Who brought Joseph to Egypt: the Ishmaelites who bought him (Genesis 37:28), the Midianites who sold him (Genesis 37:36), or his brothers who sold him (Genesis 45:4)?

Origins of the Account

The story of Joseph’s journey to Egypt appears in Genesis 37–50. These chapters describe how Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, was sold into slavery and later rose to a position of leadership in Egypt. The sequence of events sparks an important question: “Who actually took Joseph to Egypt?” Several verses in Genesis mention “Ishmaelites” and “Midianites,” which has led to discussions regarding the identity of the traders who brought Joseph across the borders.

Examination of Key Scriptural Passages

1. Genesis 37:28

“So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, and they took Joseph to Egypt.”

This verse contains both the term “Midianite traders” and also mentions that Joseph was sold “to the Ishmaelites.” In a single verse, two groups seem to be identified: Midianites and Ishmaelites. It states that the Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt, having purchased him for twenty shekels of silver.

2. Genesis 37:36

“Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.”

Here, the Midianites are highlighted as those responsible for selling Joseph once he arrived in Egypt. This verse emphasizes that it was the Midianites handling the transaction with one of Pharaoh’s officials named Potiphar.

3. Genesis 45:4

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please come closer,’ and they did so. ‘I am Joseph your brother,’ he said, ‘the one you sold into Egypt!’”

Joseph addresses his brothers and reminds them that they were the ones who instigated the sale into Egypt. Although Joseph mentions “you sold [me] into Egypt,” he is clearly referencing their complicity in surrendering him to traders who were en route to Egypt.

Possible Explanations

1. Mixed Caravans and Interchangeable Terms

It was not uncommon in the ancient Near East for groups of traders to consist of multiple tribal or ethnic affiliations. “Midianites” and “Ishmaelites” could be overlapping terms referring to one caravan with a blend of tribal backgrounds (cf. Judges 8:22–24, where “Ishmaelites” and “Midianites” appear closely intertwined). It is possible both names applied to the same people, or people from two closely allied groups traveling together.

2. Sequential Transactions

Some suggest that the Midianites first took Joseph out of the pit, then quickly sold him to Ishmaelites, who ultimately transported Joseph to Egypt. When Genesis 37:36 later states that the Midianites “sold Joseph in Egypt,” it may be describing the final transaction upon reaching Egyptian territory. Alternatively, the text might compact these stages into a single narrative for brevity, attributing the act to both groups because they each had a hand in Joseph’s travel to Egypt and subsequent sale to Potiphar.

3. Emphasis on the Brothers’ Guilt

When Joseph says, “I am Joseph your brother, the one you sold into Egypt!” (Genesis 45:4), he places moral responsibility directly on his brothers. The biblical writers can attribute the transport of Joseph to both Midianites and Ishmaelites, but the ultimate cause—Joseph’s betrayal—rests on his brothers’ decision to sell him in the first place.

Significance in Biblical Theology

1. Divine Providence

Despite the confusion about who exactly carried Joseph to Egypt, Scripture consistently teaches that God used these events for a larger purpose. Joseph himself declares: “You intended evil against me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). The storyline emphasizes God’s sovereign hand in guiding Joseph’s journey, ultimately positioning him to save many lives during a severe famine.

2. The Role of Joseph in Redemptive History

Joseph’s move to Egypt paves the way for Jacob’s entire family to relocate there. This event eventually leads to the birth of the nation of Israel under bondage, followed by the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 1–14). Joseph’s sale into Egypt is more than an isolated family drama; it is a pivotal turning point in the biblical narrative of redemption.

3. Human Responsibility and Divine Guidance

Though the texts differ in naming who physically brought Joseph to Egypt, the moral of the account remains consistent: Joseph’s siblings bore guilt for their betrayal, but God orchestrated the outcome for good. Human decisions—even grievous ones—cannot override the purposeful plan laid out in Scripture.

Conclusion

Who brought Joseph to Egypt? From a straightforward reading of Genesis 37, one sees that “Ishmaelites” are named as those carrying Joseph down to Egypt, yet “Midianites” are also mentioned as key players in his sale. In sum, the Midianites may have passed him to Ishmaelites (or the two groups worked together), and they collectively transported Joseph to Egypt. Genesis 45:4 places ultimate responsibility on the brothers for instigating Joseph’s entrance into the slave trade.

Whether Midianites, Ishmaelites, or both, Scripture underscores that God was guiding the process. The seeming dual reference simply reflects ancient trade practices and overlapping tribal identities, while the message of divine sovereignty remains intact: through human failings, the Creator accomplished His plan to preserve lives and shape history for His glory.