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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 37:24 and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_37_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:24 - Joseph Sold by His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and they took him and threw him into the pit. 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The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/37.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit <i>was</i> empty, <i>there was</i> no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit <i>was</i> empty; <i>there was</i> no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they took him and cast him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />then they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty, without water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and threw him into a dry well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then they took him and put him into an empty cistern. It had no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then they took him and threw him into the well, which was dry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They grabbed him and tossed him into the cistern, but the cistern was empty. (There was no water in it.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then they took him and threw him into the cistern. (Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they took him and threw him into the cistern. (Now the pit was empty. There was no water in it.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and take him and cast him into the pit, and the pit [is] empty, there is no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and take him and cast him into the pit, and the pit is empty, there is no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will take him and will throw him into the pit; and the pit empty; water not in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And cast him into an old pit, where there was no water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and they cast him into an old cistern, which held no water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />then they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they took him, and threw him into a pit; and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they took him and they threw him into the pit, and the pit was empty and there was no water in it.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and they took him, and cast him into the pit--and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they took him and cast him into the pit; and the pit was empty, it had not water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/37-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9512" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Joseph Sold by His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qā·ḥu·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp:: 3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">and they took him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: way·yaš·li·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">and threw</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/953.htm" title="953: hab·bō·rāh (Art:: N-ms:: 3fs) -- A pit, cistern, well. From buwr; a pit hole.">into the pit.</a> <a href="/hebrew/953.htm" title="953: wə·hab·bō·wr (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- A pit, cistern, well. From buwr; a pit hole.">Now the pit</a> <a href="/hebrew/7386.htm" title="7386: rêq (Adj-ms) -- Empty, vain. Or req; from ruwq; empty; figuratively, worthless.">was empty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">with no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mā·yim (N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">in it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a></span><br />So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21</a></span><br />Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/38-6.htm">Jeremiah 38:6</a></span><br />So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17-18</a></span><br />He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-38.htm">Matthew 21:38-39</a></span><br />But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ / So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-7.htm">Mark 12:7-8</a></span><br />But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ / So they seized the son, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-14.htm">Luke 20:14-15</a></span><br />But when the tenants saw the son, they discussed it among themselves and said, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ / So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-20.htm">Genesis 39:20</a></span><br />So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/40-15.htm">Genesis 40:15</a></span><br />For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-4.htm">Genesis 45:4-5</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></span><br />As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-10.htm">Acts 7:10</a></span><br />and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/40-2.htm">Psalm 40:2</a></span><br />He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6</a></span><br />You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.</p><p class="hdg">and cast.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-7.htm">Psalm 35:7</a></b></br> For without cause have they hid for me their net <i>in</i> a pit, <i>which</i> without cause they have digged for my soul.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-20.htm">Lamentations 4:20</a></b></br> The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.</p><p class="hdg">the pit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-2.htm">Psalm 40:2</a></b></br> He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, <i>and</i> established my goings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-6.htm">Psalm 88:6,8</a></b></br> Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/130-1.htm">Psalm 130:1,2</a></b></br> A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Cistern</a> <a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/genesis/19-30.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/genesis/33-4.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/genesis/30-38.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Cistern</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Hole</a> <a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/genesis/43-24.