Genesis 43:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?"

NIV: Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"

NASB: Then Israel said, 'Why did you treat me so badly, by telling the man whether you still had another brother?'

CSB: "Why have you caused me so much trouble?" Israel asked. "Why did you tell the man that you had another brother?"

NLT: Why were you so cruel to me?' Jacob moaned. 'Why did you tell him you had another brother?'

KJV: And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

NKJV: And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”

Israel is the name God gave to Jacob (Genesis 35:10). When famine struck, Jacob instructed ten of his sons to buy food in Egypt (Genesis 42:1–2). That resulted in one being held in captivity (Genesis 42:24) while the rest were commanded to return only with their youngest brother, Benjamin, as proof they were not lying (Genesis 42:19–20). Jacob initially refused this, electing to abandon Simeon rather than risk his favorite son (Genesis 42:38). But the famine has continued, and Jacob has once again told his sons to go buy food (Genesis 43:1–2).

Taking a strong stand against his father, Judah has refused to go without taking Benjamin. So far as they've been told, trying to enter Egypt without the youngest brother would only end in prison or death (Genesis 43:3–5).

Incredibly, Jacob remains unresolved. He once again blames his older sons for his plight instead of acting decisively (Genesis 43:10). His complaint is that they should never have told the Egyptian governor about Benjamin, who was not sent on the first mission. He depicts their conversation with the governor as an act of malice or mistreatment. Even in old age, Jacob continues to demonstrate a spirit of fear and self-pity (Genesis 31:31; 32:7; 34:30), something he takes out on his sons.

Still, God will remain faithful to Jacob, as He has always done. Jacob does not yet know that the Egyptian governor is his long-lost son, Joseph (Genesis 42:8), and all of this is a prelude to a happy reunion (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.