Genesis 37:28 - Exposition

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 between five and twenty (Le Genesis 27:5 ), the average price of a slave being thirty shekels ( Ezekiel 21:32 ), and Joseph only bringing twenty because he was a lad (Kurtz), because the Midianites desired to make money by the transaction (Keil), perhaps because-his brethren wished to avoid the reproach of having acted from love of gain (Gerlach), but most probably because Joseph's brethren cared little what they had for him, if so be they were rid of him (Lawson). On the term keseph vide Genesis 20:16 . And they brought Joseph into Egypt —where they in turn disposed of their purchase, doubtless at a profit (verse 36).