Genesis 37:25

And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

Cross-references

Genesis 37:28 Historical context

In Genesis 37:28, the same caravan is mentioned — the Ishmaelites Joseph's brothers sell him to, continuing the narrative.

Genesis 37:36 Historical context

In Genesis 37:36, the Midianites sell Joseph to Potiphar in Egypt, completing the journey started by the Ishmaelite caravan here.

Genesis 39:1 Historical context

Genesis 39:1 identifies those same Ishmaelites as taking Joseph to Egypt — the caravan from 37:25 leads directly to his slavery.

In Genesis 43:11, Jacob sends the same products (balm, myrrh) as the Ishmaelite caravan carried — a callback to Joseph's sale.

Jeremiah 8:22 uses the same 'balm in Gilead' image as a metaphor for healing, echoing the literal product carried by the Ishmaelites.

Jeremiah 46:11 also uses 'balm from Gilead' imagery, here addressing Egypt's futile healing — echoing the literal balm from the caravan.

Amos 6:6 Parallel

Amos 6:6 condemns those who drink wine and anoint themselves but do not grieve over ruin — similar to the brothers eating while Joseph is in the pit.