Genesis 37:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Reuben {H7205} said {H559} unto them, Shed {H8210} no blood {H1818}, but cast {H7993} him into this pit {H953} that is in the wilderness {H4057}, and lay {H7971} no hand {H3027} upon him; that he might rid {H5337} him out of their hands {H3027}, to deliver {H7725} him to his father {H1} again {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't shed blood," Re'uven added. "Throw him into this cistern here in the wilds, but don't lay hands on him yourselves." He intended to rescue him from them later and restore him to his father.

Berean Standard Bible

“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.

American Standard Version

And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood; cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but lay no hand upon him: that he might deliver him out of their hand, to restore him to his father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 37:22 marks a pivotal turn in the unfolding drama of Joseph, revealing Reuben's strategic intervention to prevent his brothers' murderous plot. Consumed by bitter envy, Joseph's ten elder brothers conspired to kill him, but Reuben, the firstborn, proposed a less direct method: casting Joseph into a desolate pit. His secret intention was to later rescue Joseph and restore him to their grieving father, Jacob. This act, while imperfect and ultimately leading to Joseph's sale into slavery, highlights the profound dysfunction within Jacob's family and serves as a crucial, divinely orchestrated step in God's overarching plan for Joseph and the nascent nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 37:22 is embedded within the intensely emotional and dramatic narrative of Joseph, beginning with [Jacob's profound favoritism](/genesis/37-3 "Jacob's Favoritism for Joseph") towards him, signified by the coat of many colors. This favoritism, coupled with Joseph's prophetic dreams of his family bowing down to him, ignited a fervent hatred and jealousy among his older brothers, culminating in their murderous conspiracy. The immediate verses preceding this one detail the brothers' initial plot to kill Joseph and cast him into a pit, proclaiming to their father that a wild animal devoured him ([Genesis 37:18-20](/genesis/37-18-20 "The Brothers' Plot Against Joseph")). Reuben's intervention in [Genesis 37:21-22](/genesis/37-21-22 "Reuben's Intervention to Save Joseph") serves as a crucial narrative pivot, diverting the brothers from immediate bloodshed and setting the stage for Joseph's eventual sale into slavery, a twist that paradoxically aligns with God's long-term purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, the firstborn son, like Reuben, held significant authority and responsibility within the family. He was typically the heir to a double portion of the inheritance and was expected to assume leadership, including protecting his younger siblings. Reuben's actions, despite his own moral failings elsewhere in the narrative (e.g., [Genesis 35:22](/genesis/35-22 "Reuben's Transgression")), reflect this inherent responsibility. The "pit" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) mentioned was a common feature in the arid wilderness of Canaan – typically a dry cistern or a storage well for rainwater, often deep and difficult to exit, making it a convenient, albeit harsh, place to abandon someone. The act of "shedding blood" carried immense moral and legal weight in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often demanding retribution, and was a profound violation of the sanctity of life, even before the Mosaic Law explicitly codified it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **destructive power of human sin**, specifically **sibling rivalry, envy, and hatred**, which lead the brothers to contemplate fratricide. Simultaneously, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty and providence**, demonstrating how God can work through human actions, even those born of sin or imperfect motives, to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Reuben's partial intervention, though not fully successful in his immediate aim, becomes a crucial step in Joseph's journey of **descent and exaltation**, a pattern that will recur throughout his story and resonate with other biblical figures. It also touches upon the **sanctity of human life**, as Reuben seeks to avoid direct bloodshed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** This word, derived from a root suggesting that which causes death when shed, refers to the vital fluid of humans or animals. In this context, "shed no blood" (Hebrew: _lo tishpekhu dam_) carries profound moral weight, emphasizing the gravity of taking a human life. It signifies not merely physical liquid but the essence of life itself, underscoring the brothers' murderous intent and Reuben's moral objection to direct homicide.
* **Pit (Hebrew, _bôwr'_):** This term denotes a hole in the ground, specifically a cistern or dungeon. In the wilderness, such pits were often dry wells used for water storage. For Joseph, being cast into this _bôwr_ symbolizes a descent into abandonment, despair, and a state akin to death, serving as a precursor to his later imprisonment and trials. It represents a place of confinement and helplessness, yet paradoxically, it also becomes a place of preservation, diverting him from immediate death.
* **Rid (Hebrew, _nâtsal'_):** This verb means "to snatch away," "deliver," "rescue," or "preserve." Reuben's intention was to "rid him out of their hands," signifying his desire to actively rescue Joseph from the immediate danger posed by his brothers and to remove him from their control. This word highlights Reuben's protective, albeit ultimately thwarted, aim to preserve Joseph's life and facilitate his return to Jacob.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood,"**: As the eldest, Reuben steps forward to address his brothers' murderous intent. His command, "Shed no blood," is a direct moral appeal, urging them away from the ultimate act of fratricide. This phrase underscores the sanctity of human life, even in a context of intense family hatred, and reveals Reuben's conscience, however flawed.
* **"but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness,"**: Reuben proposes an alternative action: to throw Joseph into a dry cistern or well in the desolate wilderness. This suggestion appears less violent but is still a severe act of abandonment, leaving Joseph to face exposure, starvation, or wild animals. It is a calculated move to avoid direct culpability for murder while still removing Joseph from their presence.
* **"and lay no hand upon him;"**: This reinforces Reuben's primary objective: to prevent direct physical harm or murder at their hands. It emphasizes a desire for a clean conscience, avoiding the defilement of bloodshed, even if the indirect consequences of abandonment might be fatal. It highlights the distinction between active murder and passive neglect in Reuben's mind.
* **"that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again."**: This final clause explicitly reveals Reuben's secret, benevolent motive. He intended to rescue Joseph from the pit later, once the brothers had departed, and restore him safely to Jacob. This shows a flicker of familial loyalty and a desire to spare his father the immense grief of Joseph's death, demonstrating a complex mixture of self-interest (to regain favor as firstborn) and genuine concern.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 37:22 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Reuben's attempt to save Joseph from death by casting him into a pit inadvertently sets in motion the very events that lead to Joseph's prolonged suffering and eventual sale into slavery. This act of "rescue" becomes a catalyst for further trials. **Foreshadowing** is also evident; Joseph's descent into the pit prefigures his later descent into an Egyptian dungeon and, ultimately, his metaphorical "death" to his family, before his eventual **exaltation**. The "pit" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not only a place of abandonment and near-death but also a crucible where God's providential plan begins to unfold, transforming a place of despair into a necessary step towards future deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 37:22, though a moment of human depravity and imperfect intervention, serves as a profound illustration of God's overarching sovereignty. Despite the brothers' sinful envy and Reuben's mixed motives, God orchestrates these events to serve His larger redemptive purposes, demonstrating His ability to work through human choices, both good and ill, to bring about His will. This passage underscores the sanctity of human life, as Reuben's plea to "shed no blood" echoes a fundamental moral principle established even before the Mosaic Law. It also highlights the destructive nature of unchecked sin, particularly envy and hatred, which can corrupt familial bonds and lead to horrific acts. Ultimately, Joseph's experience in the pit foreshadows a recurring biblical theme of descent into suffering followed by divine exaltation, a pattern that points forward to the ultimate deliverer.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Good Purpose")
* [Proverbs 27:4](/proverbs/27-4 "The Destructive Nature of Envy")
* [Genesis 9:6](/genesis/9-6 "The Sanctity of Human Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 37:22 offers timeless lessons for believers today, challenging us to examine our own hearts and relationships. The brothers' unchecked envy serves as a stark warning about the corrosive power of sin within families and communities. It calls us to guard against bitterness, jealousy, and resentment, recognizing how quickly such emotions can escalate into destructive actions. Reuben's intervention, though imperfect, reminds us of the importance of standing against injustice and cruelty, even when it means challenging those closest to us. It demonstrates that even partial or flawed attempts to do good can, by God's grace, be woven into His greater purposes. This passage ultimately invites us to trust in God's sovereign hand, even amidst betrayal, hardship, and seemingly chaotic circumstances. It assures us that God can redeem even the darkest human actions, using them to advance His perfect plan, fostering resilience and hope in our own trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does unchecked envy and favoritism manifest in relationships today, and what steps can we take to prevent its destructive impact?**
* **When faced with injustice or harmful actions, what are our responsibilities to intervene, even if our efforts are imperfect or face obstacles?**
* **How does the narrative of Joseph's descent into the pit encourage us to trust God's providence during our own periods of suffering or perceived abandonment?**
* **In what ways might God be working through difficult or even sinful human actions in the world today to accomplish His ultimate good purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why did Reuben intervene, and was his plan successful?**

