Genesis 42:36

KJV

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved [of my children]: Joseph [is] not, and Simeon [is] not, and ye will take Benjamin [away]: all these things are against me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} their father {H1} said {H559} unto them, Me have ye bereaved {H7921} of my children: Joseph {H3130} is not, and Simeon {H8095} is not, and ye will take {H3947} Benjamin {H1144} away: all these things are against me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ya'akov their father said to them, "You have robbed me of my children! Yosef is gone, Shim'on is gone, now you're taking Binyamin away - it all falls on me!"

Berean Standard Bible

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”

American Standard Version

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:36 captures the profound anguish of Jacob, who, overwhelmed by a series of perceived losses, laments the disappearance of Joseph, the captivity of Simeon, and the imminent threat of losing his youngest and most beloved son, Benjamin. From his limited human perspective, Jacob interprets these compounding misfortunes as a conspiracy against him, expressing deep despair and a feeling of abandonment amidst the severe famine and ongoing family trials, unable to discern God's sovereign, redemptive plan unfolding behind the scenes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 42:36 is a pivotal emotional outburst within the larger Joseph narrative, specifically following the first journey of Jacob's ten elder sons to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. The immediate preceding verses detail their return to Canaan, the discovery of the money in their sacks, and their recounting of the Egyptian governor's demand: they must bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove their honesty and secure Simeon's release, who has been held hostage. This demand plunges Jacob into deep despair, as he had already grieved Joseph as dead for many years ([Genesis 37:31-35](/genesis/37-31-35 "Genesis 37:31-35 - Jacob Mourns Joseph")). The verse serves as a dramatic climax to this initial phase of the reunion, highlighting Jacob's profound suffering and setting the stage for the reluctant decision to send Benjamin, which is crucial for the full revelation of Joseph's identity in subsequent chapters ([Genesis 45:1-15](/genesis/45-1-15 "Genesis 45:1-15 - Joseph Reveals Himself")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a severe, multi-year famine that gripped the ancient Near East, forcing people to travel great distances for sustenance, as depicted in [Genesis 41:56-57](/genesis/41-56-57 "Genesis 41:56-57 - The Famine Spreads"). In this patriarchal society, sons were considered the primary means of lineage continuation, family strength, and security, making the loss of a child a devastating blow. Jacob's particular attachment to Benjamin stemmed from his birth to Rachel, his beloved wife who died in childbirth ([Genesis 35:16-19](/genesis/35-16-19 "Genesis 35:16-19 - Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth")), making Benjamin a living link to her memory. The dangers of travel, the authority of foreign rulers, and the absolute necessity of grain for survival underscore the precariousness of their situation and the weight of Jacob's decision.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Genesis and the Joseph narrative. It underscores the theme of **human suffering and despair**, portraying Jacob's raw grief and limited perspective in the face of overwhelming circumstances. It highlights the stark contrast between **human perception and divine providence**, as Jacob, consumed by his immediate pain, cannot see how these very trials are being orchestrated by God for the preservation of his family and the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and himself ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). Furthermore, it emphasizes **God's sovereignty working through adversity**, demonstrating that even through the most painful and seemingly chaotic events, God remains in control, subtly guiding circumstances to achieve His ultimate good purposes, a truth explicitly articulated later by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This word (H1) signifies Jacob's role not just as a biological parent but as the patriarch of the nascent nation of Israel. His lament is not merely personal grief but the cry of the covenant head, whose family's very existence is seemingly threatened. The weight of his responsibility and the perceived failure to protect his offspring amplify his despair.
* **bereaved (Hebrew, _shâkôl'_):** The verb (H7921) is a strong term, meaning "to miscarry" or "to suffer abortion," and by analogy, "to bereave (of children)." It conveys the profound, visceral pain of being stripped of one's offspring, a sense of being made childless or having one's family line cut off. Jacob's use of this word underscores the depth of his emotional agony, feeling as though his sons are being forcibly taken from him, leaving him desolate.
* **take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** This versatile verb (H3947) means "to take" in a wide variety of applications, from accepting to seizing. In Jacob's lament, "ye will take Benjamin away," it carries a sense of forceful removal and irreversible loss. It highlights his perception that his remaining hope and comfort are being actively stripped from him, not by external forces alone, but by the actions (however unwilling) of his own sons.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jacob their father said unto them,"**: This opening sets the scene, identifying the speaker as the patriarch, Jacob, and the audience as his sons who have just returned from Egypt. The title "their father" emphasizes the familial context of his despair and the deep emotional bond that underpins his subsequent lament.
* **"Me have ye bereaved [of my children]:"**: Jacob expresses his profound sense of loss directly to his sons, implying that their actions (or the consequences of their actions in Egypt) have led to his current state of desolation. The term "bereaved" conveys a deep, almost existential sorrow, as if his very essence as a father is being stripped away through the cumulative loss of his offspring.
* **"Joseph [is] not, and Simeon [is] not,"**: This clause articulates the immediate sources of Jacob's grief. Joseph, his beloved son, has been presumed dead for years. Now, Simeon is held captive in Egypt, his fate uncertain. The repeated "is not" underscores the stark, painful reality of their absence and the feeling of irreversible loss that weighs heavily on Jacob's heart.
* **"and ye will take Benjamin [away]:"**: This expresses Jacob's greatest fear and the impending threat that pushes him to the brink. Benjamin, the youngest son of Rachel, represents Jacob's last tangible connection to his beloved deceased wife. The potential loss of Benjamin is the final, unbearable blow, sealing his perceived fate of utter desolation.
* **"all these things are against me."**: This climactic statement encapsulates Jacob's overwhelming despair and his limited human perspective. From his viewpoint, every circumstance—famine, Joseph's disappearance, Simeon's captivity, and the demand for Benjamin—appears to conspire against him. He feels targeted by misfortune, unable to discern the divine providence that is, ironically, orchestrating these very events for his family's ultimate preservation and reunion.

