Genesis 44:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

NIV: How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father.'

NASB: For how shall I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear that I may see the evil that would overtake my father.'

CSB: For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the grief that would overwhelm my father."

NLT: For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!'

KJV: For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

NKJV: For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”

Twenty years after being sold as a slave by his jealous older brothers (Genesis 37:24–28), Joseph is the governor of all Egypt (Genesis 41:44). Through a combination of God's intervention and his own schemes (Genesis 44:1–6), Joseph has had the opportunity to test his estranged brothers. They do not recognize him (Genesis 42:7–8), and he has put them in a difficult position. Will they once again abandon a younger brother, out of selfishness (Genesis 44:17)? Or have they become better men than they once were?

At the end of his dramatic plea (Genesis 44:18–33), Judah made a selfless proposal. He has begged to be kept as a slave, so the boy and his other brothers can go home. It's crucial to remember that Judah still does not know this powerful Egyptian ruler is his own brother, Joseph. He only knows he is pledged to keep young Benjamin safe. He also knows he could not face his father if he returned without the boy. Not only would he feel ashamed, but he also knows what harm it would do to Jacob. Instead, Judah wishes to save both by taking Benjamin's punishment on himself.

Judah suggests the swap knowing that Benjamin is not even guilty of the crime of which he is being accused. It doesn't matter. He must protect his brother. What an enormous change from the day he willingly participated in selling Joseph into slavery, knowing how deeply it would hurt his father, Jacob!

Joseph has now seen his brothers after years of separation (Genesis 42:7), been reunited with his youngest brother (Genesis 43:29–30), and heard of his older brothers' remorse for their crimes (Genesis 42:21–23). This offer from Judah finally overcomes Joseph's self-control; his emotions will pour out as he reveals his identity (Genesis 45:1–3).

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.