Genesis 37:20
Genesis 37:20 in Multiple Translations
“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!”
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Let us now put him to death and put his body into one of these holes, and we will say, An evil beast has put him to death: then we will see what becomes of his dreams.
“Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We'll say that some wild animal has eaten him. Then we'll see what happens to his dreams!”
Come now therefore, and let vs slay him, and cast him into some pitte, and wee will say, A wicked beast hath deuoured him: then wee shall see, what will come of his dreames.
and now, come, and we slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and have said, An evil beast hath devoured him; and we see what his dreams are.'
Come now therefore, and let’s kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, ‘An evil animal has devoured him.’ We will see what will become of his dreams.”
Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
Come, let us kill him, and cast him into some old pit: and we will say: Some evil beast hath devoured him: and then it shall appear what his dreams avail him:
and “Hey, let’s kill him, and then throw his body into one of the pits/cisterns. Then we will tell people that a ferocious/wild animal attacked and killed him and ate him. And then we will ◄find out whether his dreams come true/make sure that his dreams do not come true►!”
Let’s kill him, and let’s throw his body into one of those big holes in the ground. Then we will tell our father, ‘A wild animal ate Joseph.’” Then they said, “If we kill Joseph, that will show that his dreams are rubbish, and that he will never be boss over us.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 37:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 37:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַתָּ֣ה
לְכ֣וּ
וְ/נַֽהַרְגֵ֗/הוּ
וְ/נַשְׁלִכֵ֨/הוּ֙
בְּ/אַחַ֣ד
הַ/בֹּר֔וֹת
וְ/אָמַ֕רְנוּ
חַיָּ֥ה
רָעָ֖ה
אֲכָלָ֑תְ/הוּ
וְ/נִרְאֶ֕ה
מַה
יִּהְי֖וּ
חֲלֹמֹתָֽי/ו
וְ/עַתָּ֣ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Conj | Adv
לְכ֣וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
וְ/נַֽהַרְגֵ֗/הוּ
hârag
H2026
to kill
Conj | V-Qal-1cp | Suff
וְ/נַשְׁלִכֵ֨/הוּ֙
shâlak
H7993
to throw
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cp | Suff
בְּ/אַחַ֣ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
הַ/בֹּר֔וֹת
bôwr
H953
pit
Art | N-mp
וְ/אָמַ֕רְנוּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
חַיָּ֥ה
chay
H2416
alive
N-fs
רָעָ֖ה
raʻ
H7451
bad
Adj
אֲכָלָ֑תְ/הוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Perf-3fs | Suff
וְ/נִרְאֶ֕ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
יִּהְי֖וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
חֲלֹמֹתָֽי/ו
chălôwm
H2472
dream
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 37:20
וְ/עַתָּ֣ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Conj | Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
לְכ֣וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
וְ/נַֽהַרְגֵ֗/הוּ
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp | Suff
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
וְ/נַשְׁלִכֵ֨/הוּ֙
shâlak
H7993
"to throw"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cp | Suff
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Definition: 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. See also: Genesis 21:15; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 2:3.
בְּ/אַחַ֣ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
הַ/בֹּר֔וֹת
bôwr
H953
"pit"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
וְ/אָמַ֕רְנוּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
חַיָּ֥ה
chay
H2416
"alive"
N-fs
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
רָעָ֖ה
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
אֲכָלָ֑תְ/הוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs | Suff
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/נִרְאֶ֕ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יִּהְי֖וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
חֲלֹמֹתָֽי/ו
chălôwm
H2472
"dream"
N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means a dream, which can be ordinary or have a prophetic meaning, as seen in the Bible where God communicates through dreams. It appears in the story of Joseph in Genesis. The word is also used in Joel 2:28.
Definition: 1) dream 1a) dream (ordinary) 1b) dream (with prophetic meaning) Aramaic equivalent: che.lem (חֵ֫לֶם "dream" H2493)
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: dream(-er). See also: Genesis 20:3; Deuteronomy 13:2; Psalms 73:20.
Study Notes — Genesis 37:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 37:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 37:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 37:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 37:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
- Sermons on Genesis 37:20
Context — Joseph Sold into Egypt
18Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him.
19“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another.
20“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!”
21When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. 22“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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Titus 3:3 | For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. |
| 2 | Proverbs 27:4 | Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy? |
| 3 | Matthew 2:2–16 | asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. |
| 4 | 2 Kings 2:24 | Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. |
| 5 | Proverbs 1:11–12 | 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. |
| 6 | Proverbs 6:17 | haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, |
| 7 | Psalms 64:5 | They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 26:2 | So Saul, accompanied by three thousand chosen men of Israel, went down to the Wilderness of Ziph to search for David there. |
| 9 | Proverbs 10:18 | The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. |
| 10 | 1 Kings 13:24 | As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. |
Genesis 37:20 Summary
[Genesis 37:20 shows us that when we let jealousy and anger control our actions, it can lead to hurtful and destructive behavior towards others. Joseph's brothers were so consumed by their resentment towards him that they plotted to kill him, but this verse also sets the stage for God's plan to ultimately prevail, as seen in the rest of the story. As we reflect on this verse, we can learn the importance of forgiving others and treating them with kindness, just as God teaches us in Matthew 5:23-24 and Ephesians 4:32. By choosing to love and forgive, we can avoid throwing others into the 'pits' of hurt and resentment, and instead work to rescue and uplift them.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What motivated Joseph's brothers to want to kill him?
