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Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him. 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Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don&#8217t lay a hand on him.&#8221 Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. <a href="/nlt/genesis/37.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. <a href="/esv/genesis/37.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. <a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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. <a href="/kjv/genesis/37.htm">King James Bible</a> And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/37.htm">New King James Version</a> And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/37.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—so that later he might rescue him out of their hands, to return him to his father. <a href="/nasb/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1995</a> Reuben further said to them, &#8220Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him"— that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/37.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father. <a href="/lsb/genesis/37.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Reuben further said to them, “Shed no blood. Cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not put forth your hands against him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands to return him to his father. <a href="/amp/genesis/37.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Reuben said to them, “Do not shed his blood, but [instead] throw him [alive] into the pit that is here in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him [to kill him]”—[he said this so] that he could rescue him from them and return him [safely] to his father. <a href="/csb/genesis/37.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Reuben also said to them, “Don’t shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him”—intending to rescue him from them and return him to his father. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/37.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Reuben also said to them, &#8220Don&#8217t shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don&#8217t lay a hand on him"—intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father. <a href="/asv/genesis/37.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him: that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. <a href="/cev/genesis/37.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "Don't murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a well out here in the desert." Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. <a href="/erv/genesis/37.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him: that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. <a href="/gwt/genesis/37.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Let's not have any bloodshed. Put him into that cistern that's out in the desert, but don't hurt him." Reuben wanted to rescue Joseph from them and bring him back to his father. <a href="/gnt/genesis/37.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Just throw him into this well in the wilderness, but don't hurt him." He said this, planning to save him from them and send him back to his father. <a href="/isv/genesis/37.htm">International Standard Version</a> Reuben told them. "And no blood shedding, either. Instead, let's toss him into this cistern that's way out here in the wilderness. But don't lay a hand on him." (Reuben intended to free Joseph and return him to his father.) <a href="/msb/genesis/37.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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. <a href="/net/genesis/37.htm">NET Bible</a> Reuben continued, "Don't shed blood! Throw him into this cistern that is here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him." (Reuben said this so he could rescue Joseph from them and take him back to his father.) <a href="/nheb/genesis/37.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him"?that he might deliver him out of their hands, to restore him to his father. <a href="/wbt/genesis/37.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might deliver him from their hands, to bring him back to his father. <a href="/web/genesis/37.htm">World English Bible</a> Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/37.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Reuben says to them, “Shed no blood; cast him into this pit which [is] in the wilderness, and do not put forth a hand on him,” in order to deliver him out of their hand, to bring him back to his father. <a href="/ylt/genesis/37.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Reuben saith unto them, 'Shed no blood; cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and put not forth a hand upon him,' -- in order to deliver him out of their hand, to bring him back unto his father. <a href="/slt/genesis/37.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Reuben will say to them, Ye shall not pour out blood; cast him into this pit which is in the desert, and ye shall not stretch forth the hand upon him; in order to take him away out of their hands to bring him back to his father.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/37.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Do not take away his life, nor shed his blood: but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness, and keep your hands harmless: now he said this, being desirous to deliver him out of their hands and to restore him to his father. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/37.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Do not take away his life, nor shed blood. But throw him into this cistern, which is in the wilderness, and so keep your hands harmless.” But he said this, wanting to rescue him from their hands, so as to return him to his father. <a href="/nabre/genesis/37.htm">New American Bible</a> Then Reuben said, “Do not shed blood! Throw him into this cistern in the wilderness; but do not lay a hand on him.” His purpose was to save him from their hands and restore him to his father. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/37.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/37.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood; throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not harm him; that he might deliver him from their hands, and bring him back to his father. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/37.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Rubyl said to them, “You shall not shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness and do not stretch a hand against him”, so that he would save him from their hands and return him to his father.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/37.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Reuben said unto them: 'Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him'--that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father. <a href="/sep/genesis/37.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Ruben said to them, Shed not blood; cast him into one of these pits in the wilderness, but do not lay your hands upon him; that he might rescue him out of their hands, and restore him to his father. <a href="/parallel/genesis/37-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=9491" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Joseph Sold by His Brothers</a> …21When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. 22<a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: tiš·pə·ḵū- (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">“Do not shed</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: ḏām (N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">his blood.