Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
Download the book in PDF, ePub, Kindle for a complete version.
Reuben thought himself undone, because the child was sold: I, whither shall I go? Ge 37:30. He being the eldest, his father would expect from him an account of Joseph; but, as it proved, they would all have been undone if he had not been sold.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and
looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmaelites came from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, what profit is it if we slay our
brother, and conceal his blood?
27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand
be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh: and his brethren were content.
28 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.
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in
the pit; and he rent his clothes.
30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, the child is not; and
I, whither shall I go?
31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and
dipped the coat in the blood;
Joseph would soon be missed, great enquiry would be made for him, and therefore his brethren have a further design, to make the world believe that Joseph was torn in pieces by a wild beast; and this they did,
1. To clear themselves, that they might not be suspected to have done him any mischief. Note, We have all learned of Adam to cover our transgression, Job 31:33. When the devil has taught men to commit one sin, he then teaches them to conceal it with another, theft and murder with lying and perjury; but he that covers his sin shall not prosper long. Joseph's brethren kept their own and one another's counsel for some time, but their villany came to light at last, and it is here published to the world, and the remembrance of it transmitted to every age.