King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Except for our lengthy delay, we would have been there again by now."
Berean Standard Bible:
If we had not delayed, we could have come and gone twice by now.”
American Standard Version:
for except we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second time.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For except{H3884} we had lingered{H4102}, surely now we had returned{H7725} this second time{H6471}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 19:16
- And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
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Commentary for Genesis 43:10
Genesis 43:10 is a part of the narrative concerning Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis. The verse is part of the dialogue between Jacob (also known as Israel) and his sons, as they discuss returning to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. The historical context of this verse is set in the patriarchal period, around the 17th century BCE, during the time when the Hebrew people (the Israelites) were living in the land of Canaan.
In this verse, the speaker, who is likely Reuben, the eldest brother, is addressing his father's hesitation to let Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, go with them to Egypt. The theme here is familial loyalty and the tension between fear and necessity. The brothers had previously traveled to Egypt to secure food, and upon their return, they had been confronted by Joseph, who was then the second-in-command in Egypt, though they did not recognize him. Joseph had accused them of being spies and demanded that they prove their innocence by bringing Benjamin back with them.
The phrase "For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time" reflects the urgency of their situation. The brothers are explaining that their delay in returning to Egypt was not intentional but was due to their father's initial refusal to let Benjamin go with them. They imply that if not for this lingering, they would have already made the second trip and returned home by this time. This verse underscores the precarious balance the family is facing: they need to secure food to survive the famine, but they also fear for the safety of their youngest brother, whom they had protected zealously after the apparent loss of Joseph years earlier.
The themes of this verse include the providence of God in human affairs, the testing of faith, and the complex dynamics of family relationships. It also highlights the importance of trust and the consequences of past actions, as the brothers' earlier betrayal of Joseph now affects their current predicament. This moment in the narrative builds toward the eventual reconciliation and restoration of the family, which are central themes in the Joseph story.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3884
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לוּלֵא
Transliteration: lûwlêʼ
Pronunciation: loo-lay'
Description: or לוּלֵי; from לוּא and לֹא; if not; except, had not, if (...not), unless, were it not that. - Strong's Number: H4102
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָהַהּ
Transliteration: mâhahh
Pronunciation: maw-hah'
Description: apparently a denominative from מָה; properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant; delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. - Strong's Number: H7725
There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שׁוּב
Transliteration: shûwb
Pronunciation: shoob
Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - Strong's Number: H6471
There are 108 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּעַם
Transliteration: paʻam
Pronunciation: pah'-am
Description: or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.