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.
Reuben said to them, 'Don't kill him! Just throw him into this empty well here in the wilderness, but don't hurt him.' Reuben was planning to rescue Joseph from them later and bring him back safely to their father.
Reuben is secretly trying to save his younger brother Joseph's life by convincing his other brothers to throw Joseph in a pit instead of killing him, hoping to rescue him later.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Joseph is Jacob's favored son, which sparks jealousy among his brothers and leads them to plot his murder. Reuben, as the eldest brother, intervenes to save Joseph's life by suggesting they throw him into a pit instead of killing him, hoping to rescue him later and return him to their father. This event occurs in the context of ancient family dynamics among nomadic tribes, illustrating themes of sibling rivalry and God's overarching plan.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.