position, and the caravan could proceed upon its way. Now
the Ishmaelites saw plainly that all their trouble had come
upon them for the sake of Joseph, and they spoke one to
another, saying: "We know now that all this evil hath happened
to us on account of this poor fellow, and wherefore
should we bring death upon ourselves by our own doings?
Let us take counsel together, what is to be done with the
slave." One of them advised that Joseph's wish be fulfilled,
and he be taken back to his father. Then they would be
sure of receiving the money they had paid out for him.
This plan was rejected, because they had accomplished a
great part of their journey, and they were not inclined to
retrace their steps. They therefore resolved upon carrying
Joseph to Egypt and selling him there. They would rid
themselves of him in this way, and also receive a great price
for him.

They continued their journey as far as the borders of
Egypt, and there they met four men, descendants of Medan,
the son of Abraham, and to these they sold Joseph for
five shekels. The two companies, the Ishmaelites and the
Medanites, arrived in Egypt upon the same day. The latter,
hearing that Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of
the guard, was seeking a good slave, repaired to him at once,
to try to dispose of Joseph to him. Potiphar was willing to
pay as much as four hundred pieces of silver, for, high as
the price was, it did not seem too great for a slave that
pleased him as much as Joseph. However, he made a
condition. He said to the Medanites: "I will pay you the
price demanded, but you must bring me the person that