Joseph's brothers were motivated by jealousy and resentment towards him, as seen in Genesis 37:20, where they plot to kill him because of his dreams and the special treatment he received from their father, as mentioned in Genesis 37:3-4.
What does the phrase 'vicious animal' refer to in this verse?
The phrase 'vicious animal' in Genesis 37:20 is a ruse that Joseph's brothers plan to use to explain his disappearance, making it seem like he was attacked by a wild animal, similar to the way Cain tried to deceive God in Genesis 4:9.
How does this verse relate to the concept of sibling rivalry?
Genesis 37:20 illustrates the extreme consequences of unchecked sibling rivalry, as Joseph's brothers allow their jealousy and anger to escalate into a plot to kill him, highlighting the importance of resolving conflicts and forgiving one another, as taught in Matthew 5:23-24 and Ephesians 4:32.
What can we learn from the brothers' plan to 'see what becomes of his dreams'?
The brothers' plan to 'see what becomes of his dreams' in Genesis 37:20 shows that they are not only trying to get rid of Joseph but also trying to thwart God's plan for his life, which is a lesson to us that God's plans and purposes will ultimately prevail, as stated in Proverbs 19:21 and Isaiah 46:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be allowing jealousy or resentment to control my actions towards others?
- How can I apply the principle of forgiving my brothers and sisters in Christ, as mentioned in Matthew 5:23-24, to my relationships with others?
- What are some 'pits' in my life that I may be throwing others into, whether through my words or actions, and how can I work to rescue them instead?
- In what ways can I be more like Reuben, who tried to rescue Joseph from his brothers' hands, by standing up for and protecting those around me?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 37:20
Come now therefore, and let us slay him,.... Agree to do it, and actually do it: and cast him into some pit; or, "one of the pits" (s), which were near, and were dug for the collection of rainwater,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 37:20
And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. When they saw him afar off.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
Cast him into some pit; partly, as unworthy of burial; partly, to cover their villanous action; and partly, that they might quickly put him out of their sight and minds. Some evil beast hath devoured him, there being great store of such creatures in those parts. See .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.Ver. 20. And we will say.] So they consult, to cover their murder with a lie. One sin admitted makes way for another. He that hath fallen down one rung of hell’ s ladder, knows not where he shall stop, till he break his neck at the bottom.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
(20) Into some pit.—Heb., into one of the pits, that is, cisterns dug to catch and preserve the rain water. In summer they are dry, and a man thrown into one of them would have very little chance of escape, as they are not only deep, but narrow at the top. The Jewish interpreters accuse Simeon of being the prime mover in the plot, and say that this was the reason why Joseph cast him into prison (Genesis 42:24).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
Verse 20. Come now and let us slay him] What unprincipled savages these must have been to talk thus coolly about imbruing their hands in an innocent brother's blood! How necessary is a Divine revelation, to show man what God hates and what he loves! Ferocious cruelty is the principal characteristic of the nations and tribes who receive not the law at his mouth.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 37:20
20. one of the pits) Cisterns, or tanks, are necessary in that country for the storage of water. Long droughts are frequent, and the heat very great. Water is needed for the flocks and herds. The tanks are frequently covered with a stone. The aperture is narrow, and the sides of the tank converging.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 37:20
20. Let us slay him — Here we note the dark and brutal passions to which they had yielded under the power of jealousy and envy. They now show themselves fit for foulest deeds and blackest falsehoods.
Sermons on Genesis 37:20
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Genesis) Genesis 37:20-26 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph and his brothers from the book of Genesis. The speaker highlights the actions of Reuben, who shows maturity and compassio |
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(Titus - Part 23): Christian Subjection to Government by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of Christians actively engaging in doing good works. He encourages believers to be responsive to the needs of others and to b |
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Regeneration - Part 1 by Charles Leiter | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of regeneration, emphasizing its supernatural and miraculous nature. He highlights the contrast between our previous state of fool |
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The Saved Jew Blesses His Merciful God by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing a conversation he had with someone about believers' baptism. He takes his time to explain every text in the New Testament that supp |
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Hating, Forgiving, Loving One Another by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships. He shares a story of a boy who had a fight with his brother and encourages |
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Salvation Is by Revelation by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for transformation through the grace and love of God. He highlights the sinful nature of humanity, living in envy, jealousy, and va |
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Does Doctrine Matter - Part 7 by Derek Melton | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the Christian experience of being dead in sin and feeling the wrath of God. He criticizes the idea of coming to God for personal gain rather |