New International VersionJudah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
New Living TranslationJudah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime.
English Standard VersionThen Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
Berean Standard BibleThen Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
King James BibleAnd Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
New King James VersionSo Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
New American Standard BibleAnd Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?
NASB 1995Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?
NASB 1977And Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Judah said to his brothers, “What gain is it that we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
Amplified BibleJudah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood (murder)?
Christian Standard BibleJudah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Judah said to his brothers, “What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
American Standard VersionAnd Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
Contemporary English VersionSo Judah said, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and hide his body?
English Revised VersionAnd Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJudah asked his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up his death?
Good News TranslationJudah said to his brothers, "What will we gain by killing our brother and covering up the murder?
International Standard VersionThen Judah suggested to his brothers, "Where's the profit in just killing our brother and shedding his blood?
NET BibleThen Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
New Heart English BibleThen Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Judah said to his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
World English BibleJudah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Judah says to his brothers, “What gain when we slay our brother, and have concealed his blood?
Young's Literal Translation And Judah saith unto his brethren, 'What gain when we slay our brother, and have concealed his blood?
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Judah will say to his brethren, What the profit that we shall kill our brother, and conceal his blood? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Juda said to his brethren: What will it profit us to kill our brother, and conceal his blood?
Catholic Public Domain VersionTherefore, Judah said to his brothers: “What will it profit us, if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?
New American BibleJudah said to his brothers: “What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood?
New Revised Standard VersionThen Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Judah said to his brothers, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Yehuda his brother said, “What profit is there that we kill our brother and conceal his blood? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Judah said unto his brethren: 'What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Judas said to his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Joseph Sold by His Brothers… 25And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. 26Then Judahsaidtohis brothers,“Whatprofit will we gainifwe killour brotherand cover uphis blood?27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.…
Cross References Acts 7:9Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him
Matthew 27:3-4When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
Genesis 42:21-22Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
Genesis 45:4-5Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.
Genesis 50:20As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.
Psalm 105:17He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.
John 11:47-50Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...
Genesis 49:5-7Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. / May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. / Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
Amos 2:6This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Zechariah 11:12-13Then I told them, “If it seems right to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” So they weighed out my wages, thirty pieces of silver. / And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Matthew 26:14-16Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Mark 14:10-11Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.
Luke 22:3-6Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...
John 18:2-3Now Judas His betrayer also knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples. / So Judas brought a band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees. They arrived at the garden carrying lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Genesis 44:16-18“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.” / But Joseph replied, “Far be it from me to do this. The man who was found with the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may return to your father in peace.” / Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself.
Treasury of Scripture And Judah said to his brothers, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? What profit. Genesis 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, Iam at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Psalm 30:9 What profitis there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Jeremiah 41:8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren. conceal. Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. Deuteronomy 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke,being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; Jump to Previous BloodConcealConcealedCoverCoveringDeathGainJudahKillProfitPuttingSlayJump to Next BloodConcealConcealedCoverCoveringDeathGainJudahKillProfitPuttingSlayGenesis 37 1.Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.5.His dreams and the interpretation.12.Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.21.At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;25.and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites;29.while Ruben grieves at not finding him.31.His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.36.Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.Then Judah said to his brothersJudah, the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, emerges as a leader among his brothers. This moment foreshadows his future prominence, as the tribe of Judah becomes central in Israel's history, eventually leading to the Davidic line and the birth of Jesus Christ. Judah's role here is pivotal, as he suggests an alternative to murder, showing a mix of pragmatism and moral consideration. What profit will we gain
The question of profit reflects the brothers' materialistic and self-serving mindset. In the ancient Near Eastern context, familial loyalty was paramount, yet here, financial gain is considered over fraternal bonds. This phrase highlights the moral decline within Jacob's family, setting the stage for their eventual redemption and reconciliation. if we kill our brother
The intent to kill Joseph reveals the depth of the brothers' jealousy and hatred. This act would have been a grave sin, violating the sanctity of life as established inGenesis 9:6. The phrase underscores the severity of their initial plan and the potential for fratricide, echoing the story of Cain and Abel. and cover up his blood?
The idea of covering up blood alludes to the biblical principle that bloodshed cries out for justice, as seen inGenesis 4:10. This phrase suggests an awareness of guilt and the need to conceal wrongdoing, reflecting the brothers' internal conflict. It also foreshadows the eventual exposure of their sin, as hidden sins are often revealed in biblical narratives. Persons / Places / Events 1. JudahOne of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah plays a pivotal role in the account of Joseph. He is the fourth son of Leah and Jacob and later becomes the forefather of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ are descended. 2. JosephThe favored son of Jacob, Joseph is the central figure in this chapter. His brothers are envious of him due to Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's dreams, which suggest he will rule over them. 3. The BrothersThe other sons of Jacob, who are envious and resentful of Joseph. They initially plot to kill him but are persuaded by Judah to sell him into slavery instead. 4. DothanThe place where Joseph finds his brothers and where they plot against him. It is located in the northern part of ancient Israel. 5. The PitA cistern or dry well where Joseph is thrown by his brothers before being sold into slavery. It symbolizes the depths of betrayal and despair. Teaching Points The Power of InfluenceJudah's suggestion to sell Joseph instead of killing him demonstrates the power of influence. Our words and actions can significantly impact the lives of others, for better or worse. God's Sovereignty in Human DecisionsDespite the brothers' sinful intentions, God uses their actions to fulfill His greater plan. This reminds us that God can work through our mistakes and failures. The Consequences of Envy and HatredThe brothers' envy leads to a series of sinful actions. We must guard our hearts against envy and seek contentment in God's provision. Redemption and ForgivenessJudah's later actions in Genesis show a transformation and willingness to sacrifice for his family. This foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ and encourages us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. The Importance of FamilyThe account highlights the complexities of family relationships and the need for grace, understanding, and forgiveness within our families. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37
Who was Judah in the Bible?
How do trials test and strengthen your faith?
How should we respond to betrayal and deceit?
How does Joseph’s claim that God orchestrated his enslavement (Genesis 45:5,8) reconcile with human free will and moral responsibility?Verses 26, 27. - And Judah (apparently shrinking from the idea of murder) said unto his brethren, What profit is it if (literally, what of advantage that) we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? (i.e. and hide the fact of his murder). Come, and let us sell himto the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him (literally, and our hand, let it not be upon him, i.e. to slay him); for he isour brother and our flesh - or, more expressly, our brother and our flesh he (cf. Genesis 29:14). And hisbrethren were content - literally, hearkened, viz., to the proposal.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then Judahיְהוּדָ֖ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelitessaidוַיֹּ֥אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, saytoאֶל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, tohis brothers,אֶחָ֑יו(’e·ḥāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )“Whatמַה־(mah-)Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatprofit will we gainבֶּ֗צַע(be·ṣa‘)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1215:Gain made by violence, unjust gain, profitifכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionwe killנַהֲרֹג֙(na·hă·rōḡ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2026:To smite with deadly intentour brotherאָחִ֔ינוּ(’ā·ḥî·nū)Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 251:A brother, )and cover upוְכִסִּ֖ינוּ(wə·ḵis·sî·nū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3680:To plump, fill up hollows, to coverhis blood?דָּמֽוֹ׃(dā·mōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1818:Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed
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OT Law: Genesis 37:26 Judah said to his brothers What profit (Gen. Ge Gn) |
