What Is the Significance of the “Medanites” Variant in Genesis 37:36?

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Genesis 37:36 records, “Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.” The Hebrew text reads “וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים,” which, when compared with contextual evidence, indicates a likely scribal error—one Hebrew letter was omitted. This brief account in the Masoretic text provides a precise transmission of the historical account of joseph’s experiences in Egypt.

Textual Analysis

In the Updated American Standard Version, Genesis 37:36 states, “Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.” The Hebrew reads “וְהַ֨מְּדָנִ֔ים,” which literally renders as “Medanites.” It is almost certain that this is a scribal oversight, where the omission of a single letter led to a minor discrepancy. Such minor variants do not detract from the overall reliability of the Masoretic text, which stands as the primary authority for the Hebrew Scriptures.

Weighing External Evidence

The primary weight of external evidence is given to the original language manuscripts. The Codex Leningrad B 19A and the Aleppo Codex are nearly always preferred as the standard bearers of the Masoretic text. In Old Testament textual criticism, the Masoretic text is our starting point. Although it is not without minor errors, any alternative reading requires a heavy burden of proof. All available evidence must be examined before concluding that a reading in the Masoretic text is corrupt.

The Septuagint has been instrumental in identifying potential copyist errors, having been regarded as inspired in its early use by the Jews. In the first century C.E., the Christians adopted the Septuagint in their churches for evangelism and debate regarding the long-awaited Messiah. However, by the second century C.E., Jews returned exclusively to the Hebrew Scriptures. Later, other Greek translations—such as those by Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion—emerged, but the consonantal text of the Hebrew Scriptures remained the standard between the first and second centuries C.E. The external evidence from the Syriac, Dead Sea Scrolls, Aramaic Targums, and the Vulgate is invaluable in uncovering scribal errors. Yet, these sources can only prompt a revision of the Masoretic text if their collective evidence overwhelmingly supports an alternative reading.

Historical Transmission

The preservation of the Hebrew Scriptures from the time of Ezra until the era of Jesus was accomplished by the Sopherim, who diligently copied the text. From the 6th century C.E. to the 10th century C.E., the Masoretes—a group of highly skilled Jewish scribe-scholars—ensured the accurate transmission of each word and letter. They employed a system of marginal notes: the Small Masora in the side margins, the Large Masora in the top margins, and additional notes known as the Final Masora elsewhere in the text. These notes served as a cross-checking mechanism, with scribes often listing parts of parallel verses to confirm their work, despite the absence of numbered verses or concordances at the time. Their meticulous efforts established a textual standard that modern textual critics continue to rely upon.

Conclusion

The variant reading “Medanites” in Genesis 37:36 is best understood as a minor scribal error resulting from the accidental omission of a Hebrew letter. The Masoretic text remains our most reliable witness to the Hebrew Scriptures, with the external evidence from the Septuagint, Syriac, Dead Sea Scrolls, Aramaic Targums, and the Vulgate serving only to assist in identifying potential errors. Until an overwhelming burden of proof supports a revision, the Masoretic text’s rendering stands as the authoritative account, preserving the historical transmission of the Scriptures with unwavering certainty.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).