Genesis 37:21

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Maar Ruben het dit gehoor en hy wou vir Josef red. Hy sê toe: “Nee, ons moenie hom doodmaak nie.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Reuben, one of Jacob's sons, hears his brothers talking about harming Joseph. He steps in to protect Joseph and convinces his brothers not to kill him. The key message is about compassion and intervention to prevent harm.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're in a playground and you see your friends being mean to someone. Reuben is like that friend who steps in to say, 'Hey, let's not be mean. We can be nice instead.' He protects his brother just like you would protect a friend from being bullied.

Historical Background

Genesis was likely written by Moses around 1440-1400 BC. This section tells the story of Joseph and his brothers, set in the context of the patriarchal period of the Israelites. The audience would have been the Israelites in the wilderness, learning about their heritage.

Living It Out Today

Today, you might see a coworker being unfairly targeted by others in the office. Instead of joining in or staying silent, you could step in and advocate for fairness, much like Reuben did for Joseph.

Topics

• compassion
• intervention
• family dynamics
• justice
• protection
• conflict resolution

Related Verses

• Exodus 2:11-15
• 1 Samuel 24:6-7
• 2 Samuel 14:5-7
• Matthew 5:44
• Romans 12:20

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Reuben want to protect Joseph?

Reuben wanted to protect Joseph from his brothers' anger because he recognized the wrongness of their plan and perhaps felt a protective duty as an older brother.

How does this verse show Reuben's character?

This verse shows Reuben as a compassionate and just person who stands up for what is right, even when it's difficult, demonstrating his moral integrity.

What can we learn from Reuben's actions in Genesis 37:21?

We learn that standing up for justice and intervening to protect others can be acts of great courage and righteousness, reflecting Reuben's leadership and moral compass.

Is there a similar story in the Bible where someone protects another from harm?

Yes, Moses protected an Israelite from an Egyptian (Exodus 2:11-15), showing a similar act of courage and justice as Reuben did for Joseph.