Genesis 37:20

20 Come on now, let's kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we'll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!"

Genesis 37:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 37:20

Come now therefore, and let us slay him
Agree to do it, and actually do it:

and cast him into some pit;
or, "one of the pits" ^F19, which were near, and were dug for the collection of rainwater, as was usual in those countries where water was scarce:

and we will say, some evil beast hath devoured him;
which would seem plausible, since wild beasts were frequent in those parts, as lions and bears, see ( 1 Kings 13:24 ) ( 2 Kings 2:24 ) ;

and we shall see what will become of his dreams;
who will be the lord then, and reign, and have the dominion, he or we.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F19 (twrbh dxab) "in unam cisternarum", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "in unam ex cisternis istis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "in unam fovearum", Schmidt.

Genesis 37:20 In-Context

18 They saw Joseph in the distance before he got close to them, and they plotted to kill him.

19 The brothers said to each other, "Here comes the big dreamer.

20 Come on now, let's kill him and throw him into one of the cisterns, and we'll say a wild animal devoured him. Then we will see what becomes of his dreams!"

21 When Reuben heard what they said, he saved him from them, telling them, "Let's not take his life."

22 Reuben said to them, "Don't spill his blood! Throw him into this desert cistern, but don't lay a hand on him." He intended to save Joseph from them and take him back to his father.