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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 37:21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. "Let us not take his life," he said.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/37-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_37_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 37:21 - Joseph Sold by His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. 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and said, Let us not kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Reuben heard <i>it,</i> and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Reuben heard <i>this</i> and rescued him out of their hands by saying, “Let’s not take his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, &#8220Let us not take his life.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Reuben heard <i>this</i> and rescued him out of their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Reuben heard <i>this</i> and delivered him out of their hands and said, “Let us not strike down his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Reuben [the eldest] heard this and rescued him from their hands and said, “Let us not take his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, “Let’s not take his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, &#8220Let&#8217s not take his life.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. "Let's not kill him," he said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand; and said, Let us not take his life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Reuben heard them and tried to save Joseph. "Let's not kill him," he said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When Reuben heard about it, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not do any killing,"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. ?Let us not take his life,? he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he rescued Joseph from their hands, saying, "Let's not take his life!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hands, and said, "Let?s not take his life."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him from their hands: and said, Let us not kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Reuben hears, and delivers him out of their hand, and says, “Let us not strike the life”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Reuben heareth, and delivereth him out of their hand, and saith, 'Let us not smite the life;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Reuben will hear, and will take him away out of their hands; and he will say, We will not strike the soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Ruben hearing this, endeavoured to deliver him out of their hands, end said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But Reuben, on hearing this, strove to free him from their hands, and he said:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But when Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying: “We must not take his life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and he said to them, Let us not kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Rubyl heard, and he saved him from their hands and said to them, “We will not kill a soul.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand; and said: 'Let us not take his life.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Ruben having heard it, rescued him out of their hands, and said, Let us not kill him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/37-21.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=9484" 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">20</span>“Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7205.htm" title="7205: rə·’ū·ḇên (N-proper-ms) -- From the imperative of ra'ah and ben; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob.">When Reuben</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: way·yiš·ma‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard this,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: way·yaṣ·ṣi·lê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">he tried to rescue Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: mî·yā·ḏām (Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">from their hands.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Let us not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: nak·ken·nū (V-Hifil-Imperf.h-1cp:: 3mse) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">take</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nā·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">his life,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he said.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>“Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father.…<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/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22</a></span><br />And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”<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="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a></span><br />Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10</a></span><br />Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">1 Samuel 19:4-5</a></span><br />Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/24-17.htm">1 Samuel 24:17</a></span><br />and said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have rewarded me with good, though I have rewarded you with evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-11.htm">2 Samuel 14:11</a></span><br />“Please,” she replied, “may the king invoke the LORD your God to prevent the avenger of blood from increasing the devastation, so that my son may not be destroyed!” “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “not a hair of your son’s head will fall to the ground.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7</a></span><br />When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-32.htm">Psalm 37:32-33</a></span><br />Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them, / the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17-19</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, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Proverbs 24:11-12</a></span><br />Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. / If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-9.htm">Isaiah 53:9</a></span><br />He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-15.htm">Jeremiah 26:15</a></span><br />But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves, upon this city, and upon its residents; for truly the LORD has sent me to speak all these words in your hearing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a></span><br />When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.</p><p class="hdg">Reuben heard.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard <i>it</i>. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22</a></b></br> And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.</p><p class="hdg">not kill him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/10-28.htm">Joshua 10:28</a></b></br> And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that <i>were</i> therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5</a></b></br> And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-28.htm">Matthew 10:28</a></b></br> And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-10.htm">Delivereth</a> <a href="/genesis/35-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/35-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/37-17.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/genesis/37-17.