With Bros Like These…: Joseph Sold By His Brothers: Genesis 37:12-36

[sealchan]

Israel (not Jacob) tells Joseph to go check on his brothers way up in Shechem. Joseph goes and does not find them. A man tells him they went on to Dothan. As Joseph approaches his brothers plot to kill him. Reuben changes it to just throw him in the pit and Judah says to sell him. Ishamaelites buy Joseph and take him to Egypt to sell to Potiphar. The brothers then bloody the robe they took from Joseph and show their father. Jacob (not Israel) is distraught and inconsolable.

Questions for discussion:

• With brothers like these who needs enemies?
• Is this event karma for Jacob/Israel’s deceptions?
• Where did Reuben go after convincing his brothers not to kill Joseph? What did he mean by (NIV) “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”
• Does Judah’s suggestion to sell Joseph remind you of any other much later story from the Bible?

 

[sealchan]

So why would Joseph's brothers go to the extreme of contemplating the murder of their brother? Is preferential treatment somehow an inducement to murder?

This recalls to mind the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:3-5. Cain's motivation to murder Abel is fully based on this idea of preference of a higher authority. A similar theme can be seen in Ishmael and Isaac as children of Abraham and Jacob and Esau as children of Isaac. What is the significance of this motivation of conflict even to the point of murder attributed to preference?

 

[The Anointed]

So why would Joseph's brothers go to the extreme of contemplating the murder of their brother? Is preferential treatment somehow an inducement to murder?

This recalls to mind the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:3-5. Cain's motivation to murder Abel is fully based on this idea of preference of a higher authority. A similar theme can be seen in Ishmael and Isaac as children of Abraham and Jacob and Esau as children of Isaac. What is the significance of this motivation of conflict even to the point of murder attributed to preference?

And they sold him for THIRTY pieces of silver after having kept him in an old dry well in the bowels of the earth for three days and nights.

 

[sealchan]

And they sold him for THIRTY pieces of silver after having kept him in an old dry well in the bowels of the earth for three days and nights.

That's just cold. I'm not sure that I get why they were so cruel.

 

[The Anointed]

That's just cold. I'm not sure that I get why they were so cruel.

If you had a younger brother who was daddies little pet and who was a dreamer, who kept telling the family that all of his brothers including his parents were going to bow down before him, I don't think that you would have had much time for him either.

Especially as he was always running back to daddy, accusing his brothers of one thing or another. Like the time that a bear had attacked the portion of Jacob's livestock, of which Gad, with some of his fathers hired help, were in charge of.

Joseph who had been sent by daddy to take supplies to his other sons in the fields, arrived at Gads camp just after he had killed the bear which had a lamb in its Jaws, and seeing that the lamb was beyond any hope of surviving, he had butchered it and was eating it with the hired help. Joseph immediately ran home and told daddy that Gad was killing and eating from the flock without HIS permission or that of Reuben the firstborn son, and Gad was in trouble with his father on Joseph's account.

But apparently you are not too familiar with the scriptures that say that Joseph, like Jesus, was sold for thirty pieces of silver and sent to another country to prepare a place for his brothers, who would follow him.

 

[Deeje]

Israel (not Jacob) tells Joseph to go check on his brothers way up in Shechem.

Why do you say "Israel (not Jacob)? It was Jacob to whom God gave Jacob the name "Israel"".

Questions for discussion:

• With brothers like these who needs enemies?

Joseph's brothers had reasons to be jealous of their younger brothers. Jacob had been tricked into marrying Leah but Leah gave him six sons. But the wife he truly loved was her sister, Rachel and she had only two sons, but died having the youngest, Benjamin. Jacob favoured the sons of Rachel for obvious reasons.
The 12 sons that Jacob fathered eventually became the 12 tribes of Israel.

• Is this event karma for Jacob/Israel’s deceptions?