Answer: Reuben intervened primarily to prevent his brothers from directly shedding Joseph's blood, which would have been a grave sin and likely brought severe consequences upon the family. He proposed casting Joseph into a pit, secretly intending to return later and rescue him, thereby restoring Joseph to their father, Jacob. While he succeeded in preventing immediate murder, his ultimate plan to rescue Joseph was thwarted. While Reuben was absent, the other brothers sold Joseph to Ishmaelite traders ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")). Thus, his intervention was partially successful in preventing a greater sin, but not fully in achieving his desired outcome of returning Joseph to Jacob.

**What is the significance of the "pit" in this narrative?**

Answer: The "pit" (Hebrew: _bôwr_) was likely a dry cistern or well, common in the wilderness. Symbolically, it represents Joseph's descent into despair, abandonment, and a state akin to death, foreshadowing his later imprisonment in Egypt. However, paradoxically, it also served as a crucial step in God's providential plan. By diverting Joseph from immediate death, the pit became a necessary, albeit painful, detour that ultimately led to his exaltation and the salvation of his family from famine, as Joseph himself later acknowledged ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Good Purpose")).

**Does this verse show God's direct intervention or human agency?**

Answer: Genesis 37:22 primarily highlights human agency—Reuben's moral decision, strategic thinking, and desire to protect his brother and father. However, the broader narrative, especially Joseph's later reflections, reveals God's overarching providence working *through* these human actions. God uses the choices of individuals, even their imperfect or sinful ones, to accomplish His divine purposes. It demonstrates that God's plan is not derailed by human sin but can incorporate and redeem it, orchestrating events to fulfill His ultimate will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 37:22, a moment of profound betrayal and descent for Joseph, powerfully prefigures the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Joseph, the beloved son of his father, yet hated and conspired against by his own brothers, is cast into a pit. This act of abandonment and descent into a grave-like enclosure strikingly mirrors Christ, the beloved Son of God, who was rejected by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "Jesus Rejected by His Own")), descended into the "pit" of death through crucifixion, and was laid in a tomb. Just as Joseph's descent was not the end but a divinely orchestrated step towards his exaltation and the eventual salvation of his family from famine, so too was Christ's death and burial a necessary descent into the depths of human suffering and the grave. This descent, however, led directly to His glorious resurrection and exaltation ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's Exaltation and Lordship")), bringing spiritual life and salvation to all who believe in Him. The "pit" in Joseph's story thus serves as a powerful type of the grave, and Joseph's emergence from it, even through further trials, points directly to Christ's ultimate victory over death, offering eternal life to a world spiritually starving ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 24:11

And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

Genesis 42:22

And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

Deuteronomy 13:9

But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people.

Genesis 22:12

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me.

Acts 12:1

¶ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.

Matthew 27:24

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].