The sale of Joseph in Genesis 37 and contemporary human trafficking: A hermeneutics of appropriation

Abstract

This article examines the sale of Joseph in Genesis 37 as a form of human commodification within the socio-historical context of the ancient Near East and explores its relevance to contemporary human trafficking through the lens of Hermeneutics of Appropriation (HA). Rather than equating the ancient practice directly with modern human trafficking, the study recognises the historical and conceptual distinctions between the two phenomena while identifying important points of convergence concerning exploitation, forced displacement, loss of agency and the commodification of human beings. Employing close textual analysis informed by postcolonial insights from Said, Spivak and Bhabha, the article investigates how power, domination and vulnerability are reflected in Joseph’s sale by his brothers and subsequent transfer into Egypt. Attention is given to the socio-economic, familial and political dimensions of the narrative, highlighting the experiences of individuals subjected to systems of oppression and exploitation. Through HA, the study bridges the ancient text and contemporary realities, demonstrating how the Joseph narrative can contribute to ongoing discussions on human dignity, justice and the protection of vulnerable persons in contexts affected by human trafficking. The article argues that Genesis 37 offers valuable theological and ethical resources for confronting contemporary forms of human exploitation while maintaining sensitivity to the historical distinctiveness of the biblical world.