What deceptions? The birthright incident? It was prophesied that Jacob would be the one with God's favour. Esau was not a spiritual man....Jacob was.

• Where did Reuben go after convincing his brothers not to kill Joseph? What did he mean by (NIV) “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

Not sure about that, but Reuben was the one who saved Joseph's life. He was later disgraced for having relations with his father's concubine. Doubly disgraceful because this was the mother of 2 of his younger brothers.

• Does Judah’s suggestion to sell Joseph remind you of any other much later story from the Bible?

It was only later, when famine forced the brothers to go to Egypt for food that Joseph had an opportunity to test his brothers, who did not recognise the Egyptian Prime Minister as their brother who was sold into slavery. They passed the test, and Joseph sent for his father and all of Israel's family remained in Egypt, well fed and cared for by Joseph with the sanction of the Pharaoh.

The statement made by Joseph to his brothers when they showed remorse for what they had done, shows that Joseph understood the reason why he had been sent ahead of them. He held no animosity toward them because he saw God's hand in their actions. It was so that the family line of Jacob could be preserved unbroken, for producing the future Messiah.

In time, after Joseph's death, the Israelites found themselves under a new Pharaoh who was not disposed to treat the Hebrews kindly and used them as his slaves. Moses, who had been raised in Pharaoh's household, was later used to liberate them.

Joseph is one of my favourite Bible characters because, in spite of all that he suffered, injustice upon injustice, he never acted in revenge nor did he harbour resentment for all that he endured. He was used by God to teach us some valuable lessons about humility and the value of trustworthiness.

 

[The Anointed]

Why do you say "Israel (not Jacob)? It was Jacob to whom God gave Jacob the name "Israel"".


Joseph's brothers had reasons to be jealous of their younger brothers. Jacob had been tricked into marrying Leah but Leah gave him six sons. But the wife he truly loved was her sister, Rachel and she had only two sons, but died having the youngest, Benjamin. Jacob favoured the sons of Rachel for obvious reasons.
The 12 sons that Jacob fathered eventually became the 12 tribes of Israel.
What deceptions? The birthright incident? It was prophesied that Jacob would be the one with God's favour. Esau was not a spiritual man....Jacob was.
Not sure about that, but Reuben was the one who saved Joseph's life. He was later disgraced for having relations with his father's concubine. Doubly disgraceful because this was the mother of 2 of his younger brothers.
It was only later, when famine forced the brothers to go to Egypt for food that Joseph had an opportunity to test his brothers, who did not recognise the Egyptian Prime Minister as their brother who was sold into slavery. They passed the test, and Joseph sent for his father and all of Israel's family remained in Egypt, well fed and cared for by Joseph with the sanction of the Pharaoh.

The statement made by Joseph to his brothers when they showed remorse for what they had done, shows that Joseph understood the reason why he had been sent ahead of them. He held no animosity toward them because he saw God's hand in their actions. It was so that the family line of Jacob could be preserved unbroken, for producing the future Messiah.

In time, after Joseph's death, the Israelites found themselves under a new Pharaoh who was not disposed to treat the Hebrews kindly and used them as his slaves. Moses, who had been raised in Pharaoh's household, was later used to liberate them.

Joseph is one of my favourite Bible characters because, in spite of all that he suffered, injustice upon injustice, he never acted in revenge nor did he harbour resentment for all that he endured. He was used by God to teach us some valuable lessons about humility and the value of trustworthiness.

A good post, the only issue I have with it is the fact that Reuben raped Bilhah the mother of Dan and Naphtali, before the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel.

 

[sealchan]

If you had a younger brother who was daddies little pet and who was a dreamer, who kept telling the family that all of his brothers including his parents were going to bow down before him, I don't think that you would have had much time for him either.

Yeah, not having time for someone though is much different than wanting to kill them or sell them. Those are permanent responses to someone who is a part of your family albeit an annoying one. And then to lie to your father about it...

