Genesis 37:21 - Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.”
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What does "Genesis 37:21" mean?
Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob, which made his brothers jealous. This jealousy escalated when Joseph had dreams suggesting he would rule over them.
Verse 21, "Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life,”" is a crucial turning point in the story. Here's what it means:
Reuben heard it: Reuben, the eldest brother, overheard the brothers plotting to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:18-20).
and delivered him out of their hand: Reuben intervened to save Joseph from being killed by his brothers.
and said, “Let’s not take his life.”: Reuben suggested an alternative to murder. He proposed they throw Joseph into a pit in the wilderness instead of killing him directly.
The Significance of Reuben's Actions:
Reuben as a reluctant savior: Reuben's motive might not have been entirely pure. He may have wanted to save Joseph to return him to Jacob later, hoping to regain favor with his father. The text implies he intended to rescue Joseph from the pit later (Genesis 37:22).
A temporary reprieve: Reuben's intervention only delayed Joseph's fate. He managed to convince his brothers not to kill Joseph outright, but his plan to rescue him was thwarted when he was away from the group (Genesis 37:29). The other brothers sold Joseph into slavery while Reuben was absent.
Moral Ambiguity: The verse highlights the moral complexities of the story. While Reuben's actions are better than outright murder, they are not entirely honorable. He is trying to protect Joseph, but also potentially manipulate the situation to his advantage.
Irony: The brothers believe they are preventing Joseph's dreams from coming true by getting rid of him, but in fact, their actions set in motion the very events that will eventually lead to the fulfillment of those dreams.
In essence, this verse shows Reuben's attempt to prevent Joseph's murder, offering a less violent alternative. However, it also foreshadows the eventual sale of Joseph into slavery and the complex moral dynamics within the family.
Genesis 37:21 - Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life.”
What does "Genesis 37:21" mean?
Genesis 37 tells the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob, which made his brothers jealous. This jealousy escalated when Joseph had dreams suggesting he would rule over them.
Verse 21, "Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, “Let’s not take his life,”" is a crucial turning point in the story. Here's what it means:
Reuben heard it: Reuben, the eldest brother, overheard the brothers plotting to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:18-20).
and delivered him out of their hand: Reuben intervened to save Joseph from being killed by his brothers.
and said, “Let’s not take his life.”: Reuben suggested an alternative to murder. He proposed they throw Joseph into a pit in the wilderness instead of killing him directly.
The Significance of Reuben's Actions:
Reuben as a reluctant savior: Reuben's motive might not have been entirely pure. He may have wanted to save Joseph to return him to Jacob later, hoping to regain favor with his father. The text implies he intended to rescue Joseph from the pit later (Genesis 37:22).
A temporary reprieve: Reuben's intervention only delayed Joseph's fate. He managed to convince his brothers not to kill Joseph outright, but his plan to rescue him was thwarted when he was away from the group (Genesis 37:29). The other brothers sold Joseph into slavery while Reuben was absent.
Moral Ambiguity: The verse highlights the moral complexities of the story. While Reuben's actions are better than outright murder, they are not entirely honorable. He is trying to protect Joseph, but also potentially manipulate the situation to his advantage.
Irony: The brothers believe they are preventing Joseph's dreams from coming true by getting rid of him, but in fact, their actions set in motion the very events that will eventually lead to the fulfillment of those dreams.
In essence, this verse shows Reuben's attempt to prevent Joseph's murder, offering a less violent alternative. However, it also foreshadows the eventual sale of Joseph into slavery and the complex moral dynamics within the family.