To whom did the Midianites sell Joseph? To the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28) To Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (Genesis 37:36) Historical and Biblical Background Genesis offers a detailed account of Joseph’s life, including how his brothers plotted against him and how he ended up in Egypt. The question arises from two closely related verses that seem to attribute Joseph’s sale to different parties: • “So when the Midianite merchants 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.” (Genesis 37:28) • “Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.” (Genesis 37:36) On the surface, this can look like a discrepancy between whether the Midianites sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites, or directly to Potiphar. Examining the cultural, textual, and historical context helps resolve the question. Key Passages in Genesis “So when the Midianite merchants 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.” This verse highlights two groups: “Midianite merchants” and “Ishmaelites.” Here, many interpret that Joseph’s brothers made the agreement (for twenty shekels of silver) with these traveling merchants, identified as Ishmaelites who were heading toward Egypt. “Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.” This passage states that the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar. Another closely related verse, Genesis 39:1, tells us that Potiphar “purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.” These verses taken together point to either an interchange of terms or a joint caravan operation involving the Midianites and Ishmaelites. Genealogical and Cultural Considerations 1. Common Ancestry: Both Midian and Ishmael were descendants of Abraham (see Genesis 25:1–2 for Midian as a son of Abraham by Keturah, and Genesis 16:15 for Ishmael as a son of Abraham by Hagar). Because of shared lineage, the terms Midianites and Ishmaelites could be used somewhat interchangeably for groups in the region. 2. Interchangeable Ethnic Labels: In Judges 8:22–28, the Midianites are closely connected with the Ishmaelites when Gideon refers to the golden earrings worn by the Ishmaelites, yet these spoils come from the Midianites (Judges 8:24). This indicates that, in some contexts, “Midianites” and “Ishmaelites” might have been overlapping designations or used synonymously. Possible Explanations for the Text 1. Same Group, Two Names: One straightforward resolution is to see both “Midianites” and “Ishmaelites” as designations for the same general caravan. The individuals who transported Joseph and sold him in Egypt could be described under either name, reflecting their mixed heritage or alliance. 2. Sequential Transactions: Another approach posits two different transactions. Joseph’s brothers could have made the initial trade with Midianite merchants (called Ishmaelites in verse 28). Later, once in Egypt, those merchants (the same group or associated traveling tradesmen) sold Joseph to Potiphar. Thus, Genesis 37:36 shortens the account and refers to the Midianites making the sale, while Genesis 37:28 emphasizes the Ishmaelites’ involvement in taking Joseph to Egypt. 3. Textual Harmony: When considered as a single historical thread, the combined passages show that Joseph was first taken by a traveling merchant group (identified interchangeably as Ishmaelites or Midianites) and ultimately sold to Potiphar. These details cohere with Genesis 39:1, which affirms that Potiphar “purchased him from the Ishmaelites.” Archaeological and Manuscript Support 1. Consistent Manuscript Tradition: The Masoretic Text, the Dead Sea Scrolls fragments, and early translations (Septuagint, ancient Targums) present these verses consistently without indication of contradictory wording. This consistency demonstrates how ancient readers and translators preserved the nuance that these groups could be identified interchangeably. 2. Nomadic Caravans in Ancient Near East: Extra-biblical records and archaeological finds document robust trade routes through Canaan to Egypt. Multiple tribal confederations often traveled together or overlapped in commerce. Such evidence reinforces that caravans in the region might contain members of various tribes (including Midianites and Ishmaelites), lending historical plausibility to the Genesis account. 3. Genealogical Overlaps: The genealogical references in Genesis and elsewhere in Scripture are supported by the cultural realities of intermarriage and alliances among tribal chapters descended from Abraham. Historical data showing close ties among these tribes corroborate the biblical narrative’s dual naming. Resolving the Question To the question “To whom did the Midianites sell Joseph?” in light of Genesis 37:28 and Genesis 37:36: • The immediate exchange of money happens in the presence of “Midianite merchants.” These merchants (also called Ishmaelites) transport Joseph into Egypt. • Genesis 37:36 and 39:1 show that ultimately Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, is the one who purchases Joseph in Egypt. Thus, the verses convey that Joseph was sold along the trade route by these traveling merchants—identified in both ways—and ends up under Potiphar’s ownership. The text portrays two descriptions of one overarching transaction process, not an irreconcilable discrepancy. Conclusion In answering the inquiry about who exactly received Joseph from the Midianites, Genesis highlights that Joseph’s sale involved a merchant caravan interchangeably labeled “Midianites” and “Ishmaelites.” Whether viewed as two sequential sales or the same sale detailed from different angles, the core truth remains that these traders brought Joseph to Egypt, where he was bought by Potiphar. The passages reflect the ancient Near Eastern context of tribal alliances, shared ancestry, and fluid usage of tribal names. Far from being a contradiction, the text provides a coherent snapshot of how Joseph moved from his brothers’ betrayal into Egypt, setting the stage for the unfolding of events in his life and the greater narrative preserved in Scripture. |
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