Genesis 43:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Y'hudah said to him, "The man expressly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

Berean Standard Bible:

But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Judah^{H3063} spake^{H559} unto him, saying^{H559}, The man^{H376} did solemnly^{H5749} protest^{H5749} unto us, saying^{H559}, Ye shall not see^{H7200} my face^{H6440}, except^{H1115} your brother^{H251} be with you.

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Commentary for Genesis 43:3

Genesis 43:3 is a verse from the narrative of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. The historical context is set during a time of severe famine in the land of Canaan, where Jacob's family resides. Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, had been sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, where he eventually rose to a position of power as Pharaoh's second-in-command due to his ability to interpret dreams.

The themes of Genesis 43:3 include family dynamics, guilt, and divine providence. The verse captures a moment of crisis for Jacob's family, as they are forced to confront the consequences of their past actions against Joseph. Judah, one of the brothers involved in selling Joseph, speaks to his father Jacob about the condition set by the Egyptian ruler (who is actually Joseph, but they do not recognize him). This ruler insists that they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove their honesty and secure more food, as well as the release of their brother Simeon, who had been detained during their first visit.

Judah's statement reflects the tension and uncertainty the brothers face, as they are caught between the dire need for food and the moral implications of their earlier betrayal of Joseph. It also sets the stage for the unfolding drama of reconciliation and forgiveness, as Joseph's testing of his brothers will ultimately lead to a heartfelt reunion and the family's preservation. The verse underscores the theme of God's sovereignty, as He works through human actions and circumstances to fulfill His purposes, in this case, the survival of the Israelite family line that would lead to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3063
   There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוּדָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
   Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5749
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עוּד
   Transliteration: ʻûwd
   Pronunciation: ood
   Description: a primitive root; to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication); admonish, charge, earnestly, lift up, protest, call (take) to record, relieve, rob, solemnly, stand upright, testify, give warning, (bear, call to, give, take to) witness.
   
5. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1115
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּלְתִּי
   Transliteration: biltîy
   Pronunciation: bil-tee'
   Description: constructive feminine of בָּלָה (equivalent to בְּלִי); properly, a failure of, i.e. (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until, etc.; because un(satiable), beside, but, [phrase] continual, except, from, lest, neither, no more, none, not, nothing, save, that no, without.
   
8. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.