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Rescued</a> <a href="/genesis/35-23.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/genesis/34-30.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/genesis/37-11.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/48-16.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-13.htm">Delivereth</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/39-15.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/genesis/39-15.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/genesis/39-15.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Kill</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Let's</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/exodus/2-19.htm">Rescued</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/exodus/3-20.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/genesis/39-17.htm">Words</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>When Reuben heard this</b><br>Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, overhears the brothers' plot against Joseph. As the firstborn, Reuben holds a position of responsibility and authority among his siblings. His actions here may reflect a sense of duty to protect his younger brother. This moment highlights the family dynamics and tensions, as Reuben's intervention contrasts with the brothers' jealousy and animosity towards Joseph.<p><b>he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands</b><br>Reuben's attempt to save Joseph indicates a desire to prevent bloodshed and maintain family unity. This act of intervention can be seen as a foreshadowing of later biblical themes of redemption and deliverance. Reuben's actions may also reflect his awareness of the consequences of fratricide, both morally and in terms of familial repercussions.<p><b>“Let us not take his life,” he said</b><br>Reuben's plea to spare Joseph's life underscores the sanctity of life, a principle that resonates throughout Scripture. His suggestion to avoid murder aligns with the broader biblical narrative that values life and seeks to prevent unnecessary violence. This moment can be seen as a precursor to the Mosaic Law, which later codifies the prohibition against murder. Reuben's words also echo the theme of mercy, which is a recurring motif in the Bible and is ultimately embodied in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/reuben.htm">Reuben</a></b><br>The eldest son of Jacob and Leah, Reuben plays a pivotal role in this account by attempting to save his younger brother Joseph from the murderous intentions of his other brothers. His actions reflect a sense of responsibility and a desire to protect Joseph.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The favored son of Jacob, Joseph is the target of his brothers' jealousy and hatred. This event marks the beginning of a series of trials that will eventually lead to his rise in Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>Motivated by jealousy and resentment, they plot to kill Joseph. Their actions set the stage for the unfolding of God's providential plan.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/dothan.htm">Dothan</a></b><br>The location where Joseph's brothers plotted against him. It serves as the backdrop for this critical moment in Joseph's life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pit.htm">The Pit</a></b><br>A cistern or dry well where Joseph is thrown by his brothers. It symbolizes the depths of betrayal and the beginning of Joseph's journey of suffering and eventual triumph.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/responsibility_and_leadership.htm">Responsibility and Leadership</a></b><br>As the eldest, Reuben felt a sense of responsibility for his younger brother. This teaches us about the importance of stepping up to protect and lead, even when it is difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite human intentions, God's plans prevail. Reuben's intervention, though not fully successful, was part of God's larger plan for Joseph's life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_conscience.htm">The Power of Conscience</a></b><br>Reuben's actions demonstrate the power of conscience and moral courage. We are called to listen to our conscience and act righteously, even when others do not.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics_and_jealousy.htm">Family Dynamics and Jealousy</a></b><br>The account highlights the destructive nature of jealousy and favoritism within families. It serves as a warning to cultivate love and fairness in our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/providence_in_adversity.htm">Providence in Adversity</a></b><br>Joseph's account, beginning with this event, reminds us that God can use even the darkest moments for His purposes. We are encouraged to trust in God's plan during our trials.<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/why_is_the_tribe_of_reuben_important.htm">What is the significance of the Tribe of Reuben?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_reuben_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Reuben in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_sell_joseph_into_slavery.htm">Why did Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_rachel_conceive_in_genesis_30.htm">In Genesis 30:22-24, why does Rachel's miraculous conception coincide with this specific moment, and is there any historical evidence for such events?</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 21, 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Reuben</span> (the eldest son, and therefore probably regarding himself as in some degree responsible for Joseph's safety) <span class="cmt_word">heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him</span> - literally, <span class="accented">Let us not destroy his life</span> (<span class="accented">nephesh</span>). <span class="cmt_word">And Reuben said</span> (further) <span class="cmt_word">unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> into a dry pit that was near), <span class="cmt_word">and lay no hand upon him; that</span> (the adverb indicates the purpose Reuben had in view) <span class="cmt_word">he might rid him</span> (translated above deliver him) <span class="cmt_word">out of their hands, to deliver him</span> (or, more correctly, to return him) <span class="cmt_word">to his father again.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-21.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">When Reuben</span><br /><span class="heb">רְאוּבֵ֔ן</span> <span class="translit">(rə·’ū·ḇên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7205.htm">Strong's 7205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard [this],</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he tried to rescue [Joseph]</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּצִּלֵ֖הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaṣ·ṣi·lê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from their hands.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִיָּדָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(mî·yā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let us not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">take</span><br /><span class="heb">נַכֶּ֖נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(nak·ken·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his life,”</span><br /><span class="heb">נָֽפֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nā·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:21 Reuben heard it and delivered him out (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:22" /></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>