Genesis 37:22

Translations

Modern

“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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

Reuben said to them, “Do not shed blood; cast him into this pit, which is in the wilderness. And do not stretch out a hand against him,”—that he might deliver him out of their hand to return him to his father.

Latin

Non interficiatis animam ejus, nec effundatis sanguinem: sed projicite eum in cisternam hanc, quæ est in solitudine, manusque vestras servate innoxias: hoc autem dicebat, volens eripere eum de manibus eorum, et reddere patri suo.

Original

Hebrew

English

“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.

Notes

Genesis 37:21–24

Reuben might have been trying to regain his father's favor (35:22) by acting as the firstborn leader (compare 42:22). Reuben succeeded in saving Joseph's life, but he did not win his father's favor (37:29–30).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Jacob Joseph Symbolic Numbers The Righteous Suffer

Events

Joseph sold to Egyptc. 1728 BC

Related verses

Deuteronomy 13:9
Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.
Acts 12:1
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.
Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
Exodus 24:11
But God did not lay His hand on the nobles of Israel; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.
Genesis 42:22
And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
Genesis 22:12
“Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”

Parallels

Acts 7:9–14

People

Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Dothan Genesis, Book of Jacob Keturah Midian, Midianite Patriarchs, Period of the Reuben (Person)

Topics

Brother: Reuben's Love for Joseph Intercession: Reuben for Joseph Jealousy: Joseph's Brothers, of Joseph Joseph: Son of Jacob: His Father's Partiality For, Excites the Jealousy of his Brethren Murder: Saints: should Warn Others Against Reuben: Adroitly Seeks to Save Joseph from the Conspiracy of his Brothers

Genesis 37:22

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