Genesis 37:27 Meaning and Explanation
“Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah proposes selling Joseph to the Ishmeelites instead of killing him, and the brothers agree.
The Context of Genesis 37:27
The brothers decide to sell Joseph to the Ishmeelites instead of killing him.
What Does Genesis 37:27 Mean?
Judah proposes a solution: sell Joseph to the Ishmeelite merchants. This way, their hands are not stained with blood—they are not murderers—yet Joseph is removed from their lives forever. Judah even appeals to kinship: 'he is our brother and our flesh,' softening the cruelty with a veneer of restraint.
The brothers accept the plan. They will betray their brother, but they will do it through commerce rather than violence, soothing their consciences slightly. Yet selling a brother into slavery is not redemptive; it is exchange of cruelty for money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 37:27
What does Genesis 37:27 mean?
Judah proposes selling Joseph to the Ishmeelites instead of killing him, and the brothers agree.
What is the context of Genesis 37:27?
The brothers decide to sell Joseph to the Ishmeelites instead of killing him.