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.

GENESIS 37:20KJV
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Genesis 37:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:20 mean?

Genesis 37:20 shows Joseph’s brothers plotting to kill him and cover it up by throwing him into a pit, planning to blame his disappearance on a wild animal. Their words reveal their jealousy and intent to destroy Joseph’s dreams, which had made them angry and suspicious of him.

In this verse, Joseph’s brothers are speaking to each other as Joseph approaches them. They are far from home, tending their father’s flocks, and see an opportunity to get rid of Joseph, who had shared dreams suggesting he would rule over them. The verse highlights the seriousness of their plan and the depth of their resentment.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:20

  • "Slay" (הָרַג, harag) means to kill or murder. The word makes clear that the brothers are talking about deliberately taking Joseph’s life, not just harming or scaring him.
  • "Pit" (בּוֹר, bor) refers to a cistern or dry well. This detail shows their plan was to hide Joseph’s body in a remote, hard-to-find place, making their story more believable.
  • "Beast" (חַיָּה, chayyah) means a living creature or animal, often a wild beast. The brothers plan to use this as a cover story, knowing such animals were common dangers in the area.
  • "Dreams" (חֲלוֹם, chalom) points to Joseph’s earlier dreams about his family bowing to him. Their mention of his dreams shows their motivation: they want to see if his dreams will still come true after they get rid of him.

Why Genesis 37:20 matters

  • This verse makes clear that the brothers’ actions are not accidental or impulsive; they are making a calculated plan to remove Joseph and erase his influence.
  • The mention of Joseph’s dreams ties their plot directly to their jealousy and fear of what Joseph’s future might mean for them, connecting this moment to the larger story of Joseph’s life.
  • Understanding the specific words for "slay," "pit," and "beast" helps the reader see how the brothers intend to deceive their father and cover up their crime, showing the seriousness of their intentions.

Where else these words appear

“dreams” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

“pit” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 37:22 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.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
  • Jeremiah 37:16 When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;

“cast” Hebrew H7993 · used in 121 verses

  • Genesis 21:15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
  • 2 Kings 2:21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.
  • Isaiah 19:8 The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.