saw that neither words nor entreaties would change their
intention, he begged them, saying: "My brethren, at least
hearken unto me in respect of this, that ye be not so wicked
and cruel as to slay him. Lay no hand upon your brother,
shed no blood, cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness,
and let him perish thus.[36]

Then Reuben went away from his brethren, and he hid
in the mountains, so that he might be able to hasten back
in a favorable moment and draw Joseph forth from the pit
and restore him to his father. He hoped his reward would
be pardon for the transgression he had committed against
Jacob.[37] His good intention was frustrated, yet Reuben was
rewarded by God, for God gives a recompense not only for
good deeds, but for good intentions as well.[38] As he was
the first of the brethren of Joseph to make an attempt to
save him, so the city of Bezer in the tribe of Reuben was
the first of the cities of refuge appointed to safeguard the
life of the innocent that seek help.[39] Furthermore God
spake to Reuben, saying: "As thou wast the first to endeavor
to restore a child unto his father, so Hosea, one of
thy descendants, shall be the first to endeavor to lead Israel
back to his heavenly Father."[40]

The brethren accepted Reuben's proposition, and Simon
seized Joseph, and cast him into a pit swarming with snakes
and scorpions, beside which was another unused pit, filled
with offal.[41] As though this were not enough torture, Simon
bade his brethren fling great stones at Joseph. In his later
dealings with this brother Simon, Joseph showed all the