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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
In their cruel plot, Joseph's brothers don't just want him dead; they want to "see what will become of his dreams." This isn't just a casual remark; it reveals their deep-seated envy and a desperate desire to nullify God's promise unfolding in Joseph's life. They believe that by eliminating him, they can eliminate his destiny and their own perceived threat.
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joseph's brothers, consumed by envy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching them in the distance. Driven by their hatred, they conspire to kill him, plotting to dispose of his body in a dry cistern and claim a wild animal devoured him, thus silencing his dreams of superiority. Their immediate plan, however, is interrupted by Reuben's intervention, who persuades them to simply throw Joseph into the pit instead of killing him.
Why did Joseph's brothers want to kill him? It wasn't just about dreams; it was about a deeper rot.
The brothers' hatred for Joseph wasn't born in a vacuum. It festered from Jacob's favoritism and Joseph's own recounting of his dreams.
How could they sit down to eat after plotting such a horrific act? Their plan was as much about hiding their sin as committing it.
The brothers' scheme wasn't just about getting rid of Joseph; it was deeply rooted in hypocrisy. They sought to deceive not only others but also themselves.
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Understand the original words
bowr · Hebrew Noun
A hollow place or underground cistern used for storing water or, metaphorically, a grave or place of imprisonment. It signifies danger, abandonment, and hopelessness in biblical narratives.
chayyah ra'ah · Hebrew Noun phrase
Wild or savage beasts that roam outside of human civilization. They are often used symbolically to represent chaotic, destructive forces or judgment from God.
chalowm · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the divine messages or visions given by God to reveal His will or future purposes. They are often symbolic and require interpretation by those gifted by the Holy Spirit.
The brothers' plot to kill Joseph stems directly from their deep-seated envy, exacerbated by his dreams and his father's favoritism. Their immediate reaction is to devise a way to eliminate him and, in their malice, to mock the divine pronouncements he had shared.
c. 1898 BC
Jacob's Family in Canaan
Jacob and his twelve sons reside in Canaan, a land promised to Abraham's descendants, though they are still nomadic shepherds.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph's Dreams Revealed
Joseph, Jacob's favored son, dreams of his family bowing down to him, fueling his brothers' envy and hatred.
c. 1881 BC— this verse
Brothers' Conspiracy
While tending flocks near Shechem, Joseph's brothers see him approaching and conspire to kill him, plotting to use his dreams to mock him.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph Sold to Ishmaelites
Reuben's intervention leads to Joseph being thrown into a pit, but Judah persuades the brothers to sell him to passing Ishmaelite traders.
c. 1881 BC
Joseph Taken to Egypt
The Ishmaelites transport Joseph to Egypt, where he is eventually sold to Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh.
c. 1875 BC
Joseph in Potiphar's Household
Joseph serves faithfully in Potiphar's household, experiencing God's favor despite his circumstances.
This passage directly recounts the selling of Joseph into slavery, mirroring the underlying motive and outcome of his brothers' plot in Genesis 37, highlighting the betrayal and loss that stemmed from their envy.
Matthew 27:3-5This passage shows the deep remorse of Judas after betraying Jesus, directly contrasting with the hardened hearts of Joseph's brothers who, despite their cunning deception, show no immediate regret for their actions and try to justify them.
Romans 8:28This verse speaks to God's sovereign plan to bring good out of evil, which is precisely what unfolded through Joseph's suffering; his brothers' wicked intentions ultimately led to his rise and the salvation of their family.
Proverbs 10:12This proverb states that 'hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses,' encapsulating the destructive force of the brothers' hatred towards Joseph and contrasting it with the love that should have bound them as family.
gillGenesis 37:20: "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."
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" (s), 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…
calvinGenesis 37:1-36: "And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan."
These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.
Istae sunt generationes Iahacob. Joseph filius septendecim annorum pascebat cum fratribus suis pecudes, et erat puer cum filiis Bil…
In their cruel plot, Joseph's brothers don't just want him dead; they want to "see what will become of his dreams." This isn't just a casual remark; it reveals their deep-seated envy and a desperate desire to nullify God's promise unfolding in Joseph's life. They believe that by eliminating him, they can eliminate his destiny and their own perceived threat.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by envy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching them in the distance. Driven by their hatred, they conspire to kill him, plotting to dispose of his body in a dry cistern and claim a wild animal devoured him, thus silencing his dreams of superiority. Their immediate plan, however, is interrupted by Reuben's intervention, who persuades them to simply throw Joseph into the pit instead of killing him.
Joseph's brothers, consumed by envy over their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams, spot him approaching them in the distance. Driven by their hatred, they conspire to kill him, plotting to dispose of his body in a dry cistern and claim a wild animal devoured him, thus silencing his dreams of superiority. Their immediate plan, however, is interrupted by Reuben's intervention, who persuades them to simply throw Joseph into the pit instead of killing him.
"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.”" — In their cruel plot, Joseph's brothers don't just want him dead; they want to "see what will become of his dreams." This isn't just a casual remark; it reveals their deep-seated envy and a desperate…
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Last reviewed October 2026