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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Genesis 37:21

Reuben Reuben's name is probably here substituted by the Compiler (R) for that of Judah. Reuben speaks in Genesis 37:22; and it is unlikely that two consecutive clauses would begin with Reuben speaking. Probably this verse comes from J, and is carried on in Genesis 37:26, with Judah's attempt to rescue Joseph.

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See also Genesis 37:21 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Genesis 37:21. _REUBEN HEARD IT_] Though Reuben appears to have been a transgressor of no ordinary magnitude, if we take Genesis 35:22 according to the letter, yet his bosom was not the habitat...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - Joseph Was Sold into Egypt 17. דתין _dotayı̂n_ Dothain, “two wells?” (Gesenius) 25. נכאת _n__e__ko't_ “tragacanth” or goat’s-thorn gum, yielded by the “astragalus gummifer”, a native of Mount Leban...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    XII. THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB CHAPTER 37 The Story of Joseph _ 1. Jacob dwelling in Canaan (Genesis 37:1)_ 2. Joseph's character and feeding the flock (Genesis 37:2) 3. Beloved of his father (Gene...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    To J we may assign Genesis 37:18_ b_ (and before, etc.), Genesis 37:21 (substituting Judah for Reuben), Genesis 37:23; Genesis 37:25;...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    REUBEN HEARD—AND HE DELIVERED, &C.— It should seem by this, as if they had seized upon Joseph as he approached nearer to them, and were about to dispatch him; when Reuben interposed, and saved his lif...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART FORTY-SIX THE STORY OF JOSEPH (Genesis 37:1-36; Genesis 39:1 to Genesis 47:31) 1. _The Biblical Story: Joseph as a Youth in Canaan_ ...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM AFAR OFF, EVEN BEFORE HE CAME NEAR UNTO THEM, THEY CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM TO SLAY HIM._ When they saw him afar off. On the level grass-field, where they were watching their catt...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    JOSEPH IS HATED BY HIS BRETHREN AND SOLD INTO EGYPT With the exception of a few passages chiefly in Genesis 46, 49, the rest of the book of Genesis is taken from the Primitive source. The chief event...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Reuben was the oldest brother. He considered that he was responsible for his brothers. Especially he was responsible for Joseph because Joseph was only 17 years of age....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 37 JOSEPH’S DREAMS V1 Jacob lived in the country that is called *Canaan. That is the country where his father had stayed. V2 This is the story of...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וַ יִּשְׁמַ֣ע רְאוּבֵ֔ן וַ יַּצִּלֵ֖הוּ מִ יּ

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    JOSEPH'S DREAMS Genesis 37:1 "Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee."- Psalms 76:10 THE migration of Israel from Canaan to Egypt was a step of prime importance in the history. Great difficultie...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    JOSEPH'S BROTHERS PLOT HIS DEATH Genesis 37:12 Throughout Joseph was a very remarkable type of our Lord. There was, first, this mission of the beloved son to inquire after the well-being of his breth...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    From this point in the sacred narrative, though Jacob appears more than once, for a time the history centers around Joseph, and it is certainly safe to say that in many aspects no more remarkable figu...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REVENGE Joseph's brothers took their father's sheep to the area around Shechem. Remember, this area would have been fraught with potential danger because of the slaughter worked by...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Luke 20:14 See Genesis 42:22.-Observe how the LORD interposes by his instruments in the hour of need!...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with the remark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of the Son, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    21._And Reuben heard it_. It may be well to observe, while others were hastening to shed his blood, by whose care Joseph was preserved. Reuben doubtless, in one affair, was the most wicked of them all...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 37 THROUGH 41. What follows from chapter 37 is the interesting history of Joseph, to which even children ever yield a ready ear, although ignorant of all the...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole 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 wo...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And Reuben heard [it], and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him. Ver. 21. _And he delivered him out of their hands._] Josephus relates his arguments, whereby he prevaile...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Reuben heard it_ God can raise up friends for his people, even among their enemies. Reuben, of all the brothers, had most reason to be jealous of Joseph; for he was the firstborn, and so entitled to...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    2 Ioseph is hated of his brethren. 5 His two dreames. 13 Iacob sendeth him to visite his brethren. 18 His brethren conspire his death. 21 Reuben saueth him. 26 They sell him to the Ishmeelites....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, Let us not kill him....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Joseph Sent to Shechem...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    THIRD PERIOD The Genesis of the People of israel in egypt from the twelve branches of israel, or the history of joseph and his brethren. joseph the patriarch of the faith-dispensation through humilia...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN How significant is the truth of verse 1, "Jacob lived in the land where his father sojourned, in the land of Canaan." It had taken him some years to finally settle there, but...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    He DELIVERED HIM, as to the violent and certain despatch of his life which was intended. Or the act is here put for the purpose and endeavour of doing it, in which sense Balak is said to _fight agains...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    On which we shall dwell more particularly. There is not in scripture a more perfect and beautiful type of Christ than Joseph. Whether we view Christ as the object of the Father's love, the object of t...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 37:21 Reuben H7205 heard H8085 (H8799) delivered H5337 (H8686) hands H3027 said H559 (H8799) kill...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And Reuben heard it and he delivered him out of their hand. And he said, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood. Throw him into this cistern which is in the wilderness bu...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Genesis 37 Joseph's is one of the most interesting histories in the world. He has the strange power of uniting our hearts to him, as to a well-beloved friend. He had "the genius to be loved greatly,...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Generations of Joseph. Joseph hated and rejected by his brothers. Cast into pit. Carried away by Gentiles. CHARACTERS: Jacob, Joseph, Reuben, Judah, Potiphar. CONCLUSION: Envy is a canker...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 37:2. _These are the generations,_ or events which happened to Jacob's _family. Sons of Bilhah._ Jacob seems to have divided Leah's sons from the sons of the bond-women, who proved very wicked...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:21 As the oldest, REUBEN convinces his brothers not to kill Joseph. Reuben plans to rescue Joseph later and RESTORE HIM TO HIS FATHER....

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 37:2 Jacob’s Descendants. The last main section of Genesis 1:1 further develops the theme of a royal line descended from Abraham. As governor of Egypt

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 37:18. Conspired.] Heb. “Cunningly plotted.”— GENESIS 37:19. THIS DREAMER.] Heb. “Lord, or master of dreams;” using the title in bitter scorn.— Genesis 37:23. They stript Jo...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 37:12 AND HIS BRETHREN WENT TO FEED THEIR FATHER'S FLOCK IN SHECHEM—_i.e._ the modern Nablous, in the plain of Muknah, which belonged to Jacob partly by purchase and partly by conq...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Genesis chapter thirty-seven. And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. And these are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feedi...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Reuben heard. Genesis 35:22 Genesis 42:22 not kill him. Heb. {nephesh.} Joshua 10:28 Genesis 9:5...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    And Reuben heard it — God can raise up friends for his people, even among their enemies. Reuben of all the brothers had most reason to be jealous of Joseph, for he was the first — born, and so entitle...

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