Genesis 37:24

They took him and cast him into. pit.

The pit was doubtless an empty well or cistern, dug in that imperfectly watered country for the purpose of catching water. The design of the brethren, except Reuben, seems to have been to leave Joseph there to perish. Any one who will read Chapter s 34, 35, 37 and 38 will see that the ten older brethren of Joseph were "hard boys." Passing by this treatment of their brother, Reuben was guilty of incest, Judah's conduct in the case of his daughter-in-law was abominable, and Simeon and Levi were guilty of pitiless cruelty and savage ferocity. But the worst elements of their depraved character show themselves in the treatment of their brother.