# to the Ishmaelites

"to these men who are descendants of Ishmael"

# not lay our hands upon him

This means not to harm or injure him. Alternate translation: "not hurt him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom]])

# he is our brother, our flesh

The word "flesh" is a metonym that stands for a relative. Alternate translation: "he is our blood relative" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# His brothers listened to him

"Judah's brothers listened to him" or "Judah's brothers agreed with him"