CONTRADICTION · HISTORICAL
Who Was Joseph Sold To?
...Midianites... sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar.
This matters for biblical credibility. If basic details like who purchased Joseph conflict, trust in the narrative wanes. Muslims point out these issues to argue that the Bible has been altered, unlike the Quran’s coherent storytelling.
THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Midianites and Ishmaelites may be interchangeable tribal names or a complex trade chain. No true contradiction.
THE ISLAMIC POSITION
Muslims argue a perfect scripture shouldn’t confuse readers on a simple fact. Such contradictions show human editing. The Quran’s account of Joseph is consistent, reflecting its preserved authenticity.
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Who Was Joseph Sold To?