And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

GENESIS 37:29KJV
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Genesis 37:29 (KJV)

What does Genesis 37:29 mean?

Genesis 37:29 describes how Reuben, the oldest brother, returned to the pit where Joseph had been thrown, only to find that Joseph was no longer there. In distress, Reuben tore his clothes, a sign of deep grief and shock in ancient times.

This moment happens after Joseph’s brothers had thrown him into a pit, planning to leave him there, but then sold him to traders while Reuben was away. Reuben’s reaction shows he did not agree with the others’ actions and was deeply upset by Joseph’s disappearance. The verse highlights the tension among the brothers and sets up the next part of Joseph’s story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 37:29

  • רְאוּבֵן (Re'uven, "Reuben"): This is the name of Jacob’s firstborn son, who is shown here as caring about Joseph’s fate, setting him apart from his brothers.
  • בּוֹר (bor, "pit"): The word refers to a cistern or dry well, emphasizing the danger Joseph was in and the seriousness of the brothers’ actions.
  • קָרַע (qara', "rent"): This verb means to tear or rip, and in this context, it refers to tearing one’s clothes as a traditional sign of mourning or distress in ancient Israelite culture.
  • בֶּגֶד (beged, "clothes"): The word for garments, which were often torn in moments of grief, making Reuben’s emotional response visible and culturally significant.

Why Genesis 37:29 matters

  • Genesis 37:29 makes it clear that Reuben did not want Joseph to be harmed and was not present when Joseph was sold, which helps explain his later actions and guilt.
  • The verse highlights the ancient custom of tearing clothes as a public sign of grief, helping modern readers understand the depth of Reuben’s distress.
  • This moment increases the dramatic tension in the story, showing the consequences of the brothers’ betrayal and setting up the unfolding events in Joseph’s life.

Where else these words appear

“rent” Hebrew H7167 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • 1 Kings 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

“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.