Genesis 37:20 net — Come now, let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see h…

NET Bible

"Come now, let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see how his dreams turn out!”"

— Genesis 37:20, NET Bible

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Genesis 37:20 in Other Translations

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Genesis 37 — Context

17

The man said,“They left this area, for I heard them say,‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

18

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

19

They said to one another,“Here comes this master of dreams!

20

Come now, let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see how his dreams turn out!”

21

When Reuben heard this, he rescued Joseph from their hands, saying,“Let’s not take his life!”

22

Reuben continued,“Don’t shed blood! Throw him into this cistern that is here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.”(Reuben said this so he could rescue Joseph from them and take him back to his father.)

23

When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the special tunic that he wore.

Genesis 37:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 37:20 say?
Genesis 37:20 in the NET Bible reads: “Come now, let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see how his dreams turn out!””
Where is Genesis 37:20 in the Bible?
Genesis 37:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 37, verse 20.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 37:20.
What translation should I read Genesis 37:20 in?
Genesis 37:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 37:20?
Genesis 37:20 reads (NET): “Come now, let’s kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild animal ate him. Then we’ll see how his dreams turn out!”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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