Genesis 37:29

Modern

When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,

Traditional

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

Literal

And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit. And he tore his clothes,

Latin

Reversusque Ruben ad cisternam, non invenit puerum:

Hebrew

English

When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,

When Reuben returned, he tore his clothes in grief. His attempt to restore his relationship with his father by saving Joseph had gone wrong.

Theme notes and profiles

Genesis 37:34
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
Job 1:20
Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
Acts 14:14
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
Genesis 44:13
Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.
Numbers 14:6
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
Joel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Judges 11:35
As soon as Jephthah saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “No! Not my daughter! You have brought me to my knees! You have brought great misery upon me, for I have given my word to the LORD and cannot take it back.”
Genesis 34:13
But because Shechem had defiled their sister Dinah, Jacob’s sons answered him and his father Hamor deceitfully.
2 Kings 19:1
On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD.

Joseph: Son of Jacob, ruler in Egypt Reuben: Firstborn son of Jacob and Leah