Especially as he was always running back to daddy, accusing his brothers of one thing or another. Like the time that a bear had attacked the portion of Jacob's livestock, of which Gad, with some of his fathers hired help, were in charge of.

Joseph who had been sent by daddy to take supplies to his other sons in the fields, arrived at Gads camp just after he had killed the bear which had a lamb in its Jaws, and seeing that the lamb was beyond any hope of surviving, he had butchered it and was eating it with the hired help. Joseph immediately ran home and told daddy that Gad was killing and eating from the flock without HIS permission or that of Reuben the firstborn son, and Gad was in trouble with his father on Joseph's account.

I'm not familiar with this story. Where is it told?

But apparently you are not too familiar with the scriptures that say that Joseph, like Jesus, was sold for thirty pieces of silver and sent to another country to prepare a place for his brothers, who would follow him.

i guess you've addressed my fourth question. I was looking for this answer.

My point here is that it seems like there is no explanation of the severity of the response of Joseph's brothers. But we do have the motif of brother killing brother throughout Genesis. So this is a sort of accepted theme that happens in the story and it may be that this is meant to tie in with a more symbolic understanding of the stories in Genesis rather than a literal one. I would even suggest that this motif has a strong mythic basis as it can be seen to be a theme in dreams as well.

Unless someone wants to explain that "back in the day" wanting to kill your brother...literally, was normal...

 

[PuerAzaelis]

What did he mean by (NIV) “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

Gen 37:21 Upon this, Ruben began scheming to save Joseph from their violence; No, he said, 22 do not take his life, there must be no bloodshed. Throw him down into this well here, far from all help, and so keep clear of any murderous act. His meaning was to rescue Joseph out of their hands, and restore him safe to his father.

Newadvent.org. (2018). HOLY BIBLE: Genesis 37. [online] Available at: HOLY BIBLE: Genesis 37 [Accessed 17 Oct. 2018].

The schemer was out-schemed - he succeeded in saving the boy's life but he failed to get back into his father's good graces.

 

[sealchan]

Why do you say "Israel (not Jacob)? It was Jacob to whom God gave Jacob the name "Israel"".

By this I meant (cryptically) that even after God gave Jacob his new name, scripture still calls Israel Jacob quite frequently. This is in stark contrast to Abram/Abraham where once Abram's name changed he was never referred to by his old name again. Why is this not the case for Israel?

Joseph's brothers had reasons to be jealous of their younger brothers. Jacob had been tricked into marrying Leah but Leah gave him six sons. But the wife he truly loved was her sister, Rachel and she had only two sons, but died having the youngest, Benjamin. Jacob favoured the sons of Rachel for obvious reasons.
The 12 sons that Jacob fathered eventually became the 12 tribes of Israel.

Yes, and this ties in my second question...Jacob's sons would be a witness to his preference for Rachel and would have eventually learned the story of how Leah became his wife. This plus the story of how Jacob stole his older brother's birthright could have created a crisis for the oldest brother.

Looking more closely at this, however, Reuben, the oldest, tries to deflect the other brothers desire to kill Joseph. The desire to kill Joseph is expressed as coming from the group of brothers and not any one in particular. This adds another level of complexity such that it is not a Reuben vs Joseph thing as we might expect but a "all brothers" vs Joseph with Reuben and Judah in a sort of dissent.

Good observation, thanks!

What deceptions? The birthright incident? It was prophesied that Jacob would be the one with God's favour. Esau was not a spiritual man....Jacob was.

Isaac and Esau were deceived by Rebecca and Jacob. Rachel and Jacob had that in common as they both had deceived their fathers by the end of the story. With parents like those would the children practice to deceive?

Not sure about that, but Reuben was the one who saved Joseph's life. He was later disgraced for having relations with his father's concubine. Doubly disgraceful because this was the mother of 2 of his younger brothers.

I find that this scripture seems to open a plot hole.

