Genesis 44:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’

NIV: But you told your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’

NASB: You said to your servants, however, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’

CSB: Then you said to your servants, ‘If your younger brother does not come down with you, you will not see me again.’

NLT: But you told us, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.’

KJV: And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

NKJV: But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.’

Judah is making a plea to the Egyptian ruler on behalf of his father Jacob and his youngest brother Benjamin (Genesis 44:14–22). Unknown to Judah, this governor is his estranged brother, Joseph (Genesis 42:7–8), who had been sold into slavery by the ten older sons of Jacob (Genesis 37:24–28; 42:21–23). Judah reminds Joseph that he had demanded that the brothers bring Benjamin to him so that he could look at him. The brothers were hesitant at first. They feared that losing Benjamin would kill their elderly father (Genesis 42:38).

Joseph, the Egyptian ruler, had insisted on Benjamin coming back (Genesis 42:19–20). The brothers would not be allowed to see him if they did not bring their youngest brother with them. If they could not see the Egyptian ruler, they would not be able to buy grain. If they could not buy grain, their family would starve. By repeating these details, Judah seeks to emphasize the high stakes involved for Jacob's family.

Genesis 44:14–34 explains how Joseph's brothers reacted to another test of character. The youngest, Benjamin, was discovered to have Joseph's own silver cup in his bags. This was secretly put there on Joseph's orders—and the brothers still do not know his identity. Joseph's intent seems to be a test of his brothers' growth: are they still as cruel and selfish as when they sold Joseph, himself, into Egyptian slavery? Benjamin's sentence is to become Joseph's slave while the rest are free to go. Instead, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place in order save his youngest brother and their old father, who will surely die of grief if Benjamin is lost.

Eleven of Jacob's sons enjoyed a meal as honored guests of an Egyptian governor. They are sent off the next morning with full sacks of grain. All seems well until the governor's house steward overtakes them on the road and accuses them of stealing the ruler's personal and valuable silver cup. The brothers don't know this governor is Joseph, their long-lost brother. Nor do they know he ordered the steward to place the cup in Benjamin's sack. This is part of Joseph's final test of his brothers and their moral growth. Seeking to rescue Benjamin from slavery, Judah makes a powerful speech to Joseph, offering to take Benjamin's place as a slave to save the boy and avoid grieving their father, Jacob.

Joseph maintained his hidden identity when his estranged brothers first arrived in Egypt (Genesis 42). When they returned a second time, he continued to test them and treated them to a fine meal (Genesis 43). Genesis 44 describes Joseph's final scheme to test the character of his brothers. Will they once again abandon a sibling into slavery? After a successful scheme by Joseph, Benjamin seems doomed to become a slave in Egypt. Judah boldly begs Joseph to keep him, instead. He offers himself in Benjamin's place. This finally overwhelms Joseph, who will break down and reveal himself in the next chapter.

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.

Accessed 11/24/2024 8:07:51 AM