And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
moved.
Genesis 37:4-11 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him…
Genesis 49:23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
Matthew 27:18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
sold.
Genesis 37:18-29 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him…
Genesis 45:4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.
Genesis 50:15-20 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him…
but.
Genesis 39:2,5,21-23 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian…
Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
they sold him as a slave into Egypt
Joseph's brothers sold him to Midianite traders for twenty pieces of silver (Genesis 37:28), a transaction that parallels Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). This act of selling Joseph into slavery was intended for harm, yet it was part of God's sovereign plan to preserve the family of Israel during a future famine (Genesis 50:20). Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, becomes the setting for Joseph's rise to power, illustrating God's ability to use adverse circumstances for His purposes.
But God was with him
Despite the betrayal and hardship Joseph faced, God's presence remained with him, providing protection and favor (Genesis 39:2-3, 21). This phrase emphasizes God's faithfulness and sovereignty, themes that resonate throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10). Joseph's life is a testament to God's providential care and serves as a type of Christ, who also experienced suffering and rejection but was ultimately exalted (Philippians 2:8-9). The assurance of God's presence is a promise to all believers, offering comfort and strength in times of trial (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28).
Acts 7:9 opens by pointing to the motive: “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph…” Jealousy is a corrosive sin that blinds people to God’s purposes.
• Genesis 37:3-11 recounts Joseph’s God-given dreams and his father’s favor—clear triggers for his brothers’ envy.
• James 3:14-16 warns that “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” lead to “disorder and every evil practice.”
• Proverbs 14:30 calls envy “rottenness to the bones.”
Stephen’s sermon (Acts 7) uses this jealousy to show how Israel’s leaders have historically resisted the very people God raises up to deliver them—foreshadowing their rejection of Christ.
“…they sold him as a slave into Egypt.” What began as jealousy escalated into an act meant to erase Joseph from the family line.
• Genesis 37:28 records the sale to Midianite traders for twenty pieces of silver.
• Psalm 105:17 later reflects that God “sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.”
• Genesis 50:20 highlights God’s sovereignty: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
Stephen is stressing that human wickedness, even within God’s covenant family, can never thwart God’s redemptive plan. Joseph’s rejection anticipates Christ’s betrayal (Acts 2:23).
The turning phrase is packed with hope: “But God was with him.”
• Genesis 39:2, 21 repeats, “The LORD was with Joseph,” whether in Potiphar’s house or in prison.
• Isaiah 43:2 promises, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
• Romans 8:28 assures that God works “all things together for good to those who love Him.”
God’s presence accomplished several things for Joseph:
– Protection from ultimate harm
– Favor with people in authority
– Preparation to save many lives during famine
Joseph’s story teaches that God’s people may experience betrayal and hardship, yet His abiding presence transforms adversity into instrumentality.
Acts 7:9 illustrates a timeless pattern: human jealousy drives rejection of God’s chosen servants, but God’s unwavering presence turns intended evil into redemptive good. Joseph’s life foreshadows Christ—both rejected by their own, both sent ahead by God, and both used to bring salvation. Our confidence rests in the same promise: no matter the opposition, “But God [is] with” all who trust Him.
(9) The patriarchs, moved with envy.--This, interpreted by what follows, is the first step in the long induction which is to show that the elect of God had always been opposed and rejected by those who were for the time the representatives of the nation. Envy had actuated the patriarchs when they sold Joseph; envy had led their descendants to deliver up Jesus (Matthew 27:18). But man's evil will had not frustrated God's gracious purpose. Joseph was made ruler over a kingdom. A greater glory might therefore be in store for Him who had now been rejected by them.Sold Joseph into Egypt.--The objection that Joseph's brethren sold him not into Egypt, but to the Midianites and Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:25; Genesis 37:28), may well be dismissed as frivolous. They knew the trade which the Midianite slave-dealers carried on, and where their brother would be taken. So Joseph himself says of them "ye sold me hither" (Genesis 45:5).
Verse 9. - Moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him, for moved with envy sold Joseph, A.V., more correctly, and in accordance with Genesis 37:11, LXX.; and for but, A.V. Moved with jealousy, etc. Here breaks out that part of Stephen's argument which went to show how the Israelites had always ill-used their greatest benefactors, and resisted the leaders sent to them by God.