Genesis 44:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad [be] not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

Complete Jewish Bible:

So now if I go to your servant my father, and the boy isn't with us - seeing how his heart is bound up with the boy's heart -

Berean Standard Bible:

So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life,

American Standard Version:

Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now therefore when I come^{H935} to thy servant^{H5650} my father^{H1}, and the lad^{H5288} be not with us; seeing that his life^{H5315} is bound up^{H7194} in the lad's life^{H5315};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 44:30

Genesis 44:30 is a part of the narrative involving Joseph, his brothers, and their father Jacob (also known as Israel). The historical context of this verse is set within the family dynamics of the patriarchal period, where Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, has risen to a position of power in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Family Loyalty and Love**: The verse reflects the deep bond between Jacob and his youngest son, Benjamin, who is the full brother of Joseph. Jacob's affection for Benjamin is especially strong, as he believes Joseph to be dead. The phrase "his life is bound up in the lad's life" illustrates the emotional dependency and the depth of his paternal love.

2. **Fear of Loss**: Judah, the speaker in this verse, is expressing his fear of the grief that would overcome their father if Benjamin does not return with them from Egypt. This fear stems from the potential loss of yet another favored son, which would be unbearable for Jacob.

3. **Redemption and Forgiveness**: The broader context of this chapter shows Joseph testing his brothers to see if they have changed since they sold him into slavery. Judah's plea for Benjamin's return is a sign of his transformation and willingness to sacrifice his own freedom for his father's happiness and his brother's safety.

4. **Divine Providence**: The narrative of Joseph and his brothers is often seen as an example of God's providence. Despite the brothers' initial act of betrayal, God's plan leads to Joseph being in a position to save his family during a famine, which ultimately preserves the lineage of Israel.

In summary, Genesis 44:30 is a poignant moment in the Joseph narrative that highlights the strong family ties and the emotional turmoil within the family. It is a turning point that demonstrates the brothers' change of heart and sets the stage for the eventual reconciliation and fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.

*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: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
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: 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-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5288
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַעַר
   Transliteration: naʻar
   Pronunciation: nah'-ar
   Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7194
   There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָשַׁר
   Transliteration: qâshar
   Pronunciation: kaw-shar'
   Description: a primitive root; to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league); bind (up), (make a) conspire(-acy, -ator), join together, knit, stronger, work (treason).