Genesis 37:20 – Meaning, Explanation, and Related Bible Verses

Verse: Genesis 37:20
Theme: Murderous Conspiracy, Evil Deception, and the Corruption of Brotherly Bond

“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”

— Genesis 37:20, New International Version (NIV)

“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.”

— Genesis 37:20, King James Version (KJV)

“Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.”

— Genesis 37:20, New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Meaning of Genesis 37:20

This verse represents one of the darkest moments in the Genesis narrative, revealing how jealousy and hatred can corrupt human hearts to the point of premeditated murder. The brothers’ conspiracy against Joseph demonstrates the devastating power of unchecked envy and the lengths to which sin will drive people when left unchallenged.

The calculated nature of their plan shows this was not a moment of passion but a deliberate choice to eliminate their brother and deceive their father. Their mention of telling Jacob that “a ferocious animal devoured him” reveals their willingness to add lies and ongoing deception to their murderous intentions.

The phrase “Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams” expresses their belief that they could thwart divine purposes through violence. This represents humanity’s age-old attempt to resist God’s will through direct opposition to His chosen instruments and revealed plans.

The brothers’ conspiracy also reveals how collective sin can amplify individual wickedness, as they encouraged one another in evil rather than restraining destructive impulses. Their unity in wickedness contrasts sharply with the unity God desires among His people.

The mention of cisterns points to their familiarity with the wilderness terrain and their practical planning for concealing their crime. These dry pits would serve as both murder weapon and burial ground, showing the coldly calculated nature of their intentions.

Popular Words of Wisdom from Genesis 37:20

“Murder begins in the heart with hatred, and hatred unchecked will always seek the destruction of its object.”

— John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

“The devil never tempts us to murder at once; he leads us step by step through smaller sins until the heart is prepared for the greatest evil.”

— Thomas à Kempis, Medieval Christian Mystic

“Jealousy is the grave of affection, and envy the murderer of brotherly love.”

— Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Church Father

“When men unite in wickedness, they become more wicked than they would dare to be alone.”

— Charles Spurgeon, Prince of Preachers

“The heart that harbors hatred against a brother has already committed murder in God’s sight.”

— Origen, Early Church Father

“Sin promises freedom but delivers bondage, promises life but delivers death, promises truth but delivers deception.”

— John Owen, Puritan Theologian

Explaining the Context of Genesis 37:20

This verse occurs at the climactic moment of the brothers’ conspiracy against Joseph. They had been pasturing their flocks near Dothan when Jacob sent Joseph to check on them, providing the perfect opportunity for their long-contemplated revenge.

The brothers saw Joseph approaching from a distance, recognizing him by his distinctive robe that symbolized their father’s favoritism. This visual reminder of their perceived injustice inflamed their existing resentment into murderous rage.

Reuben, as the eldest, would later attempt to modify this plan to save Joseph’s life, but at this moment the majority of the brothers were united in their desire to permanently eliminate their troublesome sibling.

The geographical setting was ideal for their purposes, as the wilderness area contained numerous cisterns used for storing water during rainy seasons but often empty during dry periods. These natural pits would provide convenient disposal sites for evidence.

Their plan reveals sophisticated criminal thinking, including not only the murder itself but also the cover story they would tell their father. They understood that Jacob’s grief would prevent too much investigation if they presented convincing evidence of an animal attack.

Explaining the Key Parts of Genesis 37:20

“Come now, let’s kill him”

The casual tone of this murderous invitation reveals how completely jealousy had corrupted their hearts. The phrase suggests this was not the first time such discussions had occurred among them.

The use of “come now” indicates urgency and opportunity, as they recognized this might be their best chance to act on their long-held resentment without witnesses or immediate discovery.

“and throw him into one of these cisterns”

The brothers’ familiarity with local terrain shows their practical planning for concealing their crime. These dry pits would serve multiple purposes: execution method, burial site, and evidence disposal.

The casual mention of “one of these” indicates multiple options were available, showing they had surveyed the area and considered various approaches to their crime.

“and say that a ferocious animal devoured him”

This fabricated cover story reveals their understanding of their father’s psychology and the believable dangers of wilderness life. They calculated that Jacob’s grief would prevent thorough investigation.

The deception also shows their willingness to compound murder with ongoing lies, demonstrating how one sin leads naturally to others when conscience is seared.

“Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams”

This phrase reveals their belief that they could thwart divine purposes through violence against God’s chosen instrument. It expresses defiant challenge to what they perceived as divine favor toward Joseph.

Their mocking tone about his dreams shows complete spiritual blindness to the possibility that God might actually be speaking through Joseph’s revelations.

Lessons to Learn from Genesis 37:20

1. Jealousy Left Unchecked Will Always Escalate to Violence

The brothers’ progression from resentment through hatred to murder shows the inevitable trajectory of unresolved envy and the critical importance of addressing these emotions before they destroy relationships.

