Genesis 37 20

Genesis 37:20 kjv

Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

Genesis 37:20 nkjv

Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams!"

Genesis 37:20 niv

"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."

Genesis 37:20 esv

Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams."

Genesis 37:20 nlt

"Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, 'A wild animal has eaten him.' Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!"

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 20 meaning

Genesis 37:20 records the chilling proposal of Joseph's brothers, who conspired to murder him and conceal their crime. Their intention was not only to eliminate their favored brother but, more significantly, to thwart the prophetic dreams God had given Joseph, which foretold his future prominence over them. Their words reflect deep envy, hatred, and a direct challenge to what they perceived as divine intervention in Joseph's life.

Genesis 37 20 Context

Genesis chapter 37 introduces Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob and firstborn of Rachel, favored deeply by his father (evident in the long-sleeved tunic). Joseph's reporting of his brothers' misdeeds and his prophetic dreams of future dominion (Gen 37:5-11) ignite intense hatred and envy among his siblings. This hatred escalates into a murderous plot when Joseph comes to check on them in Dothan. Verse 20 outlines the concrete, malicious plan to eliminate Joseph and thereby negate the perceived divine favor and destiny his dreams implied, demonstrating their active rebellion against a higher power.

Genesis 37 20 Word Analysis

• Come now therefore:
  • Hebrew: וְעַתָּה לְכוּ (v'attah lekhu).
  • "V'attah" (וְעַתָּה): "and now" or "therefore," a transition word signaling a proposed immediate course of action. It connects their current indignation to the brutal proposal.
  • "Lekhu" (לְכוּ): Plural imperative of "to go/come," meaning "come, let us." It signifies a collective call to action, binding them together in a shared criminal enterprise. It conveys a sense of urgency and decisiveness in their dark counsel.
• and let us slay him:
  • Hebrew: וְנַהַרְגֵהוּ (v'nahargehu).
  • "Nahargehu" (נַהַרְגֵהוּ): From the root הָרַג (harag), meaning "to kill, slay, murder." This is a strong verb indicating intentional, fatal violence, not just injury. It explicitly reveals their premeditated malice and the ultimate evil of their intent. Their plan was for cold-blooded murder.
• and cast him:
  • Hebrew: וְנַשְׁלִיכֵהוּ (v'nashlikhehu).
  • "Nashlikhehu" (נַשְׁלִיכֵהוּ): From the root שָׁלַךְ (shalakh), "to throw, cast, fling down." It suggests a forceful and unceremonious disposal. This verb often carries a negative connotation, indicating abandonment or discarding something as worthless.
• into some pit:
  • Hebrew: אֶל־אַחַד הַבֹּרוֹת (el-achad ha-borot).
  • "Borot" (בֹּרוֹת): Plural of בּוֹר (bor), "pit, cistern, dungeon." In ancient Palestine, pits were dry wells or underground cisterns used for water storage, often empty during dry seasons. They were also used as makeshift prisons or to dispose of bodies, offering a silent and seemingly untraceable method for the intended cover-up. It speaks to the barrenness and hopelessness of their planned tomb.
• and we will say:
  • Hebrew: וְאָמַרְנוּ (v'amarnu).
  • "V'amarnu" (וְאָמַרְנוּ): "and we will say." This denotes a collective and deliberate act of deception. It indicates a pre-meditated cover-up strategy. The "we" signifies their unity in conspiracy and complicity.
• Some evil beast hath devoured him:
  • Hebrew: חַיָּה רָעָה אֲכָלַתְהוּ (chayyah ra'ah achalathu).
  • "Chayyah ra'ah" (חַיָּה רָעָה): "an evil/savage/wild animal." This was a common and believable explanation for a disappearance or death in the wilderness, allowing them to shift blame away from themselves and onto the natural hazards of the region. It points to their deceitful intent.
  • "Ashalathu" (אֲכָלַתְהוּ): From the root אָכַל (akal), "to eat, consume, devour." It implies a complete destruction, leaving no trace or evidence. This completes their planned narrative of an accidental and unfortunate end, making inquiry less likely.
• and we shall see what will become of his dreams:
  • Hebrew: וְנִרְאֶה מַה־יִּהְיוּ חֲלֹמֹתָיו (v'nireh mah-yihyu chalomotav).
  • This phrase is the ultimate declaration of their defiance against divine will. It reveals the core motivation for their act – to annul what they perceive as God's plan or blessing for Joseph. They seek to mock and nullify God's prophetic word by their human action.
  • "Nireh" (נִרְאֶה): "and we shall see," future tense, conveying a sense of anticipation and malicious satisfaction.
  • "Chalomotav" (חֲלֹמֹתָיו): "his dreams." The direct target of their action is God's revealed purpose, communicated through Joseph's dreams. This highlights a foundational theological conflict: human autonomy/rebellion vs. divine sovereignty.

Genesis 37 20 Bonus Section

The proposed murder of Joseph and his subsequent journey to Egypt provide one of the most significant prefigures of Christ in the Old Testament. Both Joseph and Jesus were beloved sons, rejected and betrayed by their own brothers (the Jews), unjustly suffered, were "put to death" (Joseph figuratively, Jesus literally), descended to a metaphorical "pit" (Joseph the literal pit/prison, Jesus the grave), were exalted by God, and ultimately became saviors to their people, including those who betrayed them, offering forgiveness and life from "death" (famine/sin). This foreshadowing highlights God's consistent redemptive pattern and His ability to use the evil intentions of humans to achieve His divine good (Gen 50:20).

Genesis 37 20 Commentary

Genesis 37:20 vividly captures the depth of malice and defiance inherent in human sin. Joseph's brothers, driven by deep-seated envy and hatred sparked by their father's favoritism and Joseph's divine dreams, transition from resentment to murderous intent. Their plan is not merely to harm Joseph, but specifically to nullify what they interpret as God's prophetic declaration of Joseph's future authority. By proposing to slay him and cover it up with a plausible lie—that an evil beast devoured him—they aim to control their destiny and assert their will against a perceived divine scheme.

This verse reveals a profound theological truth: human beings, in their fallen state, often strive to thwart God's plans. However, it also sets the stage for a grand display of divine sovereignty. Their very attempt to destroy Joseph, ironically, becomes the means by which God elevates him and fulfills those very dreams. The pit symbolizes their desire for a final, irreversible end, yet it leads directly to the chain of events that takes Joseph to Egypt, to power, and ultimately, to save his family. Their cynical challenge, "we shall see what will become of his dreams," serves as a poignant setup for God to demonstrate that His counsel stands firm, regardless of human resistance.