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Joseph is led away against his will as his brothers stand beside a pit and a caravan of Ishmaelites travels toward Egypt.

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Joseph Is Sold to Passing Traders

Genesis 37:1-36

The Big Idea

Jealousy and betrayal can lead to deeply harmful choices. Joseph’s brothers did wrong when they sold him, and Reuben’s desire to rescue him shows the importance of seeking what is right.

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The Bible Story

Joseph and His Brothers

Genesis 37:25–28 tells how Joseph’s brothers saw a caravan of Ishmaelites traveling toward Egypt. Judah proposed selling Joseph instead of killing him, and the brothers sold him to the passing traders. Joseph did not consent to this decision; he was taken away against his will. The passage refers to these traders as Ishmaelites. The empty pit remains part of the scene because the brothers had placed Joseph there earlier, after Reuben urged them not to kill him and intended to rescue him. The account presents the brothers’ jealousy, wrongdoing, and betrayal without explaining God’s purpose or describing what happens later.

Themes

Betrayal and loss of freedomDeception and griefFavoritism and family resentmentJealousy and wrongdoingReuben’s attempted interventionThe account’s unresolved ending

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Genesis 37:25–28 tells how Joseph’s brothers saw a caravan of Ishmaelites traveling toward Egypt. Judah proposed selling Joseph instead of killing him, and the brothers sold him to the passing traders. Joseph did not consent to this decision; he was taken away against his will. The passage refers to these traders as Ishmaelites. The empty pit remains part of the scene because the brothers had placed Joseph there earlier, after Reuben urged them not to kill him and intended to rescue him. The account presents the brothers’ jealousy, wrongdoing, and betrayal without explaining God’s purpose or describing what happens later.

Look closely

What children can notice

Joseph’s brothers stand beside the pit as a caravan of Ishmaelites travels toward Egypt. Judah gestures toward the caravan while Joseph is led away against his will, conveying loss of freedom sensitively and without depicting cruelty.

Talk together

Talk about it

  • What harmful choices did jealousy lead Joseph’s brothers to make?
  • How did Reuben and Judah respond differently to Joseph’s danger?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page when teaching Genesis 37:25–28 or the story of Joseph’s brothers. Invite children to notice the pit, caravan, and route toward Egypt, then discuss wrongdoing, loss of freedom, and Reuben’s attempted intervention. Keep the conversation age-appropriate and avoid adding later events or claiming that this passage explains God’s purpose.

Source note

From this passage

Genesis 37:25-28 · Joseph Sold by His Brothers

Joseph’s brothers stand beside the pit as a caravan of Ishmaelites travels toward Egypt. Judah gestures toward the caravan while Joseph is led away against his will, conveying loss of freedom sensitively and without depicting cruelty.

Continue the Story

Joseph and His Brothers

More from this story

Choose another meaningful scene to color.

Jacob presents Joseph with a distinctive long garment while Joseph’s brothers stand nearby with unhappy expressions, illustrating favoritism and family tension from Genesis 37:1–4.

Joseph Receives a Special Garment

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Joseph Shares His Dreams

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Joseph walking along a countryside path toward Dothan after an unnamed man directs him while he searches for his brothers and their flock.

Joseph Travels to Find His Brothers

Genesis 37:1-36

Joseph in an empty pit with his brothers above him, Reuben gesturing for restraint, and Joseph’s garment outside the pit.

Joseph Is Placed in the Empty Pit

Genesis 37:1-36

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Abraham Welcomes the Visitors

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Abraham Asks for Mercy

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