Genesis 37 24

Genesis 37:24 kjv

And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:24 nkjv

Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:24 niv

and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:24 esv

And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Genesis 37:24 nlt

Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

Genesis 37 verses

Genesis 37 24 meaning

This verse describes a pivotal moment in Joseph's life where his envious brothers seize him and cast him into a pit. The specific detail that "the pit was empty, there was no water in it" is critical. It implies a dry cistern, usually used to store rainwater, which means Joseph would not drown immediately. However, it signifies a place of isolation, despair, and potential death by starvation or exposure, highlighting his complete abandonment and vulnerability in a hostile environment, yet paradoxically ensuring his survival for God's greater plan.

Genesis 37 24 Context

Genesis chapter 37 details the origins of the bitter sibling rivalry that unfolds over decades. Joseph, favored by his father Jacob and having dreams foretelling his brothers bowing before him, evokes intense jealousy from his older siblings. This animosity is inflamed when Jacob gifts Joseph a special tunic, symbolic of his favoritism. The chapter culminates in the brothers conspiring to kill Joseph, then reconsidering under Reuben's influence, leading to the decision to cast him into this pit. This act is the first step in a complex narrative of Joseph's journey from slave to viceroy, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in human affairs, even through malevolence, to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes. Historically, cisterns or pits were common in Canaan for water storage during dry seasons, often being dry and used for temporary confinement or disposal.

Genesis 37 24 Word analysis

• And they took him: Hebrew: wayyiqqāḥūhū (וַיִּקָּחֻהוּ). Implies forceful seizure. This was an act of brothers overpowering their younger sibling, marking the start of his involuntary journey.

• and cast him: Hebrew: wayyašlīḵūhū (וַיַּשְׁלִכֻהוּ). This verb suggests a violent, deliberate, and perhaps indifferent act of throwing. It portrays their complete disregard for Joseph’s well-being.

• into a pit: Hebrew: habbōrâ (הַבֹּרָה), from bōr (בּוֹר), meaning cistern, pit, or dungeon. This was a deep, dry well or underground reservoir, not a natural cave. Such pits were common and could easily become a death trap due to lack of escape or eventual starvation/exposure. For the original audience, it conjured images of desolation and imminent danger. It counters Canaanite beliefs in Baal or other gods providing water and sustenance; here, the lack of water becomes the means of Joseph's short-term preservation from drowning.

• and the pit was empty: Hebrew: wəhabôr rêq (וְהַבּוֹר רֵק). The Hebrew word rêq (רֵק) means "empty," "hollow," "vain," or "destitute." This is a crucial detail. Its emptiness indicates no immediate threat of drowning. Ironically, this very absence of water, intended to deprive him of life-sustaining elements, becomes the means of preserving his life in that exact moment.

• there was no water in it: Hebrew: ʾên bō mayim (אֵין בּוֹ מָיִם). Reinforces the prior phrase, making it explicit. Water was precious and essential for survival in this arid land. The absence of water symbolized absolute desolation and the very real threat of dying from thirst or exposure in such a confined space, reflecting the brothers' desire to see him suffer and perish without direct bloodguilt.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And they took him, and cast him into a pit:" This phrase powerfully conveys the brothers' violent and deliberate act of removing Joseph from their midst. It marks his abrupt transition from favored son to despised victim, highlighting the severity of their malice driven by jealousy.
  • "and the pit was empty, there was no water in it." This repeated emphasis on the pit's dryness is central to the narrative. While it presents an immediate relief from drowning, it introduces a different form of existential threat: the slow, agonizing prospect of death by thirst or starvation in isolation. Spiritually, it signifies being cast into a place of utter barrenness and hopelessness, yet providentially, this "empty" space becomes the 'safe' transition point to God's bigger plan, as his sale into slavery later unfolds. It also subtly critiques notions of relying on environmental provisions (like water from local deities) by showing survival paradoxically because of the absence of such provision, emphasizing divine oversight.

Genesis 37 24 Bonus section

The type of "pit" (bor) mentioned here was distinct from a well (be'er), which contained permanent water. A bor relied on collecting rainwater and would be empty during the dry season. This subtle distinction emphasizes Joseph's dire situation without being immediately fatal. The use of an empty pit for human detention was a common practice, highlighting the ancient world's limited means of imprisonment and the brutality that could be inflicted. Joseph's abandonment in this barren place served as a powerful emotional blow, intended to instill fear and helplessness. This episode in Joseph's life foreshadows numerous biblical themes: the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked, the motif of literal and metaphorical descent into hardship (Sheol/death) followed by ascent and restoration, and the consistent display of God's ability to turn human evil into redemptive good. The emptiness of the pit also metaphorically connects to the emptiness or lack that can precede God's filling and abundance in our lives.

Genesis 37 24 Commentary

Genesis 37:24 marks a defining moment in the biblical narrative of Joseph, a descent into desolation orchestrated by familial malice. The brothers’ action of casting Joseph into an empty pit is born of their profound envy and desire to be rid of him and his dream-infused future. The explicit detail "the pit was empty, there was no water in it" is more than a descriptive observation; it's an understated stroke of divine providence. Had there been water, Joseph would likely have drowned, and the course of history would have drastically changed. Thus, what appears as a mere act of abandonment simultaneously becomes a protective measure. Joseph is preserved in a place designed for entrapment and potential death, illustrating how God can work through the darkest human intentions and direst circumstances. This 'pit' signifies a metaphorical death and burial for Joseph, echoing the theme of suffering and humiliation preceding exaltation seen repeatedly in Scripture, particularly foreshadowing Christ's own descent before His glorification. It is a stark reminder that even when God's people find themselves in "empty pits" – places of despair, isolation, or deprivation – God's unseen hand is actively working towards His purposes, ensuring their preservation for His timing and plan. It teaches us to look beyond immediate despair and recognize the sovereign hand even in seemingly hopeless situations.