Genesis 37:27
New International Version
Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

New Living Translation
Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed.

English Standard Version
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

Berean Standard Bible
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened.

New American Standard Bible
Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

NASB 1995
“Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

NASB 1977
“Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened.

Amplified Bible
Come, let us [instead] sell him to these Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and not lay our hands on him, because he is our brother and our flesh.” So his brothers listened to him and agreed.

Christian Standard Bible
Come on, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and his brothers agreed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh,” and they agreed.

American Standard Version
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brethren hearkened unto him.

Contemporary English Version
Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother." And the others agreed.

English Revised Version
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brethren hearkened unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites. Let's not hurt him, because he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.

Good News Translation
Let's sell him to these Ishmaelites. Then we won't have to hurt him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed,

International Standard Version
Come on! Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites! That way, we won't have laid our hands on him. After all, he's our brother, our own flesh." So Judah's brothers listened to him.

Majority Standard Bible
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.

NET Bible
Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let's not lay a hand on him, for after all, he is our brother, our own flesh." His brothers agreed.

New Heart English Bible
Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our flesh. "And his brothers agreed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh: and his brethren were content.

World English Bible
Come, and let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not let our hand be on him; for he is our brother, our flesh.” His brothers listened to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Come, and we sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hands are not on him, for he [is] our brother—our flesh”; and his brothers listen.

Young's Literal Translation
Come, and we sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hands are not on him, for he is our brother -- our flesh;' and his brethren hearken.

Smith's Literal Translation
Come, and we will sell him to the Ishmaelites, and our hand shall not be upon him; for he our brother, our flesh: and his brethren will hear.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is better that he be sold to the Ismaelites, and that our hands be not defiled: for he is our brother and our flesh. His brethren agreed to his words.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and then our hands will not be defiled. For he is our brother and our flesh.” His brothers agreed to his words.

New American Bible
Come, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed.

New Revised Standard Version
Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Come, let us sell him to the Arabians, and let us not harm him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers listened to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Come, let us sell him to the Arabs, and our hand will not be on him, because he is our brother and our flesh”, and his brothers listened to him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh.' And his brethren hearkened unto him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Come, let us sell him to these Ismaelites, but let not our hands be upon him, because he is our brother and our flesh; and his brethren hearkened.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
26Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. 28So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.…

Cross References
Genesis 45:4-5
Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Acts 7:9
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

Psalm 105:17
He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.

Matthew 27:3-4
When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

Acts 2:23
He was delivered up by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Genesis 42:21-22
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

Genesis 49:26
The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.

1 Samuel 18:17
Then Saul said to David, “Here is my older daughter Merab. I will give her to you in marriage. Only be valiant for me and fight the LORD’s battles.” But Saul was thinking, “I need not raise my hand against him; let the hand of the Philistines be against him.”

1 Samuel 19:1
Then Saul ordered his son Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. But Jonathan delighted greatly in David,

2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” / So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” / “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” ...

Proverbs 1:11-14
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. / We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. ...

Isaiah 53:3-4
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Jeremiah 18:18
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”


Treasury of Scripture

Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be on him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brothers were content.

sell him.

Genesis 37:22
And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

Exodus 21:16,21
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death…

Nehemiah 5:8
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

let not.

1 Samuel 18:17
And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD'S battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

2 Samuel 11:14-17
And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah…

2 Samuel 12:9
Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

he is our.

Genesis 29:14
And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Genesis 42:21
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

were content.

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Genesis 37
1. Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.
5. His dreams and the interpretation.
12. Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.
21. At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;
25. and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;
29. while Ruben grieves at not finding him.
31. His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.
36. Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.














Come, let us sell him
The phrase begins with an invitation to action, "Come," which in Hebrew is "לְכוּ" (lechu), suggesting a collective decision-making process among Joseph's brothers. The act of selling Joseph, "נִמְכְּרֶנּוּ" (nimkerennu), reflects a transactional mindset, reducing a human life to a commodity. This decision is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Joseph's journey to Egypt, a key event in the unfolding of God's providential plan. Historically, the selling of individuals into slavery was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, and this act by Joseph's brothers highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by God's people.

to the Ishmaelites
The Ishmaelites, descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, are mentioned here as the traders to whom Joseph is sold. This connection to Ishmael is significant, as it ties back to the broader narrative of Abraham's descendants and the complex relationships between them. The Ishmaelites were known as traders, often traveling in caravans, which aligns with the historical context of nomadic trade routes in the region. This mention underscores the interconnectedness of the biblical family lines and the unfolding of God's promises through unexpected means.

and not lay a hand on him
This phrase, "אַל־תִּשְׁלְחוּ־בּוֹ יָד" (al-tishlechu-bo yad), indicates a decision to refrain from direct violence against Joseph. It reflects a moment of restraint and perhaps a glimmer of conscience among the brothers. In the broader scriptural context, the act of laying hands on someone often implies harm or judgment. Here, the brothers choose a less violent, albeit still morally questionable, course of action. This decision preserves Joseph's life, allowing God's plan for him to unfold in Egypt.

for he is our brother, our own flesh
The acknowledgment of Joseph as "our brother, our own flesh" (כִּי־אָחִינוּ בְשָׂרֵנוּ הוּא, ki-achinu besareinu hu) highlights the familial bond that, despite their jealousy and anger, still holds some sway over the brothers' actions. This recognition of shared kinship is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of family and the moral obligations it entails. It serves as a reminder of the inherent value and dignity of every person, created in the image of God, and the call to love and protect one another.

And they agreed
The phrase "וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶחָיו" (vayishme'u echav) indicates consensus among the brothers. This agreement marks a turning point in the narrative, as it leads to Joseph's descent into Egypt, where he will eventually rise to a position of great influence. The brothers' agreement, while rooted in sin, ultimately serves God's greater purpose, illustrating the mysterious ways in which God can work through human actions, even those that are morally flawed, to bring about His divine will. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the hope that He can redeem even the darkest situations for His glory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Come,
לְכ֞וּ (lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

let us sell
וְנִמְכְּרֶ֣נּוּ (wə·nim·kə·ren·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4376: To sell

him to the Ishmaelites
לַיִּשְׁמְעֵאלִ֗ים (lay·yiš·mə·‘ê·lîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3459: Ishmaelites -- descendant of Ishmael

and not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

lay
תְּהִי־ (tə·hî-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a hand on him;
וְיָדֵ֙נוּ֙ (wə·yā·ḏê·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
ה֑וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is our brother,
אָחִ֥ינוּ (’ā·ḥî·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

our own flesh.”
בְשָׂרֵ֖נוּ (ḇə·śā·rê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1320: Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man

And they
אֶחָֽיו׃ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

agreed.
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֖וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently


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OT Law: Genesis 37:27 Come and let's sell him to (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 37:26
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