Genesis 37:21
◄  Genesis 37:21  ►
New International Version (©2011)
When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph's rescue. "Let's not kill him," he said.

English Standard Version (©2001)
But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, "Let us not take his life."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, "Let's not take his life."

International Standard Version (©2012)
When Reuben heard about it, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not do any killing,"

NET Bible (©2006)
When Reuben heard this, he rescued Joseph from their hands, saying, "Let's not take his life!"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
When Reuben heard this, he tried to save Joseph from their plot. "Let's not kill him," he said.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

American King James Version
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.

American Standard Version
And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ruben hearing this, endeavoured to deliver him out of their hands, end said:

Darby Bible Translation
And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life.

English Revised Version
And Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand; and said, Let us not take his life.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him from their hands: and said, Let us not kill him.

World English Bible
Reuben heard it, and delivered him out of their hand, and said, "Let's not take his life."

Young's Literal Translation
And Reuben heareth, and delivereth him out of their hand, and saith, 'Let us not smite the life;'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

37:12-22 How readily does Joseph wait his father's orders! Those children who are best beloved by their parents, should be the most ready to obey them. See how deliberate Joseph's brethren were against him. They thought to slay him from malice aforethought, and in cold blood. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, 1Jo 3:15. The sons of Jacob hated their brother because their father loved him. New occasions, as his dreams and the like, drew them on further; but this laid rankling in their hearts, till they resolved on his death. God has all hearts in his hands. Reuben had most reason to be jealous of Joseph, for he was the first-born; yet he proves his best friend. God overruled all to serve his own purpose, of making Joseph an instrument to save much people alive. Joseph was a type of Christ; for though he was the beloved Son of his Father, and hated by a wicked world, yet the Father sent him out of his bosom to visit us in great humility and love. He came from heaven to earth to seek and save us; yet then malicious plots were laid against him. His own not only received him not, but crucified him. This he submitted to, as a part of his design to redeem and save us.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 21, 22. - And Reuben (the eldest son, and therefore probably regarding himself as in some degree responsible for Joseph's safety) heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him - literally, Let us not destroy his life (nephesh). And Reuben said (further) unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness (i.e. into a dry pit that was near), and lay no hand upon him; that (the adverb indicates the purpose Reuben had in view) he might rid him (translated above deliver him) out of their hands, to deliver him (or, more correctly, to return him) to his father again.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Reuben heard it,.... Overheard what they said, not being in the consultation; perhaps knowing his temper and disposition to be more mild and gentle, and being the elder brother, might fear he would overrule matters against them, and therefore Simeon and Levi did not choose to have him in the debate; or he might be at some distance and entirely absent when the consultation was held, and their intention was reported to him by some of them:

and he delivered him out of their hands; from slaying him; that is, he endeavoured to do it by proposing another scheme:

and said, let us not kill him; or let us not smite the soul (t); the dear soul, or take away life.

(t) "ne percutiamus vel occidamus animam", Sam. Ar. Syr.

Genesis 37:21 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Joseph Sold by his Brothers
…20Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast has devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams. 21And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. 22And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand on him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again. …

Genesis 37:22 "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.
Genesis 42:22 Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood."