Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Genesis 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 37:26 Judah said to his brothers, "What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)? |
Bible Question: What was Judah's motive here? Was he truly concerned about his brothers life, was he trying to apease his conscious by getting rid of him this way instead of murdering him or was hi solely interested in the money he/they would receive from selling him? |
Bible Answer: Judah may have just been acting as a mediator between his brothers, thinking of a solution that would be the most 'reasonable', although he was acting very selfishly like his brothers in this situation. The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible states, "The brothers' plans for murder and cover-up, the fruit of hate and envy, were forestalled by two brothers: first by Reuben, who intended to affect a complete rescue (vv. 21,22), and then by Judah who, prompted by a passing merchants' caravan, proposed a profitable alternative to fratricide (vv. 25-27)." Nelson's NKJV Study Bible comments, "Reuben, as the firstborn son and principal heir, had the most to lose if Joseph's dreams came true (see Gen. 35:23). Yet Reuben intervened to spare Joseph's life. This was something of a contrast with his earlier wicked actions (Gen. 35:22). Reuben attempted to save Joseph's life by getting his brothers to leave Joseph in a pit. Without water in the pit, Joseph could only survive a few days. Reuben planned to rescue him in time. Reuben may have been motivated by a love for his father and a desire to ease the strained relationship with him that had resulted from his abuse of Bilhah (35:22; compare 49:4). Once Reuben convinced his brothers not to kill Joseph, he left (v. 29). 'What profit': The brothers not only considered killing Joseph, but started discussing how they could make the crime profitable." The NIV Study Bible adds, "As Jacob's firstborn, he felt responsible for Joseph. He would later remind his brothers of this day (Gen. 42:22). Initially Reuben's attempts to influence events seemed successful (Gen. 30:14-17). But after his arrogant incest with Bilhah (Gen. 35:22) his efforts were always ineffective (Gen. 42:37-38)- demonstrating his loss of the status of firstborn (Gen. 49:3-4). Effective leadership passed to Judah (Gen. 37:26-27; 43:3-5, 8-10; 44:14-34; 46:28; 49:8-12)." So it is possible that Judah, being the 'new leader' was acting here as a mediator, although he had his own selfish hate of Joseph, by suggesting that they sell him (make a profit) to the 'wandering gypsies' rather than to kill him, which would 'honor' Reuben's request. Either way, Judah is still acting with the intent of harm towards his brother Joseph. Regardless, God had a purpose to work through the brothers' thoughtless and cruel act (Gen. 45:5-8; see also Acts 2:23, 4:28). |
Up | Down View Branch | ID# 8805 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for Gen 37:26 | Author | ||
|
prayon | ||
|
Morant61 | ||
|
Makarios | ||
|
Makarios | ||
|
sminter |