The Rescue of Joseph by Throwing Him into a Pit Full of Snakes

How did Reuben intend to save Joseph by throwing him into a pit that was full of snakes and scorpions, which essentially meant actively killing him? (This refers to verse Genesis 37:24, which states that in order to save Joseph’s life Reuben convinced his brothers to throw him into a pit instead of killing him. The Rashi commentary on the verse writes (based on Talmudic sources) that the pit was full of snakes and scorpions. Therefore, Joseph survival of this ordeal was miraculous.)

The Chafetz Chaim (Shmirat Halashon, Part 2, Chapter 11) wrote that they did not know that there were snakes and scorpions in the pit. Had they known, it indeed would have been considered outright murder, as explained in the Talmud (Tractate Yevamot 121), that if a person falls into a pit full of snakes and scorpions, one can testify that he died.

Shmirat Halashon (Part 2, Chapter 11).