Reuben sought to mitigate his brothers’ anger by sparing Joseph’s life.
In these words, Reuben pleads with his brothers, saying, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him” (v.22). He offers a seemingly clever alternative to outright murder, proposing that Joseph be tossed unharmed into a desert pit. This plan might appear callous; however, Scripture clarifies that Reuben’s goal was “that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father” (v.22). The wilderness pit mentioned here was likely a dry cistern, common in the rugged countryside near Dothan in northern Canaan. These cisterns were deep, often dug into limestone, and served to collect water in an otherwise arid region. By directing his brothers to place Joseph there, Reuben hoped Joseph would remain alive and safely hidden until Reuben could liberate him.
Reuben’s motives demonstrate that, despite the jealousy swirling within Jacob’s family, not all the brothers were set on violence. “Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness” (v.22) underscores the stark setting, away from populated areas, where Joseph’s fate would remain hidden from outside assistance. Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob and Leah, wished to shoulder some sense of familial responsibility, preserving Joseph’s life without directly confronting his brothers’ hostility. Historically, Reuben fits into the lineage of the patriarchs around the late 19th to early 18th century BC, during which Jacob’s family would eventually expand to become the twelve tribes of Israel. His position as firstborn placed extra pressure on him to maintain order among the brothers, though his influence was not always successful.
By stating, “but do not lay hands on him” (v.22), Reuben endeavors to prevent something irreparable from happening to Joseph, reflecting a hint of compassion in a fractured family environment that was beset by envy (Genesis 37:4) and mistrust. Although his efforts were not entirely successful, this verse still highlights a principle of looking out for the well-being of others, even among tense circumstances. This principle of compassion foreshadows themes of sacrificial care found in the New Testament, where Jesus demonstrates love toward those who wrong Him (Luke 23:34). Reuben’s attempt, though imperfect, stands as an early example of wanting to protect the vulnerable from harm.
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Genesis 37:22 meaning
In these words, Reuben pleads with his brothers, saying, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him” (v.22). He offers a seemingly clever alternative to outright murder, proposing that Joseph be tossed unharmed into a desert pit. This plan might appear callous; however, Scripture clarifies that Reuben’s goal was “that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father” (v.22). The wilderness pit mentioned here was likely a dry cistern, common in the rugged countryside near Dothan in northern Canaan. These cisterns were deep, often dug into limestone, and served to collect water in an otherwise arid region. By directing his brothers to place Joseph there, Reuben hoped Joseph would remain alive and safely hidden until Reuben could liberate him.
Reuben’s motives demonstrate that, despite the jealousy swirling within Jacob’s family, not all the brothers were set on violence. “Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness” (v.22) underscores the stark setting, away from populated areas, where Joseph’s fate would remain hidden from outside assistance. Reuben, the oldest son of Jacob and Leah, wished to shoulder some sense of familial responsibility, preserving Joseph’s life without directly confronting his brothers’ hostility. Historically, Reuben fits into the lineage of the patriarchs around the late 19th to early 18th century BC, during which Jacob’s family would eventually expand to become the twelve tribes of Israel. His position as firstborn placed extra pressure on him to maintain order among the brothers, though his influence was not always successful.
By stating, “but do not lay hands on him” (v.22), Reuben endeavors to prevent something irreparable from happening to Joseph, reflecting a hint of compassion in a fractured family environment that was beset by envy (Genesis 37:4) and mistrust. Although his efforts were not entirely successful, this verse still highlights a principle of looking out for the well-being of others, even among tense circumstances. This principle of compassion foreshadows themes of sacrificial care found in the New Testament, where Jesus demonstrates love toward those who wrong Him (Luke 23:34). Reuben’s attempt, though imperfect, stands as an early example of wanting to protect the vulnerable from harm.