Genesis 44:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou [art] even as Pharaoh.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Y'hudah approached Yosef and said, "Please, my lord! Let your servant say something to you privately; and don't be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself.

American Standard Version:

Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Judah^{H3063} came near^{H5066} unto him, and said^{H559}, Oh^{H994} my lord^{H113}, let thy servant^{H5650}, I pray thee, speak^{H1696} a word^{H1697} in my lord's^{H113} ears^{H241}, and let not thine anger^{H639} burn^{H2734} against thy servant^{H5650}: for thou art even as Pharaoh^{H6547}.

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Commentary for Genesis 44:18

Genesis 44:18 is part of the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and eventually rose to a position of power in Egypt. The verse occurs during the climax of the narrative when Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers, tests their integrity and loyalty to their youngest brother, Benjamin.

In the historical context, this event takes place during the time of the patriarchs when famine has struck Canaan, prompting Jacob to send his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph, as the second-in-command in Egypt, has devised a series of trials for his brothers to see if they have changed since they betrayed him years earlier.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Forgiveness and Reconciliation**: Judah's approach to Joseph, pleading on behalf of Benjamin and the family, reflects a theme of seeking forgiveness and the potential for reconciliation among estranged family members.

2. **Brotherly Love and Responsibility**: Judah's willingness to take responsibility for Benjamin's safety and to offer himself as a substitute for his brother shows a transformation in his character, emphasizing the importance of brotherly love and duty.

3. **Divine Providence**: The unfolding events suggest that Joseph's rise to power and the circumstances leading to this confrontation are part of a larger divine plan, which is a recurring theme in the Bible.

4. **Testing of Character**: Joseph's testing of his brothers is akin to the trials that God allows His people to endure, revealing their true character and leading to personal growth and repentance.

5. **Authority and Power**: The reference to Pharaoh underscores the theme of authority and the proper use of power, as Joseph's position mirrors that of Pharaoh, yet he chooses to use his power redemptively rather than oppressively.

In summary, Genesis 44:18 captures a pivotal moment where themes of forgiveness, brotherly love, divine providence, character testing, and the use of authority converge, setting the stage for a dramatic resolution and family reunion.

*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: H5066
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָגַשׁ
   Transliteration: nâgash
   Pronunciation: naw-gash'
   Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H994
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּי
   Transliteration: bîy
   Pronunciation: bee
   Description: perhaps from בָּעָה (in the sense of asking); properly, a request; used only adverbially (always with 'my Lord'); oh that!; with leave, or if it please; alas, O, oh.
   
5. Strong's Number: H113
   There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
   Pronunciation: aw-done'
   Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5650
   There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶבֶד
   Transliteration: ʻebed
   Pronunciation: eh'-bed
   Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
9. Strong's Number: H241
   There are 652 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֹזֶן
   Transliteration: ʼôzen
   Pronunciation: o'-zen
   Description: from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show.
   
10. Strong's Number: H639
    There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַף
    Transliteration: ʼaph
    Pronunciation: af
    Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath.
    
11. Strong's Number: H2734
    There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָרָה
    Transliteration: chârâh
    Pronunciation: khaw-raw'
    Description: a primitive root (compare חָרַר); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy; be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See תַּחָרָה.
    
12. Strong's Number: H6547
    There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
    Transliteration: Parʻôh
    Pronunciation: par-o'
    Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh.