Genesis 37:24

24 and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:24

And they took him, and cast him into a pit
Into the same that Reuben pointed to them, whose counsel they gladly took and readily executed, supposing he meant the same thing they did, starving him to death:

and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it;
only serpents and scorpions, as the Targum of Jonathan; and Jarchi adds, this remark, that there was no water in it, seems to be made either to furnish out a reason why Reuben directed to it, that he might be the more easily got out of it, and not be in danger of losing his life at once, or of being drowned in it; or else to show the uncomfortable situation he was in, having not so much as a drop of water to refresh him; see ( Zechariah 9:11 ) . Dothan is said to remain to this day, and the inhabitants of it show the ancient ditch into which Joseph was cast ^F21.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F21 Bunting's Travels, p. 80.

Genesis 37:24 In-Context

22 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.

23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him;

24 and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.

26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?