Where did Reuben go that he didn't know his brothers sold Joseph?

Yes and when I get to that later scripture it will be interesting to consider what this says about Reuben and if it ties into anything. Thanks!

It was only later, when famine forced the brothers to go to Egypt for food that Joseph had an opportunity to test his brothers, who did not recognise the Egyptian Prime Minister as their brother who was sold into slavery. They passed the test, and Joseph sent for his father and all of Israel's family remained in Egypt, well fed and cared for by Joseph with the sanction of the Pharaoh.

The statement made by Joseph to his brothers when they showed remorse for what they had done, shows that Joseph understood the reason why he had been sent ahead of them. He held no animosity toward them because he saw God's hand in their actions. It was so that the family line of Jacob could be preserved unbroken, for producing the future Messiah.

In time, after Joseph's death, the Israelites found themselves under a new Pharaoh who was not disposed to treat the Hebrews kindly and used them as his slaves. Moses, who had been raised in Pharaoh's household, was later used to liberate them.

Joseph is one of my favourite Bible characters because, in spite of all that he suffered, injustice upon injustice, he never acted in revenge nor did he harbour resentment for all that he endured. He was used by God to teach us some valuable lessons about humility and the value of trustworthiness.

Yes, this story is amazing and the ending always brings a tear to my eye. My own study is a bit narrow so I will eventually move through the entire story. I've actually been doing this work for years now starting with Genesis 1 and I've got this far. It is giving me a good deep look at scripture (up to this point anyway).

What intrigues me is what sort of character is Joseph now, at this point, in the narrative such that he would become the person he has by the end of the story? He wasn't perfect certainly as he irritated his brothers to the extreme and didn't seem to know how to not do that. I believe the author of Genesis may have had some understanding of this and may or may not have revealed what this was. Jacob and Joseph seemed like they were "smarty-pants" people who didn't know enough not to anger their older brothers. Jacob definitely learned his lesson in humility.

 

[The Anointed]

By this I meant (cryptically) that even after God gave Jacob his new name, scripture still calls Israel Jacob quite frequently. This is in stark contrast to Abram/Abraham where once Abram's name changed he was never referred to by his old name again. Why is this not the case for Israel?



Yes, and this ties in my second question...Jacob's sons would be a witness to his preference for Rachel and would have eventually learned the story of how Leah became his wife. This plus the story of how Jacob stole his older brother's birthright could have created a crisis for the oldest brother.

Looking more closely at this, however, Reuben, the oldest, tries to deflect the other brothers desire to kill Joseph. The desire to kill Joseph is expressed as coming from the group of brothers and not any one in particular. This adds another level of complexity such that it is not a Reuben vs Joseph thing as we might expect but a "all brothers" vs Joseph with Reuben and Judah in a sort of dissent.

Good observation, thanks!



Isaac and Esau were deceived by Rebecca and Jacob. Rachel and Jacob had that in common as they both had deceived their fathers by the end of the story. With parents like those would the children practice to deceive?



I find that this scripture seems to open a plot hole.

Where did Reuben go that he didn't know his brothers sold Joseph?

Yes and when I get to that later scripture it will be interesting to consider what this says about Reuben and if it ties into anything. Thanks!



Yes, this story is amazing and the ending always brings a tear to my eye. My own study is a bit narrow so I will eventually move through the entire story. I've actually been doing this work for years now starting with Genesis 1 and I've got this far. It is giving me a good deep look at scripture (up to this point anyway).

What intrigues me is what sort of character is Joseph now, at this point, in the narrative such that he would become the person he has by the end of the story? He wasn't perfect certainly as he irritated his brothers to the extreme and didn't seem to know how to not do that. I believe the author of Genesis may have had some understanding of this and may or may not have revealed what this was. Jacob and Joseph seemed like they were "smarty-pants" people who didn't know enough not to anger their older brothers. Jacob definitely learned his lesson in humility.

