Ishmaelites] It seemes uncertaine whether Joseph were sold to the Ishmaelites, or Midianites, for Vers. 25. 27. and in this verse, &Chap. 39. 1. the Ishmaelites are named for that purpose, and in this verse also, and vers. 36. the Midianites: the like change or confusion of the names of the Ishmaelites, and Midianites may be observed, Judg. 8. vers. 24. 26. 28. and the reason may be, because though they were a distinct people in their Originall, (for the Ishmaelites came of Ishmael, the sonne of Abraham by Hagar, Chap. 15. 6. The Midianites of Midian his sonne also, but by Keturah, Chap. 25. vers. 2.) yet they were a mixed people for a good part of them in their habitations (the Midianites living in the countrey of the Ishmaelites, and exercising the trade of Merchandise among them) and therefore the Chaldeans call them both together, Arabians (that is) a mixed people; coming of the Hebrew root Ghnarab, which signifieth to be mixed; and for the particular of selling of Joseph we may conceive that the Ishmaelites bought him, and such Merchants as were (though by their dwelling and commerce mingled with the posteritie of Ishmael) by descent sprung from Midian the sonne of Keturah; and that here Ishmaelites and Midianites must be two names of the same persons is plaine by the comparison of this verse with the last of this Chapter, where it is said, the Midianites sold him to Potiphar, and in the first verse of 39. Chapter, it is said, that Potiphar bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, to which agreeth that which is said in this place. twentie pieces of silver] In this againe was Joseph a type of Christ, Joseph is sold by those of the twelve, who should have been more affectionate and faithfull to him then any other; so Christ was sold by one of the twelve chosen for especiall service, and fidelitie; and as Joseph was passed over from hand to hand, from his brethren to the Ishmaelites, from them to Potiphar, so was Christ delivered over from hand to hand, Luke 23:7. Joseph was sold for twentie pieces of silver, &Christ but for ten more; and though there were no comparison betwixt the worth of the wares and the price; for Christ was infinitely more excellent then Joseph, (though of a meere man he was of great worth, and renowne) yet they that bought Joseph had the better bargaine, for they were preserved by their purchase, but they (at least some of them,) that bought Christ, bought a stumbling stone, or rocke of ruine to themselves; to whom may be applyed that speech of his; Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whom soever it shall fall it will grind him to powder, Matthew 21:44. and though Joseph were sold (in the intent of those that sold him) to save his life, and in the purpose of Gods providence to be a meanes to save others from famishing to death, and Christ were bought with a mind to murder him, yet he saved many more by his death (which was the ayme of the Divine decree for mans redemption) then Joseph by his life; and in this respect Gods providence might set the sale of the antitype Christ upon an higher price, then that of Joseph his type, or figure.