2. Collective Sin Amplifies Individual Wickedness

When people unite in wrongdoing, they encourage one another to greater evil than any would attempt alone, highlighting the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who will restrain rather than enable our worst impulses.

3. Human Opposition Cannot Thwart Divine Purposes

The brothers believed they could prevent God’s revealed will through violence, but divine purposes will ultimately be accomplished regardless of human resistance or opposition.

4. Sin Always Requires Deception to Maintain Itself

The brothers’ murder plot necessarily included elaborate lies and ongoing deception, showing how one sin creates the need for others and how evil multiplies when not confessed and forsaken.

5. Murderous Intent Reveals Complete Spiritual Blindness

Their casual discussion of fratricide shows how far from God their hearts had wandered and their complete inability to recognize His hand in Joseph’s life and dreams.

Related Bible Verses

“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”

— 1 John 3:15, New International Version (NIV)

“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

— Matthew 5:22, New International Version (NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

— Proverbs 4:23, New International Version (NIV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”

— Jeremiah 17:9, New International Version (NIV)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

— Proverbs 19:21, New International Version (NIV)

How This Verse Points to Christ

Genesis 37:20 points to Christ through the parallel of innocent suffering at the hands of jealous brothers. Just as Joseph faced murderous conspiracy from his own family, Christ was rejected and killed by His own people who envied His authority and divine claims.

The brothers’ plot to kill Joseph and mock his dreams foreshadows how religious leaders conspired against Christ, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One,” while He hung on the cross.

Joseph’s innocent suffering despite his divine calling prefigures Christ’s sinless sacrifice despite His perfect obedience to the Father. Both faced violence from those who should have recognized and honored God’s anointing upon them.

The brothers’ belief that they could thwart God’s purposes through murder parallels humanity’s attempt to defeat divine plans through crucifying Christ, not realizing they were actually fulfilling God’s redemptive purposes.

Where the brothers sought to see “what comes of his dreams,” God used their very opposition to fulfill Joseph’s prophetic visions, just as Christ’s enemies unknowingly participated in accomplishing salvation through His death and resurrection.

The pit they planned for Joseph’s destruction points to the tomb intended for Christ’s burial, both of which would become instruments of divine vindication rather than permanent defeat.

Closing Reflection

Genesis 37:20 confronts us with the horrifying depths to which human hearts can sink when jealousy and hatred are allowed to fester unchecked. The brothers’ casual discussion of fratricide reveals the complete moral corruption that can result from nursing grievances and resentments.

This verse serves as a sobering warning about the progressive nature of sin and the importance of dealing with negative emotions before they escalate beyond control. What began as hurt feelings over favoritism had metastasized into murderous conspiracy.

The brothers’ belief that they could thwart divine purposes through violence demonstrates humanity’s persistent tendency to oppose God’s revealed will when it conflicts with our own desires or understanding of fairness and justice.

Their elaborate deception plan shows how sin always requires ongoing lies to maintain itself and how one evil act creates the necessity for numerous others. Murder would require deception, which would require continued lying, creating an ever-expanding web of wickedness.

The collective nature of their conspiracy illustrates both the power of peer pressure in amplifying evil and the tragic loss of restraining influences that should exist within families and communities to prevent such devastating choices.

Yet even in this darkest moment, God’s sovereign purposes were being accomplished through human wickedness, reminding us that divine plans cannot be frustrated by human opposition but often work through the very resistance intended to defeat them.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts for seeds of jealousy, resentment, and hatred that could potentially grow into devastating actions if not addressed through confession, forgiveness, and genuine spiritual transformation.

Say This Prayer

Heavenly Father,

The wickedness revealed in Genesis 37:20 horrifies us and convicts us of the potential for evil that exists in every human heart. We confess that apart from Your grace, we are all capable of the most devastating sins.

Search our hearts and reveal any seeds of jealousy, resentment, or hatred that we have allowed to take root. Give us the courage to confess these sins and the power to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us.

Protect us from the influence of others who might encourage us toward evil, and make us people who restrain rather than enable the sinful impulses of those around us. Help us to be voices of conscience and wisdom rather than participants in conspiracy.

When we face opposition or rejection, help us to trust in Your sovereignty rather than seeking revenge or trying to force outcomes through our own efforts. Remind us that Your purposes cannot be thwarted by human resistance.

Guard our hearts from the spiritual blindness that prevented Joseph’s brothers from recognizing Your hand in his life. Help us to discern and honor Your work in others even when it challenges our own expectations or desires.

Transform our hearts so completely that thoughts of violence or revenge cannot find fertile ground in our souls. Make us people of peace, reconciliation, and genuine love for our brothers and sisters.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.