And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

GENESIS 37:24KJV
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Genesis 37:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:24 mean?

Genesis 37:24 describes how Joseph’s brothers took him and threw him into a pit, which was empty and had no water in it. The verse shows that Joseph was left in a dry, abandoned place, making his situation more desperate and unsafe.

In this part of the story, Joseph’s brothers have become jealous and angry with him. Instead of killing him, they decide to get rid of him by putting him in a pit. The detail that the pit was empty and without water highlights that Joseph had no resources or comfort, emphasizing the seriousness of his predicament.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:24

  • The word for "pit" is בּוֹר (bor), which often refers to a cistern or a deep hole dug for storing water. Here, it is used to show that Joseph was placed in a place meant for water, but it was dry and useless for rescue or survival.
  • The word "empty" is רֵק (req), meaning completely void or lacking. This stresses that the pit offered Joseph no hope of sustenance or escape.
  • The word for "water" is מַיִם (mayim), which simply means water. The verse specifically points out its absence, underlining Joseph’s vulnerability and the brothers’ intent to leave him helpless.

Why Genesis 37:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joseph was not just imprisoned, but left in a place where he could not survive long, showing the severity of his brothers’ actions.
  • The detail about the pit being empty and without water makes clear that the brothers were not simply hiding Joseph, but putting him in real danger.
  • This moment sets up the next events in Joseph’s story, explaining how he was in a position to be found and sold rather than killed or rescued by chance.

Where else these words appear

“empty” Hebrew H7386 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
  • Judges 11:3 Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

“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;

“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.