#### Literary Devices
Jacob's lament in Genesis 42:36 is rich with literary devices that amplify its emotional impact. **Hyperbole** is evident in Jacob's declaration, "all these things are against me," as he perceives every event as a personal attack, exaggerating the adversity from his limited viewpoint. This statement also employs **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the suffering patriarch who feels utterly overwhelmed and abandoned. The **Repetition** of "is not" ("Joseph is not, and Simeon is not") underscores the cumulative nature of his perceived losses, building a sense of escalating tragedy and emphasizing the void left by his sons' absence. Furthermore, the passage is imbued with dramatic **Irony**, as Jacob's profound despair stems from events that are, unbeknownst to him, being divinely orchestrated for his family's salvation and reunion. His lament, born of a limited human perspective, stands in stark contrast to the divine wisdom and benevolent purpose secretly at work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's heart-wrenching lament in Genesis 42:36 offers a poignant glimpse into the reality of human suffering and the profound limitations of our perspective when faced with adversity. It reminds us that even faithful individuals can experience deep despair and feel abandoned by God when circumstances seem overwhelmingly negative. However, the broader narrative of Joseph reveals that God's sovereign hand is always at work, even when His purposes are hidden from our immediate view. What appears to be a series of devastating misfortunes is, in fact, God's intricate plan unfolding to preserve His covenant people and bring about His redemptive will. This tension between human perception and divine providence is a recurring theme in Scripture, assuring us that God's wisdom and goodness transcend our understanding.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's Redemptive Purpose Through Evil")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All Things Work for Good")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's cry, "all these things are against me," resonates deeply with the human experience of feeling overwhelmed by life's trials. In moments of profound loss, uncertainty, or compounding difficulties, it is natural to feel that circumstances are conspiring against us, leading to despair and a sense of abandonment. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our immediate perception is often limited; what appears to be a series of misfortunes may, in God's sovereign plan, be part of a larger, beneficial, and redemptive purpose. It challenges us to cultivate a deeper, unwavering trust in God's ultimate goodness and faithfulness, even when His hand is not immediately discernible and the path forward seems bleak. Jacob's story, which ultimately turns from profound despair to unexpected joy and reunion, offers enduring hope that even the darkest valleys can lead to unforeseen blessings and divine fulfillment, urging perseverance and faith through trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt like "all these things are against me," and how did you navigate that despair?**
* **How does Jacob's limited perspective challenge your own understanding of God's work in difficult circumstances?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when His plan is hidden?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jacob say "all these things are against me" if God is working for his good?**

Answer: Jacob's statement reflects his limited human perspective in the midst of overwhelming suffering and perceived loss. At this moment, he is entirely unaware of Joseph's survival and the intricate, providential plan God is orchestrating through these difficult circumstances. From Jacob's viewpoint, he has lost his beloved Joseph, Simeon is now imprisoned in Egypt, and Benjamin, his last son from Rachel, is at risk of being taken away. This series of events leads him to the natural, albeit incomplete, conclusion that everything is conspiring against him. This highlights a common human experience: the inability to see God's unseen hand at work until the full story unfolds, often much later, as seen when Joseph later declares God's good purpose in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Declaration of God's Purpose").

**What does "bereaved" mean in the context of Genesis 42:36?**

Answer: In this context, "bereaved" translates the Hebrew word *shakal* (H7921), which signifies the profound sorrow and pain of suffering the loss of children or being made childless. Jacob feels that his sons, through their actions and the resulting circumstances, are unwilling instruments of his renewed sorrow. He perceives himself to be losing his children one by one, emphasizing the deep emotional anguish and the sense of being stripped of his offspring. It's a powerful expression of a father's grief over the perceived destruction of his family line and the deep emotional void left by his absent sons.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's profound despair, born from perceived loss and the inability to discern God's hidden hand, finds a powerful Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as Jacob mourned Joseph, believing him utterly lost to a violent death, only for Joseph to emerge as the providential savior who preserved his family from famine, so too God's ultimate plan of salvation unfolded through the apparent loss and suffering of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The Father, in His divine wisdom, allowed His Son to be "taken away" through crucifixion ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Foreknowledge and Jesus' Crucifixion")), seemingly a tragic end that left His disciples in despair. Yet, through Christ's death and glorious resurrection, He became the ultimate deliverer, not just of a family from physical famine, but of all who believe from spiritual famine and eternal death ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Jacob's eventual reunion with Joseph and the preservation of his lineage prefigure the glorious reunion of God's people with Christ, where all perceived losses are redeemed, and God's perfect, redemptive plan, often hidden in suffering and apparent defeat, is ultimately revealed and fulfilled in Him, who "gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age" ([Galatians 1:4](/galatians/1-4 "Galatians 1:4 - Christ's Sacrifice for Our Sins")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 43:14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.

Isaiah 27:9

By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this [is] all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:14

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Job 7:7

¶ O remember that my life [is] wind: mine eye shall no more see good.