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.

GENESIS 37:22KJV
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Genesis 37:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:22 mean?

Genesis 37:22 shows Reuben urging his brothers not to kill Joseph, but instead to throw him alive into a pit in the wilderness, with the hidden intention of rescuing Joseph later and returning him safely to their father. Reuben’s words are meant to prevent his brothers from committing murder while secretly planning to save Joseph.

In this scene, Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob, speaks to his brothers as they plot against Joseph out of jealousy. The brothers are considering killing Joseph, but Reuben suggests an alternative that spares Joseph’s life, hoping to protect him without directly confronting his brothers. The verse highlights Reuben’s attempt to balance family loyalty with the dangerous group dynamics among the brothers.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:22

  • שָׁפַךְ (shafakh, “Shed”): This word means to pour out or spill, often used for bloodshed or violence. Reuben’s use of this word emphasizes his desire to avoid outright murder.
  • בּוֹר (bor, “pit”): This refers to a cistern or dry well. The pit in the wilderness would be a place where Joseph could be left without immediate danger from his brothers, but still in a vulnerable position.
  • נָצַל (natsal, “rid”): This word means to snatch away or rescue. The verse makes clear that Reuben’s real motive is to rescue Joseph from harm, not just to avoid bloodshed.
  • הֵשִׁיב (heshiv, “deliver/again”): This word means to return or bring back. Reuben’s intention is not just to save Joseph but to restore him to their father, Jacob.

Why Genesis 37:22 matters

  • Genesis 37:22 clarifies that not all of Joseph’s brothers wanted to kill him; Reuben’s intervention shows division and complexity within the group.
  • The verse reveals Reuben’s character as someone who tries to prevent violence, even if he does so indirectly and secretly.
  • This moment sets up the later events in Joseph’s story, showing that his survival was not just chance, but involved the choices and intentions of his family members.

Where else these words appear

“pit” Hebrew H953 · used in 64 verses

  • 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.
  • 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;

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
  • Joshua 22:9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

“Shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

“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.