For a better understanding of the brothers of Joseph, download, "THE TESTAMENTS OF THE TWELVE PATRIARCHS."

Although the OT states that Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver, Gad reveals that it was he and Simeon who sold Joseph for 30 pieces of silver, hiding 10 pieces for themselves and sharing the twenty with their brothers, with which money they all bought new sandals.

It was from here that the Hebrew custom came, where a sandal would be removed and given to the purchaser of a sale. See Ruth 4: 7.

 

[Deeje]

A good post, the only issue I have with it is the fact that Reuben raped Bilhah the mother of Dan and Naphtali, before the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel.

Was it rape? It was certainly a violation, but could he have seduced Bilhah?

On his deathbed Jacob addressed all his sons in turn...."he dealt with Reuben first, saying: “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my vigor and the beginning of my generative power, the excellence of dignity and the excellence of strength. With reckless license like waters, do not you excel, because you have gone up to your father’s bed. At that time you profaned my lounge. He went up to it!”—Genesis 49:3, 4.

Jacob recalled a disqualification for Reuben that affected his future privileges. Reuben had disgraced his father. He had committed incestuous immorality with his father’s concubine, Bilhah, the maidservant of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel. This was shortly after Rachel died following her giving birth to Benjamin. The Bible record does not explain whether firstborn Reuben violated the maidservant Bilhah to prevent her from taking Rachel’s place in Jacob’s affection, thus becoming more favored than Reuben’s mother Leah, or whether Reuben acted out of sheer lust for Bilhah. It simply says: “And it came about while Israel was tabernacling in that land that once Reuben went and lay down with Bilhah his father’s concubine, and Israel got to hear of it.” (Ge 35:22) The Greek Septuagint adds: “And it appeared evil in his sight.”—Genesis 35:21, LXX, Thomson.

Reuben was not disowned and cast out for this. It was years later, when he blessed his sons, that Jacob said to Reuben, by divine inspiration: “Do not you excel.” Thus Reuben was stripped of privileges that would otherwise have been his as a firstborn son. This was because he acted with “reckless license like waters.” He proved himself either unstable like waters or turbulent and headlong like waters bursting a dam or raging down a torrent valley. Reuben should have exercised self-control. He should have shown a son’s respect for his father’s dignity and for the honor of the two sons of Bilhah, his father’s concubine."

Reuben — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

 

[Deeje]

By this I meant (cryptically) that even after God gave Jacob his new name, scripture still calls Israel Jacob quite frequently. This is in stark contrast to Abram/Abraham where once Abram's name changed he was never referred to by his old name again. Why is this not the case for Israel?

Genesis 35:9-10....after Rachel's death....
"God appeared to Jacob once again while he was coming from Padʹdan-aʹram and blessed him. 10 God said to him: “Your name is Jacob. Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel will be your name.” And he began to call him Israel."

So God called Jacob "Israel" and the passage goes on to say....

"After that Israel pulled away and pitched his tent a distance beyond the tower of Eʹder. 22 Once while Israel was dwelling in that land, Reuʹben went and lay down with Bilʹhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it."

So apparently, God called Jacob "Israel" from then on. And Jacob's descendants continued to be called the children of "Israel".

Whether Reuben violated the maidservant Bilhah to prevent her from taking Rachel’s place in Jacob’s affection and thus becoming more favored than Reuben’s mother Leah; or whether Reuben acted out of sheer lust for Bilhah, the Bible record does not explain.

 

[sealchan]

A good post, the only issue I have with it is the fact that Reuben raped Bilhah the mother of Dan and Naphtali, before the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel.

Yes this is also very interesting. It is mentioned very briefly in Genesis 35...Reuben seems precocious sexually and maybe this somehow relates to his anticipation of his birthright wanting, too much, to step into his father's shoes. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Meanwhile Joseph seems to be utterly without ambition and, in fact, extremely naive in that regard.

