Final answer:
Joseph was sold by his brothers to Egyptian merchants according to the biblical account. His family's story is part of a wider narrative where the Hebrews live in Egypt for generations, eventually being enslaved. While evidence for the enslavement of Hebrews in Egypt is limited, references to laborers, including 'Ha-bi-ru,' are present in Egyptian records.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who Did Joseph's Brothers Sell Him To?
In the biblical narrative, Joseph's brothers sold him to merchants bound for Egypt. According to the account, these merchants subsequently sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt, where he rose to a position of power after a series of events. The biblical chronology suggests this occurred around 1800 BCE, and the story is part of a larger narrative in which the Hebrews, including Joseph's descendants, lived in Egypt for several generations.
During this era, the Hebrews faced increasingly harsh conditions, eventually leading to their enslavement under a pharaoh in Egypt. This period of enslavement is dramatically illustrated in biblical texts and by 19th-century artists such as Edward Poynter. It culminates in the emergence of the prophetic figure Moses, who was raised among Egyptian royalty and eventually led the Hebrews out of Egypt. While there is limited archaeological evidence for the enslavement of the entire Hebrew population in Egypt, Egyptian texts do reference laborers or 'Ha-bi-ru' that contributed to building projects such as royal tombs.
The practice of enslavement during this historical period extended beyond the biblical accounts, playing a varied role across different cultures and contexts, including Africa, where slavery was part of several societal structures. Whether via punishment, payment of debts, or prisoners of war, enslavement formed a significant aspect of ancient world economies.