Genesis 43:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man.

NIV: Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.

NASB: Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man;

CSB: Take your brother also, and go back at once to the man.

NLT: Then take your brother, and go back to the man.

KJV: Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

NKJV: Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.

Jacob has been giving instructions to his sons about their return to Egypt to buy more grain for the family (Genesis 43:1–2). The second trip is necessary because of the continued famine. On the first trip, Jacob's ten oldest sons were strangely accused of being spies and forced to leave one of their number behind, until they could return with the youngest brother to prove their innocence (Genesis 42:14, 19–20). Worse, on the way home with grain, they discovered that they still had the money they meant to use to pay for the food (Genesis 42:25–28).

Despite the dire situation, Jacob greatly delayed in allowing his sons to include Benjamin in a return trip (Genesis 43:10). Faced with starvation, he finally relents, with a plan to send gifts and restitution to the Egyptian leader (Genesis 43:11–12). Only now, with great reluctance, he finally says out loud what he had initially refused. He tells them to take Benjamin with them, after all.

Only later will Jacob learn that this Egyptian vizier is his own long-lost son, Joseph (Genesis 42:8), whose intentions are good (Genesis 47:11–12).

Genesis 43:1–15 describes how Jacob is forced to send his beloved son, Benjamin, to accompany his other sons to Egypt to buy more grain. If Benjamin doesn't go, they will not be allowed to purchase anything. This is by the order of the Egyptian governor, who the men do not realize is their long-lost brother, Joseph. Without grain, the family will starve. Jacob agrees, sending with his sons a gift for the man, along with double the amount of money needed to buy the grain. Finally, Jacob prays to God Almighty for his boys before allowing them to depart with his precious youngest son.

Jacob must send Benjamin with his brothers, back to Egypt, to buy more grain for the family. Without it, they will starve, but the Egyptian ruler will not sell them grain if they don't bring Benjamin as agreed. Speaking on behalf of his brothers, Judah finally convinces his father. Arriving in Egypt, they are honored as guests in Joseph's house. They present a gift to him—still not recognizing him as their estranged brother—and Joseph, after being overwhelmed with emotion, pays special attention to Benjamin.

In Genesis chapter 37, Jacob sends his favorite son, Joseph, to visit his brothers. Joseph does not come home. In chapter 42, Jacob sends ten of his sons on a mission, and once again the group returns short one son. The Egyptian governor keeps Simeon as collateral and commands the family to return with Benjamin. Only when forced with starvation does Jacob risk his youngest son. Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers as the governor of Egypt, honors the men as guests in his home, paying special attention to Benjamin. After further tests in chapter 44, Joseph will finally reveal himself in chapter 45.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.