Genesis 37:24
Genesis 37:24 in Multiple Translations
and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
and they took him, and cast him into the pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
And they took him and put him in the hole: now the hole had no water in it.
grabbed him and threw him into a pit. (The pit was empty—it didn't have any water in it.)
And they tooke him, and cast him into a pit, and the pit was emptie, without water in it.
and take him and cast him into the pit, and the pit [is] empty, there is no water in it.
and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it.
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
And cast him into an old pit, where there was no water.
Then they took him and threw him into the pit/cistern. But the pit/cistern was dry; there was no water in it.
And they grabbed him, and they chucked him into a big hole in the ground. That hole was empty, there wasn’t any water in it.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 37:24
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 37:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּ֨קָּחֻ֔/הוּ
וַ/יַּשְׁלִ֥כוּ
אֹת֖/וֹ
הַ/בֹּ֑רָ/ה
וְ/הַ/בּ֣וֹר
רֵ֔ק
אֵ֥ין
בּ֖/וֹ
מָֽיִם
וַ/יִּ֨קָּחֻ֔/הוּ
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
וַ/יַּשְׁלִ֥כוּ
shâlak
H7993
to throw
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
הַ/בֹּ֑רָ/ה
bôwr
H953
pit
Art | N-ms | Suff
וְ/הַ/בּ֣וֹר
bôwr
H953
pit
Conj | Art | N-ms
רֵ֔ק
rêyq
H7386
worthless
Adj
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
בּ֖/וֹ
Prep | Suff
מָֽיִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 37:24
וַ/יִּ֨קָּחֻ֔/הוּ
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp | Suff
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
וַ/יַּשְׁלִ֥כוּ
shâlak
H7993
"to throw"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To throw or cast away is the meaning of this Hebrew verb. It is used in various contexts, including throwing lots or casting out something unwanted. The word appears in stories like Jonah being thrown into the sea.
Definition: 1) to throw, cast, hurl, fling 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed, cast down 1a2) to cast (lots) (fig) 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be thrown, be cast 1b2) to be cast forth or out 1b3) to be cast down 1b4) to be cast (metaph)
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. See also: Genesis 21:15; Nehemiah 9:11; Psalms 2:3.
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/בֹּ֑רָ/ה
bôwr
H953
"pit"
Art | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
וְ/הַ/בּ֣וֹר
bôwr
H953
"pit"
Conj | Art | N-ms
This word refers to a cistern or pit, often used to hold water or as a prison. In the Bible, it is used to describe a place of confinement, like a dungeon or well. It is a physical hole in the ground.
Definition: pit, well, cistern, dungeon, pit of the grave
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well. See also: Genesis 37:20; Proverbs 5:15; Psalms 7:16.
רֵ֔ק
rêyq
H7386
"worthless"
Adj
In the Bible, this word describes something that is empty or worthless, like an empty vessel or a person without value. It is used to emphasize the importance of being filled with purpose or meaning.
Definition: 1) empty, vain 1a) empty (of vessels) 1b) empty, idle, worthless (ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man). See also: Genesis 37:24; 2 Kings 4:3; Proverbs 12:11.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
בּ֖/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
מָֽיִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
Study Notes — Genesis 37:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Joseph Sold into Egypt
22“Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father.
23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing—
24and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.
25And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. 26Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 38:6 | So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. |
| 2 | Psalms 130:1–2 | Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy. |
| 3 | Zechariah 9:11 | As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. |
| 4 | Lamentations 4:20 | The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.” |
| 5 | Psalms 88:8 | You have removed my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them; I am confined and cannot escape. |
| 6 | Psalms 35:7 | For without cause they laid their net for me; without reason they dug a pit for my soul. |
| 7 | Lamentations 3:52–55 | Without cause my enemies hunted me like a bird. They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me. The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die. I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. |
| 8 | Psalms 88:6 | You have laid me in the lowest Pit, in the darkest of the depths. |
| 9 | Psalms 40:2 | He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. |
Genesis 37:24 Summary
[Joseph's brothers were so jealous of him that they threw him into a pit, which was like a deep hole in the ground, as stated in Genesis 37:24. This was a very scary and lonely experience for Joseph, but it was also a turning point in his life, as seen in Genesis 37:25-36. We can learn from Joseph's experience that even when things seem dark and uncertain, God is still in control, as stated in Romans 8:28. We can trust Him to work everything out for our good, just like He did for Joseph, as seen in Genesis 50:20.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joseph's brothers throw him into the pit?
