King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
Complete Jewish Bible:
If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food;
Berean Standard Bible:
If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
American Standard Version:
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
If thou wilt{H3426} send{H7971} our brother{H251} with us, we will go down{H3381} and buy{H7666} thee food{H400}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 43:4
Genesis 43:4 is a verse from the narrative of Joseph, which is part of the larger patriarchal narratives in the Book of Genesis. The historical context of this verse is set during a time of famine in Canaan, where Joseph's brothers had initially gone to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers years earlier, is now a high-ranking official in Egypt, though his identity is unknown to them.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Family Dynamics**: The relationship between Joseph and his brothers is complex, involving betrayal, guilt, and reconciliation. The brothers' willingness to bring Benjamin, their youngest brother and Joseph's full brother, back to Egypt reflects their evolving family loyalty and dynamics.
2. **Providence and God's Plan**: The narrative suggests that despite human actions, such as Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery, God's plan is being fulfilled. Joseph's rise to power in Egypt is part of a larger divine plan to preserve the family of Israel during the famine.
3. **Testing and Integrity**: Joseph tests his brothers to see if they have changed since their initial betrayal. His demand that they bring Benjamin to Egypt is a test of their honesty and commitment to each other.
4. **Famine and Provision**: The backdrop of famine highlights themes of scarcity and divine provision. Egypt's abundance, due to Joseph's management, contrasts with Canaan's scarcity, emphasizing God's role in providing for His people in times of need.
5. **Redemption and Forgiveness**: The story of Joseph is ultimately one of redemption and forgiveness. The brothers' actions in this verse are part of the process that leads to Joseph revealing his identity and forgiving them for their past actions.
In summary, Genesis 43:4 reflects the themes of family relationships, divine providence, moral testing, provision during hardship, and the seeds of redemption and forgiveness within the historical context of a severe famine in the ancient Near East.
*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: H3426
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁ
Transliteration: yêsh
Pronunciation: yaysh
Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - 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-'. - Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H7666
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁבַר
Transliteration: shâbar
Pronunciation: shaw-bar'
Description: denominative from שֶׁבֶר; to deal in grain; buy, sell. - Strong's Number: H400
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹכֶל
Transliteration: ʼôkel
Pronunciation: o'-kel
Description: from אָכַל; food; eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals.