Genesis 43:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.

NIV: I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.

NASB: I myself will take responsibility for him! You may demand him back from me. If I do not bring him back to you and present him to you, then you can let me take the blame forever.

CSB: I will be responsible for him. You can hold me personally accountable! If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, I will be guilty before you forever.

NLT: I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever.

KJV: I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

NKJV: I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.

Judah and his brothers are pushing Jacob to make a tough decision. One option is to risk losing his beloved youngest son Benjamin by sending him to Egypt with his brothers, as required by the Egyptian ruler who sells the grain (Genesis 42:3–6). The other is to allow the family to starve to death in the continuing famine (Genesis 43:1–2), including the "little ones" (Genesis 43:8).

Now Judah promises to take personal responsibility for Benjamin's safety. More than that, he offers himself as a pledge of safety. This language indicates a serious commitment; this is not a casual promise. Judah is literally offering his own life in exchange for Benjamin if he fails to bring the boy back to Jacob alive and well. It's unclear what the exact consequence would be, but he would accept the blame "forever."

Reuben had made a similar offer to Jacob earlier, suggesting that Jacob could kill his own two sons if he failed to return Benjamin (Genesis 42:37). Jacob rejected that, preferring to abandon Simeon (Genesis 42:19–20, 24) to keep Benjamin safe. He will reluctantly and fearfully accept this suggestion from Judah (Genesis 43:11–14).

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.