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7993.htm" title="7993: haš·lî·ḵū (V-Hifil-Imp-mp) -- To throw, fling, cast. A primitive root; to throw out, down or away.">Throw</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/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">into</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/953.htm" title="953: hab·bō·wr (Art:: N-ms) -- A pit, cistern, well. From buwr; a pit hole.">pit</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: bam·miḏ·bār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">in the wilderness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">but do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: tiš·lə·ḥū- (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">lay</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: wə·yāḏ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">a hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">on him.”</a> <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.">Reuben</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing."></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.">said this</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: haṣ·ṣîl (V-Hifil-Inf) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">he could rescue</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">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/7725.htm" title="7725: la·hă·šî·ḇōw (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and return him</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father.</a> 23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing—…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22</a> 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!” <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5-6</a> And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: / Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind. <a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a> Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent or the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. <a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">1 Samuel 19:4-5</a> 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?” <a href="/1_samuel/24-12.htm">1 Samuel 24:12</a> May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. <a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm">2 Samuel 14:6-7</a> And your maidservant had two sons who were fighting in the field with no one to separate them, and one struck the other and killed him. / Now the whole clan has risen up against your maidservant and said, ‘Hand over the one who struck down his brother, that we may put him to death for the life of the brother whom he killed. Then we will cut off the heir as well!’ So they would extinguish my one remaining ember by not preserving my husband’s name or posterity on the earth.” <a href="/2_kings/24-4.htm">2 Kings 24:4</a> and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive. <a href="/psalms/94-21.htm">Psalm 94:21</a> They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. <a href="/proverbs/1-11.htm">Proverbs 1:11-12</a> If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, / let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. <a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7</a> Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. <a href="/jeremiah/26-15.htm">Jeremiah 26:15</a> 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.” <a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a> 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.” <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Matthew 5:21-22</a> You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ / But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Matthew 23:34-35</a> Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand on him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.Reuben said.<a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22</a> 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.Shed.<a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Matthew 27:24</a> When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.lay.<a href="/genesis/22-12.htm">Genesis 22:12</a> And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.<a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Exodus 24:11</a> And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.<a href="/deuteronomy/13-9.htm">Deuteronomy 13:9</a> But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/29-14.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-9.htm">Cistern</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/32-11.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/genesis/32-20.htm">Further</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/genesis/30-38.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-52.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Rid</a> <a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/genesis/37-20.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/genesis/6-13.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/37-24.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/genesis/37-24.htm">Cistern</a> <a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/40-13.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/genesis/38-24.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/exodus/6-2.htm">Further</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/exodus/7-24.htm">Holes</a> <a href="/genesis/38-2.htm">Lay</a> <a href="/genesis/37-24.htm">Pit</a> <a href="/genesis/40-11.htm">Placed</a> <a href="/genesis/38-9.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/exodus/2-17.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/genesis/40-13.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Rid</a> <a href="/exodus/6-6.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/exodus/22-2.htm">Shed</a> <a href="/exodus/1-22.htm">Throw</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 37</div>1. <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Joseph is loved by Jacob, but hated by his brothers.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">His dreams and the interpretation.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Jacob sends him to his brothers, who counsel to slay him.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">At Reuben's desire they cast him into a pit;</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/37-25.htm">and afterwards sell him to the Ishmaelites; </a> 29. <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">while Ruben grieves at not finding him.</a> 31. <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">His coat, covered with blood, is sent to Jacob, who mourns him inordinately.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/37-36.htm">Joseph is brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Do not shed his blood. Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, intervenes to prevent his brothers from killing Joseph. This phrase reflects the biblical principle of the sanctity of life, as seen in <a href="/genesis/9-6.htm">Genesis 9:6</a>, where God establishes the value of human life. Reuben's suggestion aligns with the moral law against murder, which is later codified in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-13.htm">Exodus 20:13</a>).Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, The pit, likely a dry cistern, symbolizes a place of abandonment and despair. The wilderness setting emphasizes isolation and danger, common themes in biblical narratives where God often tests or refines His people. This act foreshadows Joseph's later imprisonment in Egypt, serving as a type of Christ's burial and subsequent resurrection.but do not lay a hand on him. Reuben's insistence on not harming Joseph physically highlights his attempt to protect his brother, despite the brothers' jealousy and hatred. This phrase underscores the theme of divine providence, as God uses Reuben's intervention to preserve Joseph for his future role in God's plan, similar to how God preserves His chosen servants throughout Scripture.Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands Reuben's intention to rescue Joseph reveals his sense of responsibility as the eldest son. This act of protection can be seen as a precursor to the role of a kinsman-redeemer, a concept later developed in the story of Boaz and Ruth. Reuben's plan reflects the biblical theme of redemption and deliverance.and return him to his father. Reuben's desire to restore Joseph to Jacob highlights the importance of family unity and reconciliation, themes prevalent throughout the Bible. This act anticipates the eventual reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, mirroring the reconciliation between humanity and God through Christ. The return to the father also symbolizes spiritual restoration and the joy of reunion, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son (<a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Luke 15:11-32</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/reuben.htm">Reuben</a> The eldest son of Jacob, who intervenes to prevent his brothers from killing Joseph. His intention is to rescue Joseph later and return him to their father, Jacob. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The favored son of Jacob, who is envied by his brothers due to his dreams and his father's favoritism. He is the target of his brothers' plot. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_brothers.htm">The Brothers</a> The sons of Jacob, who are envious and hostile towards Joseph. They conspire to harm him but are persuaded by Reuben to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_pit.htm">The Pit</a> A cistern or dry well in the wilderness where Joseph is thrown. It symbolizes a place of abandonment and despair. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a> The desolate area where the brothers plot against Joseph, representing isolation and danger.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_conscience.htm">The Role of Conscience</a> Reuben's intervention shows the importance of listening to one's conscience and taking a stand against wrongdoing, even when it is unpopular. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_adversity.htm">God's Sovereignty in Adversity</a> Joseph's account reminds us that God can use difficult circumstances for His purposes, as seen in Joseph's eventual rise to power in Egypt. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_intentions.htm">The Power of Intentions</a> Reuben's intention to save Joseph highlights the significance of our motives and how they can influence our actions and decisions. <a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics_and_responsibility.htm">Family Dynamics and Responsibility</a> Reuben's actions reflect the complexities of family relationships and the responsibility of the eldest sibling to protect and guide. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_envy.htm">The Consequences of Envy</a> The brothers' envy leads to destructive actions, teaching us to guard our hearts against jealousy and its potential to harm others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_37.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 37</a> <a href="/q/who_was_reuben_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Reuben in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/are_midianites_ishmaelites_interchangeable.htm">(Genesis 37:25-28) How plausible is it that Midianites and Ishmaelites are used interchangeably here without creating confusion about who purchased Joseph?</a> <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> <a href="/q/how_to_biblically_respect_others.htm">What are examples of miracles in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/37.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) Into this pit that is in the wilderness.--Reuben apparently pointed to some cistern in the desolate region which girds the little valley of Dothan around. We learn from <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm" title="And they said one to another, We are truly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he sought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come on us.">Genesis 42:21</a> that Joseph begged hard for mercy, and to be spared so painful a death, but that his brothers would not hear.Though never represented in the Scriptures as a type of Christ, yet the whole of the Old Testament is so full of events and histories, which reappear in the Gospel narrative, that the Fathers have never hesitated in regarding Joseph, the innocent delivered to death, but raised thence to glory, as especially typifying to us our Lord. Pascal (Pensees, 2:9. 2) sums up the points of resemblance--in his father's love for him, his being sent to see after the peace of his brethren, their conspiring against him, his being sold for twenty pieces of silver, his rising from his humiliation to be the lord and saviour of those who had wronged him; and with them the saviour also of the world. As too, he was in prison with two malefactors, so was our Lord crucified between two thieves and as one of these was saved and one left to his condemnation, so Joseph gave deliverance to the chief butler, but to the chief baker punishment. It would be easy to point out other resemblances, but, leaving these, it is important also to notice that Joseph's history is likewise a vindication of God's providential dealings with men. He is innocent, and pure in life, but wronged again and again; yet every wrong was but a step in the pathway of his exaltation. And like the histories of all great lives, Joseph's adventures do not begin and end in himself. Upon him depended a great future. Noble minds care little for personal suffering, if from their pain springs amelioration for the world. Now Joseph's descent into Egypt was: not only for the good and preservation of the people there, but was also an essential condition for the formation of the Jewish Church. In Egypt alone could Israel have multiplied into a nation fit to be the depositaries of God's law, and to grow into a church of prophets. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/37-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Do not shed תִּשְׁפְּכוּ־ (tiš·pə·ḵū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out [his] blood. דָם֒ (ḏām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed Throw הַשְׁלִ֣יכוּ (haš·lî·ḵū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7993.htm">Strong's 7993: </a> To throw out, down, away him into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that pit הַבּ֤וֹר (hab·bō·wr) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_953.htm">Strong's 953: </a> A pit, cistern, well in the wilderness, בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר (bam·miḏ·bār) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech but do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not lay תִּשְׁלְחוּ־ (tiš·lə·ḥū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out a hand וְיָ֖ד (wə·yāḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand on him.” ב֑וֹ (ḇōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Reuben רְאוּבֵן֮ (rə·’ū·ḇên) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7205.htm">Strong's 7205: </a> Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc said this וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say so that לְמַ֗עַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> Purpose -- intent he could rescue הַצִּ֤יל (haṣ·ṣîl) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver [Joseph] אֹתוֹ֙ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case from their hands מִיָּדָ֔ם (mî·yā·ḏām) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand and return לַהֲשִׁיב֖וֹ (la·hă·šî·ḇōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again him to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to his father. אָבִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">OT Law: Genesis 37:22 Reuben said to them Shed no blood (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 37:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/37-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 37:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 37:23" /></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>