Genesis 43:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

NIV: But Judah said to him, 'The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'

NASB: Judah spoke to him, however, saying, 'The man sternly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

CSB: But Judah said to him, "The man specifically warned us, 'You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.'

NLT: But Judah said, 'The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

KJV: And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

NKJV: But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Jacob has instructed his older sons to return to Egypt to "buy us a little food" (Genesis 43:1–2) He has not mentioned Benjamin or the fact that he, Jacob, was the one who had previously forbidden them to return to Egypt with their youngest brother (Genesis 42:38). So far as Jacob's family knows, the Egyptian ruler insisted on seeing Benjamin as a way of proving the ten brothers were not lying about their family situation. He was testing them to ensure they were not foreign spies (Genesis 42:12). What Jacob and his sons do not know, of course, is that the Egyptian ruler is their brother Joseph (Genesis 42:8), long ago sold into slavery (Genesis 37:24–28), and that he simply longs to see his younger brother Benjamin.

Judah is forced to raise a difficult issue by repeating the demand of the Egyptian ruler in charge of selling grain: They can't even see the man if they don't take their youngest brother with them (Genesis 42:19–20). Simeon is still being held in Egypt as collateral, awaiting their return (Genesis 42:24). Jacob seemed willing to abandon Simeon rather than risk Benjamin, but now the entire family is again at risk of starving.

It's notable that Judah speaks this time. It's likely there are hard feelings between Jacob and Reuben, the oldest, who often presumes to speak on behalf of his brothers (Genesis 42:22; 37–38).

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.