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Book of Genesis - Chapter 37 - Verse 20

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.

Meaning

The verse "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." comes from the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis in the Bible. In this verse, Joseph's brothers are discussing how to get rid of him due to their jealousy of his favored status with their father. They plan to kill him and deceive their father into believing that he was eaten by a wild animal. This verse highlights themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the consequences of acting on negative emotions. It sets the stage for Joseph's journey of being sold into slavery and eventually rising to power in Egypt, ultimately showing how God can work through difficult circumstances to fulfill His plans. The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's greater purpose, even in the face of adversity.

Theological Overview

Genesis 37:20 presents a dark moment in the story of Joseph, where his brothers conspire to harm him due to their jealousy over his dreams and the favor their father showed him. At first glance, this verse simply captures the brothers' evil intentions towards Joseph. However, delving deeper into the theological interpretation of this passage reveals underlying themes of betrayal, deceit, and the providence of God. The act of slaying Joseph and casting him into a pit mirrors the betrayal of Jesus by Judas and his subsequent crucifixion, highlighting the recurring theme of betrayal present throughout the Bible. Furthermore, the brothers' plan to deceive their father by claiming a wild animal devoured Joseph echoes the deceit used by Jacob to trick his father, Isaac, to obtain Esau's blessing. Despite the brothers' wicked intentions, God ultimately uses these events to fulfill His plan for Joseph's life. This verse serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to work even through the darkest of circumstances to bring about His purposes.

American Standard Version

Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
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