Birthright isn't an explicit theme in the Joseph story but it seems to maybe be a strong implicit one.

 

[sealchan]

Genesis 35:9-10....after Rachel's death....
"God appeared to Jacob once again while he was coming from Padʹdan-aʹram and blessed him. 10 God said to him: “Your name is Jacob. Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel will be your name.” And he began to call him Israel."

So God called Jacob "Israel" and the passage goes on to say....

"After that Israel pulled away and pitched f Ihis tent a distance beyond the tower of Eʹder. 22 Once while Israel was dwelling in that land, Reuʹben went and lay down with Bilʹhah his father’s concubine, and Israel heard about it."

So apparently, God called Jacob "Israel" from then on. And Jacob's descendants continued to be called the children of "Israel".

Whether Reuben violated the maidservant Bilhah to prevent her from taking Rachel’s place in Jacob’s affection and thus becoming more favored than Reuben’s mother Leah; or whether Reuben acted out of sheer lust for Bilhah, the Bible record does not explain.

I'm looking at the NIV and Genesis 35 isn't when Jacob was first renamed. But even in Genesis 35 and later (including this scripture in Genesis 37) I see an inconsistent reference to Jacob/Israel.

If i remember correctly Genesis 35 recounts what happened to Jacob/Israel earlier. I also recall this was confusing to me as the time reference wasn't very clear in the text.

Remember it is all the way back in Genesis 32:28 when Jacob is wrestling with the angel that he earns his new name. So really we have this important naming moment happening but an inconsistent usage of his name, unlike Abram/Abraham, ever since. In fact, use of the name Jacob is far more common.

 

[sealchan]

Gen 37:21 Upon this, Ruben began scheming to save Joseph from their violence; No, he said, 22 do not take his life, there must be no bloodshed. Throw him down into this well here, far from all help, and so keep clear of any murderous act. His meaning was to rescue Joseph out of their hands, and restore him safe to his father.

Newadvent.org. (2018). HOLY BIBLE: Genesis 37. [online] Available at: HOLY BIBLE: Genesis 37 [Accessed 17 Oct. 2018].

The schemer was out-schemed - he succeeded in saving the boy's life but he failed to get back into his father's good graces.

I get that Reuben was trying to look out for his brother. I'm just noting what might be an unimportant plot hole as far as where he was while his other brothers were selling him. After all given the situation, if he was really concerned why would he leave?

I find that attending to these details is often rewarded. The author of Genesis is very careful. This may be an intended question embedded in the story to cast some light on Reuben.

 

[sealchan]

For a better understanding of the brothers of Joseph, download, "THE TESTAMENTS OF THE TWELVE PATRIARCHS."

Although the OT states that Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver, Gad reveals that it was he and Simeon who sold Joseph for 30 pieces of silver, hiding 10 pieces for themselves and sharing the twenty with their brothers, with which money they all bought new sandals.

It was from here that the Hebrew custom came, where a sandal would be removed and given to the purchaser of a sale. See Ruth 4: 7.

Interesting, thanks for the reference!

 

[sealchan]

Thank you everyone for the comments so far...they have been helpful. I will return tomorrow with some more thoughts.

 

[Deeje]

Isaac and Esau were deceived by Rebecca and Jacob. Rachel and Jacob had that in common as they both had deceived their fathers by the end of the story. With parents like those would the children practice to deceive?

Genesis 25: 21-23....Isaac, like his father before him, was childless into his old age. Another way for God to prove his power in relation to the fulfilment of prophesy.....

"21 And Isaac kept on entreating Jehovah especially for his wife, because she was barren; so Jehovah let himself be entreated for him, and Re·bekʹah his wife became pregnant. 22 And the sons within her began to struggle with each other, so that she said: “If this is the way it is, just why am I alive?” With that she went to inquire of Jehovah. 23 And Jehovah proceeded to say to her: “Two nations are in your belly, and two national groups will be separated from your inward parts; and the one national group will be stronger than the other national group, and the older will serve the younger.”"

