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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 37:23-30

We have here the execution of their plot against Joseph. 1. They stripped him, each striving to seize the envied coat of many colours, Gen. 37:23. Thus, in imagination, they degraded him from the birthright, of which perhaps this was the badge, grieving him, affronting their father, and making themselves sport, while they insulted over him. ?Now, Joseph, where is the fine coat?? Thus our Lord Jesus was stripped of his seamless coat, and thus his suffering saints have first been industriously... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:28

Then there passed by Midianites, merchantmen ,.... The same with the Ishmaelites before mentioned, as appears from the latter part of this verse; for as these were near neighbours, so they might join together in merchandise, and travel in company for greater safety, and are sometimes called the one, and sometimes the other, as well as they might mix together in their habitations and marriages; and are hence called Arabians by the Targums, as before observed, and so by Josephus, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:28

For twenty pieces of silver - In the Anglo-Saxon it is thirty pence. This, I think, is the first instance on record of selling a man for a slave; but the practice certainly did not commence now, it had doubtless been in use long before. Instead of pieces, which our translators supply, the Persian has miskal , which was probably intended to signify a shekel; and if shekels be intended, taking them at three shillings each, Joseph was sold for about three pounds sterling. I have known a whole... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 37:28

Verse 28 28.Then there passed by Midianites. Some think that Joseph was twice sold in the same place. For it is certain, since Median was the son of Abraham and Keturah, that his sons were distinct from the sons of Ishmael: and Moses has not thoughtlessly put down these different names. (135) But I thus interpret the passage: that Joseph was exposed for sale to any one who chose, and seeing the purchase of him was declined by the Midianites, he was sold to the Ishmaelites. Moreover, though they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:1-36

The representative man. Jacob may be said to fall into the background from this time until his parting benediction. The kingdom of God is represented in Joseph and his history. The main points in this chapter are— I. GOD 'S DISTINGUISHING GRACE TO JOSEPH , separating him from his brethren in character, in his father's affection, in the method of his life, in' the communications of the Spirit. Joseph is the type of the believer, faithful to the covenant, amongst both the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:26-36

Joseph carried by Midianites to Egypt. I. THE INFAMOUS SALE . 1. The wicked proposal . "Come, and let us sell him. By whatever motives Judah was actuated, the notion that either he or his brethren had a right thus to dispose of Joseph's life was not simply an open violation of the Divine law which constituted all men with equal fights, and in particular made every man his brother's keeper, not his brother's destroyer or proprietor, but a hideous discovery of the utter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:28

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen ;—literally, and passed by the men, Midianites (by country), merchants (by profession). On the different appellations given to the traders vide infra , Genesis 37:36 — and they —not the Midianites (Davidson), but Joseph's brethren— drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver —literally, for twenty (sc. shekels) of silver— L2 10s.; the price afterwards fixed for a boy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 37:28

Drawn from the pit. "And they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit." As a compromise Joseph had been thrown into a pit. His brothers at first intended to murder him. Their intention was almost as bad as a murder. The Scriptures tell us that "he that hateth his brother is a murderer." And one writer says, "Many a man who has not taken a brother's life, by indulgence of malevolence, is in the sight of God a more sinful man than many who have expiated their guilt on a scaffold." Joseph... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 37:1-36

- Joseph Was Sold into Egypt17. דתין dotayı̂n Dothain, “two wells?” (Gesenius)25. נכאת neko't “tragacanth” or goat’s-thorn gum, yielded by the “astragalus gummifer”, a native of Mount Lebanon. צרי tsērı̂y “opobalsamum,” the resin of the balsam tree, growing in Gilead, and having healing qualities. לט loṭ, λῆδον lēdon, “ledum, ladanum,” in the Septuagint στακτή staktē. The former is a gum produced from the cistus rose. The latter is a gum resembling liquid myrrh.36. פוטיפר pôṭı̂yphar... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 37:1-36

37:1-50:26 FAMILY GROWTH AND THE MOVE TO EGYPTJoseph taken to Egypt (37:1-36)God had told Abraham that his descendants would become slaves in a foreign land, and would remain there till Canaan was ready for judgment. Then they would destroy the Canaanites and possess their land (see 15:13-16). The long story of Joseph shows how God was directing events according to his preannounced purposes.Being the father’s favourite, Joseph was not popular with his ten older brothers. He was even less... read more

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