Joseph's brothers threw him into the pit because they were jealous of the special treatment he received from their father, as seen in Genesis 37:3-4, and they wanted to get rid of him, but Reuben intervened to prevent them from killing him, as stated in Genesis 37:22.
What kind of pit was Joseph thrown into?
The pit that Joseph was thrown into was empty, with no water in it, as stated in Genesis 37:24, which suggests it was a dry cistern or well, possibly used for storage or as a prison.
Did Joseph's brothers plan to leave him in the pit forever?
It seems that Reuben planned to rescue Joseph from the pit and return him to their father, as stated in Genesis 37:22, but the other brothers did not have a clear plan, and their actions were driven by jealousy and a desire to get rid of Joseph.
What can we learn from Joseph's experience in the pit?
Joseph's experience in the pit teaches us about God's sovereignty and providence, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Genesis 50:20, and it also reminds us that God can use our struggles and challenges to prepare us for greater things, as stated in Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond when I feel like I've been 'thrown into a pit' by circumstances or people, and what can I learn from Joseph's experience?
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty and providence in my life, even when things seem dark and uncertain, like Joseph's time in the pit?
- How can I apply the lesson of Joseph's brothers' jealousy and actions to my own relationships and interactions with others, and what can I do to prevent similar conflicts?
- What are some ways that God has used difficult experiences in my life to prepare me for greater things, and how can I trust Him to continue working in my life?
Gill's Exposition on 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 37:24
And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 37:24
Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it.Ver. 24. They cast him into a pit.] Where they meant he should pine and perish with hunger, which is a more cruel death than to die by the sword. Thus died Drusus by the command of Tiberius; food being denied him, he had eaten the stuffings of his bed. I have heard of a certain bishop, saith Melancthon, who, having cast ten men into a dungeon for their religion’ s sake, kept them there so long without all manner of food, that they devoured one another. Druso adeo alimenta subducta, ut tomentum a culcitra tentaverit mandere. - Tacit. Joh. Manlii, loc. com., 124.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 37:24
24. the pit was empty] Cf. the incident in the life of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:6). Presumably this was the reason why Reuben proposes to “cast him into this pit” (Genesis 37:22).
Sermons on Genesis 37:24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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And the Lord Was With Joseph - Part 2 by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the theme of serving God in the face of rejection and adversity. He emphasizes that even when life is difficult, God is always good. Usi |
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When Deliverance Looks Like Old Rotten Rags by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences of witnessing God's miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit breaking down divisions in a community. The speaker encourages |
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Jesus Take the Stones From My Hands by Carter Conlon | This sermon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and letting go of grievances, symbolized by the act of Jesus taking the stones from our hands. It calls for a deep transformati |
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Psalm 130 by Carl Armerding | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the late hours of the night when he returns home after preaching. He talks about the weight of sin and how it accumulates like a national de |
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Exposition on Psalm 131 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of humility and faithfulness in the Body of Christ, emphasizing the need to pray in the peace of the Church and unity of Christ's Body to b |
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The Forgiving Nature of God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the forgiving nature of God, illustrating how even in deep despair, like that experienced by David, one can find hope and restoration through God's mercy |
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Holy Scripture, Brethren, Cries Out to Us, Saying by St. Benedict of Nursia | St. Benedict of Nursia preaches on the importance of humility as a means to exaltation in the eyes of God. He emphasizes the need to avoid pride and instead embrace a humble mindse |