King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
Complete Jewish Bible:
My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father? or a brother?'
Berean Standard Bible:
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’
American Standard Version:
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
My lord{H113} asked{H7592} his servants{H5650}, saying{H559}, Have{H3426} ye a father{H1}, or a brother{H251}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 43:7
- And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
Genesis 42:7
- ¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
Genesis 42:10
- And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
Genesis 43:29
- And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, [Is] this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
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Commentary for Genesis 44:19
Genesis 44:19 is a part of the narrative involving Joseph and his brothers in Egypt. The historical context of this verse is set during the period when Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (also known as Israel), has become a high-ranking official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Unbeknownst to his brothers, Joseph is the brother they had sold into slavery years earlier.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Family Dynamics and Reconciliation**: The verse touches on the complex relationship between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's question about their father and brother is a strategic move to reveal whether they have changed since they sold him into slavery and whether they have any concern for their father, Jacob, and their half-brother, Benjamin.
2. **Identity and Recognition**: Joseph is testing his brothers to see if they have any remorse for their past actions and to determine if they have grown to appreciate the importance of family, particularly in the way they treat Benjamin, Joseph's full brother.
3. **Divine Providence**: The narrative suggests that God's plan is being worked out through these events. Joseph's rise to power and the subsequent famine are part of a larger divine plan to preserve the family of Israel through whom God would establish His covenant.
4. **Moral Integrity**: Joseph's actions, despite his power, are measured and considerate of his family's well-being, showcasing his moral integrity and foreshadowing the eventual reconciliation and forgiveness within the family.
5. **Testing and Trial**: Joseph devises a series of tests to see if his brothers are capable of acting morally and to see if they would protect Benjamin as they had not protected him. This is a test of their character and loyalty.
In summary, Genesis 44:19 is a pivotal verse in the story of Joseph, highlighting themes of family reconciliation, identity, divine providence, moral integrity, and the testing of character within the historical context of Joseph's rise to power in Egypt and the famine that brings his family to him in need.
*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: 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-'. - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - 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. - 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. - 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: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - 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-'.