Genesis 37:20

20 venite occidamus eum et mittamus in cisternam veterem dicemusque fera pessima devoravit eum et tunc apparebit quid illi prosint somnia sua

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 qui cum vidissent eum procul antequam accederet ad eos cogitaverunt illum occidere
19 et mutuo loquebantur ecce somniator venit
20 venite occidamus eum et mittamus in cisternam veterem dicemusque fera pessima devoravit eum et tunc apparebit quid illi prosint somnia sua
21 audiens hoc Ruben nitebatur liberare eum de manibus eorum et dicebat
22 non interficiamus animam eius nec effundatis sanguinem sed proicite eum in cisternam hanc quae est in solitudine manusque vestras servate innoxias hoc autem dicebat volens eripere eum de manibus eorum et reddere patri suo
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.