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 37</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">His dreams and the interpretation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; </a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">while Ruben grieves at not finding him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/37.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/37.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and they took him</b><br>This phrase indicates the physical act of Joseph's brothers seizing him. It reflects the culmination of their jealousy and animosity towards Joseph, which had been building due to his favored status with their father, Jacob, and his dreams that suggested he would rule over them (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a>). This act of taking Joseph can be seen as a betrayal, similar to how Jesus was betrayed by Judas (<a href="/matthew/26-14.htm">Matthew 26:14-16</a>).<p><b>and threw him into the pit</b><br>The pit, or cistern, was likely a dry well or storage for water, common in the region. This act of throwing Joseph into the pit symbolizes rejection and abandonment. It foreshadows the suffering and isolation that Joseph would endure, paralleling the suffering of Christ, who was also rejected by His own people (<a href="/john/1-11.htm">John 1:11</a>). The pit can also be seen as a metaphor for death and resurrection, as Joseph is later "raised" from the pit, akin to Christ's resurrection.<p><b>Now the pit was empty,</b><br>The emptiness of the pit emphasizes the severity of Joseph's situation. There was no water or sustenance, highlighting his vulnerability and the brothers' callousness. This emptiness can be seen as a symbol of desolation and despair, akin to the spiritual emptiness that humanity faces without God's intervention. It also underscores the miraculous nature of Joseph's eventual deliverance, as there was no natural means of escape.<p><b>with no water in it</b><br>The detail of the pit having no water is significant, as it indicates that Joseph was not only abandoned but also left without basic necessities for survival. Water is often symbolic of life and sustenance in the Bible (<a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>), and its absence here underscores the dire nature of Joseph's predicament. This detail also serves to highlight God's providence, as Joseph's survival and eventual rise to power demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even in seemingly hopeless situations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The favored son of Jacob, who was given a coat of many colors. His brothers were envious of him due to his dreams and their father's favoritism.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>The sons of Jacob who were envious of Joseph. They plotted against him and ultimately threw him into a pit.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pit.htm">The Pit</a></b><br>A cistern or dry well where Joseph was thrown by his brothers. It symbolizes despair and abandonment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/dothan.htm">Dothan</a></b><br>The location where Joseph found his brothers and where they plotted against him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/reuben.htm">Reuben</a></b><br>The eldest brother who initially intended to rescue Joseph later, suggesting they throw him into the pit instead of killing him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_envy.htm">The Consequences of Envy</a></b><br>Envy can lead to destructive actions and broken relationships. Joseph's brothers allowed their jealousy to drive them to harm their own kin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_adversity.htm">God's Sovereignty in Adversity</a></b><br>Even when Joseph was in the pit, God had a plan for his life. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_compassion.htm">The Importance of Compassion</a></b><br>Reuben's attempt to save Joseph, though flawed, shows the importance of compassion and standing up for what is right, even when others are against it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_symbolism_of_the_pit.htm">The Symbolism of the Pit</a></b><br>The empty pit represents moments of despair and abandonment in our lives. It reminds us that God can transform our lowest points into stepping stones for His purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_forgiveness.htm">Repentance and Forgiveness</a></b><br>The account of Joseph and his brothers ultimately leads to reconciliation, teaching us the power of repentance and forgiveness in healing relationships.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_37.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_40_2_-_is_'pit'_metaphorical_or_literal.htm">Psalm 40:2 – How can we reconcile the “pit of destruction” metaphor with a literal historical event or location, given the lack of evidence for David’s confinement in such a pit?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_biblically_respect_others.htm">What are examples of miracles in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_rebekah_water_10_camels_alone.htm">How realistic is it for Rebekah to singlehandedly draw enough water for ten camels (Genesis 24:14-20), given the demands of daily chores?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/common_bible_question_answers.htm">What are the answers to common Bible questions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/37.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 24, 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it</span>. Cisterns when empty, or only covered with mud at the bottom, were sometimes used as temporary prisons (<a href="/jeremiah/38-6.htm">Jeremiah 38:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/40-15.htm">Jeremiah 40:15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And</span> - leaving him, as they must have calculated, to perish by a painful death through starvation, with exquisite cold-bloodedness, paying no heed to his piteous outcries and appeals (<a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Genesis 41:21</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">they sat down</span> (the callous composure of the act indicates deplorable brutality on the part of Joseph's brethren) <span class="cmt_word">to eat bread</span> (perhaps with a secret feeling of satisfaction, if not also exultation, that they had effectually disposed of the young man and his dreams): <span