Genesis 44:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, so that I can see him.'

Berean Standard Bible:

Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so that I can see him for myself.’

American Standard Version:

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And thou saidst^{H559} unto thy servants^{H5650}, Bring him down^{H3381} unto me, that I may set^{H7760} mine eyes^{H5869} upon him.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 44:21

Genesis 44:21 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 Jacob's sons, has risen to a position of power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Joseph's brothers, unaware of his true identity, had come to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine.

**Themes:**

1. **Deception and Testing:** Joseph, recognizing his brothers but not revealing himself, devises a test to see if his brothers have changed since they sold him into slavery years earlier. He accuses them of being spies and later demands that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt as a condition for more grain and the release of Simeon, who was being held.

2. **Family Dynamics and Brotherly Love:** The verse reflects the complex relationships within the family of Jacob. Joseph's actions are a means to discover whether his brothers are still capable of betrayal or if they have developed a sense of brotherhood and loyalty, especially towards Benjamin, who is also Joseph's full brother.

3. **Divine Providence:** The narrative suggests that God's plan is being fulfilled through these events. Joseph's rise to power and the subsequent famine are seen as part of a larger divine scheme to preserve the family of Israel and fulfill God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. **Redemption and Forgiveness:** The overarching theme of the story is one of redemption. Joseph's treatment of his brothers is ultimately leading to a moment of forgiveness and reconciliation, which will be pivotal for the survival of the Israelite family.

**Historical Context:**

The events described in Genesis 44:21 are part of a larger story that takes place in the late Bronze Age, around the 18th to 15th centuries BCE. This period was characterized by the development of powerful city-states and empires, including Egypt. The story reflects the cultural and political dynamics of the time, where foreigners might be subject to suspicion and where a skilled administrator like Joseph could rise to high office in a foreign court.

In summary, Genesis 44:21 is set within a rich narrative of family betrayal, divine providence, and eventual redemption. It captures the tension of Joseph's testing of his brothers and the unfolding of God's plan for the Israelite people, against the backdrop of ancient Egypt's societal and political landscape.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).