It was not a deception based on ill intent or bad motive. As the father of these two very different sons, Isaac found it difficult to favour one over the other. Esau was a hunter...a rugged masculine man who provided his family with meat and his masculine qualities most probably appealed to his father. Jacob on the other hand was a gentle soul who found favour with his mother.

Genesis 25:27-34 says....
And the boys got bigger, and Eʹsau became a man knowing how to hunt, a man of the field,* but Jacob a blameless man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac had love for Eʹsau, because it meant game in his mouth, whereas Re·bekʹah was a lover of Jacob. 29 Once Jacob was boiling up some stew, when Eʹsau came along from the field and he was tired. 30 So Eʹsau said to Jacob: “Quick, please, give me a swallow of the red—the red* there, for I am tired!” That is why his name was called Eʹdom.* 31 To this Jacob said: “Sell me, first of all, your right as firstborn!” 32 And Eʹsau continued: “Here I am simply going to die, and of what benefit to me is a birthright?”b33 And Jacob added: “Swear to me first of all!” And he proceeded to swear to him and to sell his right as firstborn to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Eʹsau bread and lentil stew, and he went to eating and drinking. Then he got up and went his way. So Eʹsau despised the birthright."

We can see here a total disregard for the birthright on Esau's part. He swore an oath to give up his birthright, "selling" it for a bowl of stew.

Right from the start, Jacob was the one who found favor with God and would supplant his brother as patriarch, priest and teacher.

The apparent deception, was in accord with God's will and a fulfillment of what God had revealed to his mother.

 

[Deeje]

I find that this scripture seems to open a plot hole.

Where did Reuben go that he didn't know his brothers sold Joseph?

I think it is helpful to understand where his brothers were and why they were there. Genesis 3:125 says "His brothers now went to pasture their father’s flock near Sheʹchem." It was a journey of about 50 miles or roughly a 4-5 day walk....but then they moved on to Dotham, some 14 miles to the north. So Joseph had to add some distance to his trek.

The account says...."Upon catching sight of Joseph at a distance, his half brothers began scheming against him, saying: “Look! Here comes that dreamer. And now come and let us kill him and pitch him into one of the waterpits.” The firstborn Reuben, however, desired to thwart the murderous plot and urged that they not kill Joseph but throw him into a dry waterpit. When Joseph arrived, they stripped him of his long striped garment and followed through on Reuben’s recommendation. Subsequently, as they were eating, a caravan of Ishmaelites came into view. By now Reuben had left. And in his absence, Judah persuaded the others that rather than killing Joseph (as they would have done by leaving him in the pit), it would be better to sell him to the passing merchants. “Hence they [Joseph’s half brothers, as indicated by the context] drew and lifted up Joseph out of the water pit and then sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver pieces. Eventually these brought Joseph into Egypt. Later Reuben returned to the waterpit and here Joseph was not in the waterpit.” (Gen. 37:18-29)

Pasturing a large flock is a big responsibility and all of the brothers were involved except Joseph and Benjamin. Joseph was sent to see how they were doing and was to bring back word to his father. When they caught sight of him, the brothers began to plot his death, such was their jealous hatred. They had no thought of how that would affect their aging father.....but they would soon find out.

Reuben persuaded the group not to kill him, but to throw him into an empty waterpit and intended to go back and rescue Joseph later.
But while Reuben was away, probably tending to the flock, the Ishmaelite caravan passed by and Judah suggested selling him as an alternative to incurring bloodguilt. So Joseph was saved on two occasions by two older brothers. It was no coincidence that this chain of events took place. Joseph was meant to go to Egypt in order to preserve the Messiah's family line. This is what Joseph realized but only when his brothers returned and showed remorse and loving concern for their father....something they had failed to do when plotting Joseph's death.

I love this story...there is so much in it....