class="cmt_word">and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, Behold, a company</span> - or-<span class="accented">chath</span>, from <span class="accented">arach</span>, to walk; a band of travelers, especially of merchantmen; a caravan; <span class="greek">συνοδία ὁδοιπόροι</span> (LXX.; cf. <a href="/job/6-19.htm">Job 6:19</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">of Ishmaelites</span> - Arabs descended from Ishmael, who occupied the district lying between Egypt and Assyria (<a href="/genesis/25-18.htm">Genesis 25:18</a>), and, as appears from the record, carried on a trade with the former country. That Ishmael's descendants should already have developed into a trading nation will not be surprising (Bohlen) if one reflects that Ishmael may have married in his eighteenth or twentieth year, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> about 162 years before the date of the present occurrence, that four generations may have been born in the interval, and that, if Ishmael's sons had only five sons each, his posterity in the fifth generation (not reckoning females) may have amounted to 15,000 persons (Murphy). But in point of fact the Ishmaelites spoken of are not described as nations - simply as a company of merchants, without saying how numerous it was (Havernick, 'Introd.,'§ 21) - <span class="cmt_word">came</span> (literally, <span class="accented">coming</span>) <span class="cmt_word">from Oilcad</span> (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/31-21.htm">Genesis 31:21</a>) <span class="cmt_word">with</span> (literally, <span class="accented">and</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>their camels bearing</span> <span class="cmt_word">spicery</span> - <span class="hebrew">נְכאת</span>, either an infinitive from <span class="hebrew">נָכָא</span>, to break, to grind (?), and signifying a pounding, breaking in pieces, hence aromatic powder (Gesenius); or a contraction from <span class="hebrew">נְכָאות</span> (Ewald), meaning that which is powdered or pulverized. Rendered <span class="greek">θυμιαμάτα</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">aromata</span> (Vulgate), <span class="greek">στύραξ</span> (Aquila), it was probably the gum tragacanth, many kinds of which appear in Syria (Furst, Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, Lange, Murphy), or storax, the resinous exudation of the <span class="accented">styrax officinale</span>, which abounds in Palestine and the East (Aquila, Bochart, Bush, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Inglis) - <span class="cmt_word">and balm</span> - <span class="hebrew">ךצרִי</span> (in pause <span class="hebrew">צרי</span>, after van of union <span class="hebrew">צְרִי</span>), mentioned as one of the most precious fruits of Palestine (<a href="/genesis/43-11.htm">Genesis 43:11</a>), rendered <span class="greek">ῤητίνη</span> (LXX.) and <span class="accented">refina</span> (Vulgate), and derived from <span class="hebrew">צָוָה</span>, to flow, to run (hence, literally, <span class="accented">an outflowing</span>, or out-dropping). was unquestionably a balsam, but of what tree cannot now be ascertained, distilling from a tree or fruit growing in Gilead, and highly prized for its healing properties (<a href="/jeremiah/8-22.htm">Jeremiah 8:22</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/46-11.htm">Jeremiah 46:11</a>). Vide Lexicons (Gesenius and Furst) <span class="accented">sub voce</span>; Michaelis, 'Suppl.' p. 2142; Kalisch <span class="accented">in loco</span> - <span class="cmt_word">and myrrh</span>, <span class="accented">-</span> <span class="hebrew">לֹט</span>, <span class="greek">στακτή</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">stacte</span> (Vulgate), <span class="accented">pistacia</span> (Chaldee, Syriac, Michaelis, 'Suppl.,' p. 1424), was more probably ladanum (Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, et <span class="accented">alii</span>), an odoriferous gum formed upon the leaves of the cactus-rose, a shrub growing in Arabia, Syria, and Palestine (<span class="accented">vide</span>-Herod., 3:112; Pliny, 'N. H., 12:37; Celsius, 'Hierob.,' L 280-288) - <span class="cmt_word">going</span> - the caravan route from Gilead crossed the Jordan in the neighborhood of Bersan, and, sweeping through Jenin and the plain of Dothan, joined another track leading southwards from Damascus by way of Ramleh and Gaza (<span class="accented">vide</span> Robinson, 3:27, and cf. Tristram, 'Land of Israel,' p. 132) - <span class="cmt_word">to carry it down to Egypt.</span> At that time the land of the Pharaohs was the chief emporium for the world's merchandise. <p> CHAPTER 37:26-36 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and they took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֨קָּחֻ֔הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qā·ḥu·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him and threw</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּשְׁלִ֥כוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaš·li·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> </span><span class="str2">To throw out, down, away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him into the pit.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבֹּ֑רָה</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bō·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_953.htm">Strong's 953: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit, cistern, well</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Now the pit</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַבּ֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hab·bō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_953.htm">Strong's 953: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pit, cistern, well</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was empty,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵ֔ק</span> <span class="translit">(rêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7386.htm">Strong's 7386: </a> </span><span class="str2">Empty, worthless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">water</span><br /><span class="heb">מָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in it.</span><br /><span class="heb">בּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/37-24.htm">Genesis 37:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/37-24.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:24 And they took him and threw him (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>