Genesis 37:28

King James Version (KJV)

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Translations

Genesis 37:28 - Amplified Bible

Then as the Midianite [and Ishmaelite] merchants were passing by, the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the well. And they sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph [captive] into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - American Standard Version

And there passed by Midianites, merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - Bible in Basic English

And some traders from Midian went by; so pulling Joseph up out of the hole, they gave him to the Ishmaelites for twenty bits of silver, and they took him to Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - Darby Bible

And Midianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver-pieces; and they brought Joseph to Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - English Standard Version

Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - King James Version

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - La Biblia de las Americas

Pasaron entonces unos mercaderes madianitas, y ellos sacaron a José, subiéndolo del pozo, y vendieron a José a los ismaelitas por veinte piezas de plata. Y éstos llevaron a José a Egipto.

Genesis 37:28 - The Message

By that time the Midianite traders were passing by. His brothers pulled Joseph out of the cistern and sold him for twenty pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites who took Joseph with them down to Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - New American Standard Bible

Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled {him} up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty {shekels} of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Pasaron entonces los mercaderes Madianitas, y ellos sacaron a José, subiéndolo del pozo, y vendieron a José a los Ismaelitas por veinte monedas de plata. Y éstos se llevaron a José a Egipto.

Genesis 37:28 - World English Bible

Midianites who were merchants passed by, and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. They brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - Young's Living Translation

And Midianite merchantmen pass by and they draw out and bring up Joseph out of the pit, and sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silverlings, and they bring Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 37:28 - Additional Comments

See notes on Midian in Exo 2:15.
Interesting that this event was done completely with evil intent, but God worked the event for a tremendous good (Gen 50:20). This is a perfect example of Rom 8:28 - God works all things for good to those who love Him.
He was persecuted, but not forsaken - 2 Cor 4:8-9. There is nothing that can separate us from His love (Rom 8:38-39).
Even though the text here does not reveal Joseph's reaction to all that the brothers were doing, we see that later in Gen 42:21. Joseph did not like it one bit - he was in anguish, and was pleading with his brothers to not do what they were doing. Yet, we know he was still trusting God, keeping the faith, for we see God was with Him, helping Him (39:2).
So, how would you have reacted when the brothers did what they did? And what thoughts would have been going through your mind, your soul, as you travelled the long journey to Egypt? Would you have been planning to do what Jesus asked in Matt 5:41-48? This is command, His desire for us. Now that you have pictured how you may have reacted, now picture yourself reacting as Jesus requested.
Note that it is okay for your soul to be in turmoil when you are facing trials, when you are in difficult circumstances. We see Joseph react that way here, we see Jacob react that way when he hears of Joseph's death (Gen 37:34), and we see Jesus react that way as He was getting ready to face his final day on earth - he was extreme agony, to the point of sweating drops of blood (Luke 22:44). But then, despite the agony and anguish, we have a choice to make on how we react to the trouble.
Joseph may have had certain expectations based on his dreams. Maybe he pictured becoming in charge of all his father's flocks, and becoming the senior shepherd, Once this happened, his dreams must have been dashed. Have you ever had a dream, a mojor goal, and at some point, you realize (either through over time or based on an event) that it won't happen?
Or have you simply faced a mid-life crisis? This is the point in a man's life where he comes to the realization that he is no longer the 25 year old, where he is actually *old*. It's a punch right betwen the eyes, when he realizes he no longer has the youthfulness he used to have. This can happen to any man, typically between the ages of 40 and 60. It can result in womanizing, looking for a sportier life style, or setting up a reclusive getaway, often without his wife. It could be were he sees his life heading in a certain direction different than what he envisioned, and he often places his wife as one to blame, even though it has nothing to do with her. He may feel his life is no longer in control. Again we have to ask, if and when this hits you, how are you going to react?
See 1 Pet 4:19. In everything, commit it to God, turn it over to Him, give Him control. This includes your job, your income, your wife, your kids, your health, your aging, etc. Jesus did this - 1 Peter 2:23. Do this every morning.

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