Genesis 37:24

24 And they took him and cast him into the pit; and the pit was empty, it had not water.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Bunting's Travels, p. 80.

Genesis 37:24 In-Context

22 And Ruben said to them, Shed not blood; cast him into one of these pits in the wilderness, but do not lay hands upon him; that he might rescue him out of their hands, and restore him to his father.

23 And it came to pass, when Joseph came to his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his many-coloured coat that was upon him.

24 And they took him and cast him into the pit; and the pit was empty, it had not water.

25 And they sat down to eat bread; and having lifted up their eyes they beheld, and lo, Ismaelitish travellers came from Galaad, and their camels were heavily loaded with spices, and resin, and myrrh; and they went to bring them to Egypt.

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