As he saw the merchants the dreadful truth flashed upon him. To become a slave was a fate more to be feared than death. In an agony of terror he appealed to one and another of his brothers, but in vain. Some were moved with pity, but fear of derision kept them silent; all felt that they had now gone too far to retreat. If Joseph were spared, he would doubtless report them to the father, 212 who would not overlook their cruelty toward his favorite son. Steeling their hearts against his entreaties, they delivered him into the hands of the heathen traders. The caravan moved on, and was soon lost to view.

Da han så købmændene, gik den frygtelige sandhed op for ham. At blive slave var en langt mere frygtet skæbne end døden. I fortvivlelse og rædsel tryglede han den ene efter den anden af brødrene om hjælp, men forgæves. Nogle havde medlidenhed med ham, men da de frygtede for de andres spot, forholdt de sig tavse. Alle følte, at de var gået for langt til at vende om. Hvis de skånede Josef, ville han uden tvivl fortælle faderen, hvad de havde gjort, og denne ville ikke se igennem fingre med deres grusomhed mod hans yndlingssøn. De forhærdede deres hjerte over for hans bønner og overgav ham i de hedenske købmænds hænder. Karavanen drog videre og var snart ude af syne.