Book of Genesis - Chapter 37 - Verse 28

Genesis 37:28 recounts the pivotal moment in Joseph's life when he was betrayed by his brothers and ultimately sold into slavery. This event marks the beginning of Joseph's remarkable journey that would eventually lead him to become a powerful ruler in Egypt. The passage highlights the themes of jealousy, betrayal, and ultimately divine intervention. The Midianite merchantmen passing by represent the fateful turning point in Joseph's life, as they are the ones who lift him out of the pit and sell him to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver. This act of selling Joseph into slavery foreshadows his future rise to power in Egypt, where he will eventually save his family from famine. The story of Joseph serves as a powerful lesson in resilience, faith, and the belief that even in the face of betrayal and hardship, God's plan is always at work.

Upon theological interpretation of this verse from the Book of Genesis, it is important to note the symbolism and foreshadowing of Joseph's experience mirroring the future story of Jesus Christ. In this passage, Joseph's betrayal by his brothers and being sold for twenty pieces of silver reflects Judas' betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The act of being sold into slavery and brought into Egypt can also be seen as a prefiguration of Jesus' own journey to Egypt as a child to escape King Herod's wrath. Additionally, the mention of Midianites and Ishmaelites as the ones responsible for Joseph's sale can serve as a reminder of the diverse cast of characters involved in God's plan for salvation, encompassing people from different nations and backgrounds.