Genesis 37:29 - Reuben returned to the pit; and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
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What does "Genesis 37:29" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Reuben returned to the pit..." Reuben, Joseph's eldest brother, had initially convinced the other brothers not to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:21-22). His plan was to throw Joseph into the pit and then secretly rescue him later. This verse refers to Reuben going back to the pit, presumably intending to carry out his plan.
"...and saw that Joseph wasn't in the pit..." This is the critical realization. When Reuben arrives at the pit, Joseph is gone. He was either taken out alive by someone, or more realistically based on the surrounding context, removed by the brothers and sold into slavery.
"...and he tore his clothes." Tearing one's clothes was a traditional Jewish expression of intense grief, mourning, and despair. Reuben's reaction indicates several things:
Genuine distress: He's genuinely upset that Joseph is no longer in the pit. His plan to save Joseph has failed.
Fear and guilt: He fears the consequences of Joseph's disappearance. He knows he'll be held responsible by his father, Jacob. He also feels guilty for not being able to protect his brother.
Apprehension about the brothers' reaction: He probably now understands that his brothers betrayed his trust and are now likely to cover up Joseph's fate.
Awareness of the lie: He realizes that he will have to join his brothers in their deceit to their father Jacob.
In essence, this verse signifies:
The failure of Reuben's attempt to save Joseph.
Reuben's realization that Joseph is likely dead or has suffered a terrible fate.
Reuben's emotional distress and fear of the consequences of Joseph's disappearance.
The deepening of the brothers' deception and the beginning of a long period of sorrow for Jacob.
This verse sets the stage for the next part of the story, where the brothers concoct a story to explain Joseph's absence to their father. It's a moment of dramatic irony, as the reader knows what really happened, but Jacob is about to be cruelly deceived.
Genesis 37:29 - Reuben returned to the pit; and saw that Joseph wasn’t in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
What does "Genesis 37:29" mean?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"Reuben returned to the pit..." Reuben, Joseph's eldest brother, had initially convinced the other brothers not to kill Joseph (Genesis 37:21-22). His plan was to throw Joseph into the pit and then secretly rescue him later. This verse refers to Reuben going back to the pit, presumably intending to carry out his plan.
"...and saw that Joseph wasn't in the pit..." This is the critical realization. When Reuben arrives at the pit, Joseph is gone. He was either taken out alive by someone, or more realistically based on the surrounding context, removed by the brothers and sold into slavery.
"...and he tore his clothes." Tearing one's clothes was a traditional Jewish expression of intense grief, mourning, and despair. Reuben's reaction indicates several things:
Genuine distress: He's genuinely upset that Joseph is no longer in the pit. His plan to save Joseph has failed.
Fear and guilt: He fears the consequences of Joseph's disappearance. He knows he'll be held responsible by his father, Jacob. He also feels guilty for not being able to protect his brother.
Apprehension about the brothers' reaction: He probably now understands that his brothers betrayed his trust and are now likely to cover up Joseph's fate.
Awareness of the lie: He realizes that he will have to join his brothers in their deceit to their father Jacob.
In essence, this verse signifies:
The failure of Reuben's attempt to save Joseph.
Reuben's realization that Joseph is likely dead or has suffered a terrible fate.
Reuben's emotional distress and fear of the consequences of Joseph's disappearance.
The deepening of the brothers' deception and the beginning of a long period of sorrow for Jacob.
This verse sets the stage for the next part of the story, where the brothers concoct a story to explain Joseph's absence to their father. It's a moment of dramatic irony, as the reader knows what really happened, but Jacob is about to be cruelly deceived.