Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Kitto Morning Bible Devotions: March 15
Today is: Thursday, April 25th, 2024 (Show Today's Devotion)
Select a Day for a Devotion in the Month of March: (Show All Months)
Genesis 39
Sent by his father to inquire after the welfare of his brothers, who were away with the flocks, they knew him afar off by his coat of many colors, and plot not only against his welfare, but his very life—regardless, not only of the bond of brotherhood between them, but of the anguish of soul they knew that the deed they contemplated would inflict upon their father. At the suggestion of Reuben, they do, however, shrink from actually murdering him on the spot; but determine to cast him into one of the cisterns which still abound in Palestine, and which are generally dry in summer, and leave him there to perish. The providential passage of a caravan of Arabian merchants, going down to the great market of Egypt, with their camels laden with the drugs and spices which have always found a ready sale in that country, suggested an equally secure and more profitable mode of disposing of him, by selling him to these merchants for a slave. This would also burden their conscience less; for bad as they were—they gradually shrank from more crime than appeared to them needful to ensure their object. The bargain was soon completed; for as their purpose was only to get rid of an obnoxious brother, they set no high price upon him, and the merchants had him for twenty pieces of silver—not so much as three pounds, if the pieces were, as generally supposed, equal to shekels of silver.
The Ishmaelite merchants knew that they carried the youth to a good market; for Egypt has always, from that day to this, remained the seat of a great mart for slaves. We have but little knowledge of the ancient condition of slaves in that country. Those who were captives of war seem, indeed, to have been badly treated; and like the Israelites eventually, had hard task work imposed upon them, under the superintendence of men who plied the stick freely when not satisfied. But the case of domestic slaves, bought with money, seems to have been very different; and in most respects similar to that of the same class at the present day in the same country. Some facts, therefore, in illustration of their present condition, may be suitably introduced here, as tending to throw some light on the position which Joseph occupied. It is to be observed, however, that white slaves, male or female, are comparatively rare in Egypt at the present day, and the statements refer chiefly to the deep brown colored slaves from the country of the Gallas, and negro slaves from Eastern Africa. Whiteness of complexion, though making a difference, less regarded in the East than with us, does better the condition of a slave, because white slaves have, from the influences of civilization, become more scarce and valuable; but as these were formerly as common in those countries as black ones are now, and perhaps more common, the condition of the white slave in ancient times was probably not materially different from that of a colored one at present.
It may be doubted from the instance before us, whether a regular slave-trade existed as at present. In other words, we cannot collect that it was then a regular business for men to go into a country for the express purpose of buying up slaves, and conducting them in gangs to the place where they are to be sold. It seems rather, that the collection of slaves was an incident of general traffic, rather than a distinct pursuit.
Joseph was about seventeen years of age. This was a good age for his value as a slave. If anything, a better price would probably have been obtained for him had he been younger, for there is a general feeling in both Egypt and Arabia, that little dependence can be placed upon slaves that have not been brought up in the family; and hence, there is a great reluctance to the purchasing of grown-up slaves for domestic purposes. Such as are above the age of fifteen, do not, at this day, bring much more than the price that was given for Joseph; and they are bought chiefly by the Bedouins, who employ them as shepherds.
The slave-dealers are said to pay great attention to the origin of the slaves, experience having taught them, that there is little variety of character among individuals of the same nation. This may be so with respect to the nations from which slaves are now usually made, which have but a few simple ideas and pursuits; for it would seem, that individuality of character among persons of the same nation, is in some degree the result of the various circumstances and influences which civilization produces. But it may be, that this discrimination of the slave-dealers, has regard to little more than the few leading points of habit and temper, which constitute what is called national character.
It may be noted, that the Mohammedan inhabitants of these countries change the names of the slaves who come into their possession, unless they have already acquired a name from a previous master. The name of Joseph was eventually changed for an Egyptian name, Gen_41:45; as those of Daniel and his companions were changed for names of Babylon, Dan_1:7.
As the dealer is afraid lest the condition of his slave, and consequently his salable value, should be deteriorated, he usually treats him well during the journey, and while he remains in his possession. They usually call him Abouy (Hebrew, Abi), “my father,” and are seldom beaten, are well fed, spoken to in a kind manner, and not over-worked. This, however, is less from humanity than to prevent them from pining, or from attempting to abscond. Those, however, who are grown up, or whose disposition has not been tried, or cannot be depended upon, are kept closely confined, well watched, and often chained. On the journey, slaves of this sort are tied to a long pole, one end of which is fastened to a camel’s saddle, and the other, which is forked, is passed on each side of the slave’s neck, and tied behind with a strong cord, so as to prevent him from drawing out his head. In addition to this, the right hand is also fastened to the pole, at a short distance from the head, thus leaving only the legs and left arm at liberty. In this manner he marches the whole day behind the camel; at night he is taken from the pole and put in irons.
There are few families in Egypt that do not possess one or two slaves. In that country, as well as in Arabia, it is rarely that a slave remains in a respectable family for a number of years, without being made free, and then he is either married to a female slave of the family, or remains voluntarily as a servant, and receives wages. It is thought a mean action to sell a slave after he has been long resident in a family; though, before he reaches the hands of the master who retains him, he usually passes through several hands. Male slaves are for the most part treated like children of the family, and always better than free servants. Female slaves are not so well off, as they suffer from the jealousy of their mistresses. If a slave behaves ill, he is degraded from domestic service, and sent into the country to labor in his master’s fields.
A slave brought up in the house, like Eliezer of Damascus, Note: See Seventh Week—Saturday. at least in southern Egypt and the lands beyond, thinks himself superior to every other person in it except the master. He is admitted to all the family councils; he is allowed to trade, or to engage in any business, on his own account; and he may, in fact, do just as he pleases, provided he proves himself a bold fellow, who may be relied upon as ready and able, in case of emergency, to wield a sword in defence of his master.
If a slave kill a free man, his master is obliged to pay the price of blood, otherwise his own family becomes exposed to the retaliation of the relations of the deceased; for the death of a slave is not considered an adequate atonement for the blood of a free man.
In Arabia and Egypt the law gives the slaves one great advantage against the harsh conduct of a master. If they are discontented, and decidedly determined not to remain with him, they have a right to insist upon being sent to the public slave-market to be re-sold. They must make this demand in the presence of witnesses, and if persevered in, it must be granted.
In connection with the abduction of Joseph, which he himself describes as his being “stolen out of the land of the Hebrews,” Gen_40:15, it may be observed, that it is not at this day in Egypt regarded as a crime, to be punished by the judges, to steal a free-born child, but it is such to steal a slave, The reason is, that the latter is property, and the former is not.
In this land of Egypt, Joseph was no doubt taken to be sold in the slave-market of the metropolitan city, where he was purchased by Potiphar, one of the king of Egypt’s officers.