Genesis 37:21

Reuben heard it. Though Reuben had been far from perfect himself (see ch. 35:22), his heart was not so hard as theirs. As the eldest son, he felt a special responsibility for his younger brother, and determined, if possible, to save him from them. The would-be murderers were content, for the moment, to follow Reuben’s suggestion. Weak and vacillating though he was (ch. 49:4), Reuben appears to have been the only one of Joseph’s brothers in whom the natural affection of a brother was not completely lost. Though he lacked the courage to resist openly their stronger wills, he at least made a timid attempt to save Joseph’s life. Reuben’s plan was commendable as far as it went, but it failed because of his lack of determination and vigilance.