Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
Genesis 43:3 · WEB
Save this verse: — saved on this device. Create a free account to keep it everywhere.
Back to the chapter

Other translations

WEB

Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, 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.

Word study

And Judah Yᵉhûwdâh H3063
spake ʼâmar H559
unto ʼêl H413
him, saying, ʼâmar H559
The man ʼîysh H376
did solemnly protest ʻûwd H5749
unto us, saying, ʼâmar H559
Ye shall not lôʼ H3808
see râʼâh H7200
my face, pânîym H6440
except biltîy H1115
your brother ʼâch H251
be with ʼêth H854
you.

Commentary

Matthew Henry

Here, 1. Jacob urges his sons to go and buy more corn in Egypt, Gen 43:1, Gen 43:2. The famine continued; and the corn they had bought was all spent, for it is meat that perisheth. Jacob, as a good master of a family, is in care to provide for those of his own house food convenient; and shall not God provide for his children, for the household of faith? Jacob bids them go again and buy a little food; now, in time of scarcity, a little must suffice, for nature is content with a little. 2. Judah urges him to consent that Benjamin should go down with them, how much soever it went against his feelings and previous determination. Note, It is not at all inconsistent with the honour and duty which children owe their parents humbly and modestly to advise them, and, as occasion is, to reason with them. Plead with your mother, plead, Hos 2:2. (1.) He insists upon the absolute necessity they were under of bringing Benjamin with them, of which he, who was a witness to all that had passed in Egypt, was a more competent judge than Jacob could be. Joseph's protestation (Gen 43:3) may be alluded to to show upon what terms we must draw nigh to God; unless we bring Christ along with us in the arms of our faith, we cannot see the face of God with comfort. (2.) He engages to take all possible care of him, and to do his utmost for his safety, Gen 43:8, Gen 43:9. Judah's conscience had lately smitten him for what he had done a great while ago against Joseph (Gen 42:21); and, as an evidence of the truth of his repentance, he is ready to undertake, as far as a man could do it, for Benjamin's security. He will not only not wrong him, but will do all he can to protect him. This is restitution, as far as the case will admit; when he knew not how he could restore Joseph, he would make some amends for the irreparable injury he had done him by doubling his care concerning Benjamin.

John Gill

If thou wilt send our brother with us,.... Give orders for his going with us, and put him under our care:

we will go down and buy thee food; signifying, on the above condition, that they were ready and willing to take a journey into Egypt, and buy provisions for him and his family, otherwise not.

Community notes

No notes yet on this verse.

Add your own note

Saved on this device for now. Create a free account to keep it and, if you choose, share it with other readers.