Genesis 42:4

KJV

But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Benjamin {H1144}, Joseph's {H3130} brother {H251}, Jacob {H3290} sent {H7971} not with his brethren {H251}; for he said {H559}, Lest peradventure {H6435} mischief {H611} befall him {H7122}.

Complete Jewish Bible

except for Binyamin, Yosef's brother. Ya'akov did not send him with his brothers, because he was afraid something might happen to him.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.”

American Standard Version

But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure harm befall him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:4 details Jacob's protective decision to withhold his youngest son, Benjamin, from accompanying his elder brothers on a grain-buying mission to Egypt amidst a severe famine. This choice, deeply influenced by the lingering trauma of Joseph's presumed death, underscores Jacob's intense fear of further loss and his profound parental anxiety. Unbeknownst to Jacob, this human apprehension and protective measure are intricately woven into God's sovereign plan, providentially setting the stage for the eventual reunion of his fragmented family and the revelation of Joseph's true identity, orchestrating events for their preservation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the unfolding narrative of the famine and Jacob's sons' journey to Egypt, which begins in [Genesis 42:1-3](/genesis/42-1-3 "Jacob sends his sons to Egypt"). It immediately follows Jacob's command for his sons to go to Egypt and precedes their arrival and initial encounter with Joseph. The specific mention of Benjamin's exclusion serves as a crucial plot point, creating the very tension and circumstances that Joseph will later exploit to test his brothers and bring Benjamin to Egypt, thereby setting in motion the full family reunion. It highlights the emotional and relational dynamics within Jacob's family, particularly the lingering grief over Joseph and the special status of Benjamin, which will drive much of the subsequent narrative in [Genesis 43](/genesis/43 "Joseph's brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set during a widespread famine, a common and devastating occurrence in the ancient Near East, which often forced migrations and interactions between different peoples. Egypt, with its reliance on the Nile for agriculture, was often a granary for the region during such times, making it a logical destination for those seeking sustenance. The patriarchal society of the time placed immense value on family lineage and the continuation of the family name, especially through sons. Jacob's intense protectiveness of Benjamin, the youngest son of his beloved Rachel, reflects this cultural emphasis on preserving the family line and the deep emotional bonds within the patriarchal household. The dangers of travel, including bandits and unknown foreign authorities, would have been very real concerns, amplifying Jacob's fears for his sons' safety.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 42:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God works through human decisions, even those driven by fear, to accomplish His ultimate purposes. Jacob's decision, though motivated by human anxiety, is a necessary step in God's plan to bring the entire family to Egypt, where they will be preserved and grow into a great nation, as promised to Abraham in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's promise to Abraham"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Familial Reconciliation**, as Benjamin's absence creates the initial tension that Joseph uses to orchestrate his brothers' return, paving the way for the eventual revelation and healing of past wounds, a process that culminates in [Genesis 45](/genesis/45 "Joseph reveals himself to his brothers"). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Parental Love and Trauma**, showcasing the deep emotional scars left by Joseph's presumed death and Jacob's desperate attempt to prevent a similar tragedy from befalling Benjamin, his last link to Rachel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Benjamin (Hebrew, _Binyâmîyn'_):** From the Hebrew words meaning "son of the right hand," Benjamin is identified as the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Joseph's only full brother. This name carries connotations of strength, favor, and special status. In this verse, his specific naming highlights his unique and precious position in Jacob's heart, especially after the presumed loss of Joseph. His very name underscores the significance of Jacob's decision to protect him.
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This verb signifies "to send away, for, or out," implying an act of dispatching or commissioning. The negative "sent not" emphasizes Jacob's deliberate refusal to allow Benjamin to embark on the journey. This is a conscious, active decision to withhold Benjamin, contrasting sharply with his willingness to send his other ten sons, thereby underscoring the depth of his protective instinct and the perceived danger of the mission.
* **mischief (Hebrew, _ʼâçôwn'_):** This term denotes "hurt," "calamity," "disaster," or "fatal accident." It implies a severe and potentially life-threatening misfortune, not merely a minor inconvenience or setback. Jacob's use of this word reveals the profound depth of his anxiety and the lingering trauma from Joseph's presumed death. He fears a grave, potentially fatal, outcome for Benjamin, mirroring the tragedy he believed had befallen Joseph.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Benjamin, Joseph's brother,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the subject of Jacob's exceptional treatment. Benjamin is not just any son; he is specifically identified as "Joseph's brother," highlighting his unique connection to the son Jacob mourned as lost. This familial tie explains the profound emotional weight Jacob places on Benjamin's safety, as he is the last remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel.
* **"Jacob sent not with his brethren;"**: This clause states Jacob's decisive action—or rather, inaction—regarding Benjamin. While the other ten sons are dispatched to Egypt, Jacob explicitly withholds Benjamin. This direct contrast underscores Jacob's differential treatment and intense protectiveness towards Benjamin, setting him apart from his siblings and emphasizing the extraordinary nature of Jacob's fear.
* **"for he said,"**: This introduces Jacob's rationale for his decision, indicating that his action is not arbitrary but is a direct consequence of his spoken concern. It provides the audience with insight into Jacob's internal state and motivations, revealing his deep-seated anxieties.
* **"Lest peradventure mischief befall him."**: This final clause articulates the specific fear driving Jacob's decision. The phrase "lest peradventure" (Hebrew _pên_) expresses a strong apprehension of a negative outcome. "Mischief" (Hebrew _ʼâçôwn_) signifies a severe calamity or fatal accident. Jacob genuinely fears that Benjamin could suffer a tragic, perhaps deadly, fate similar to what he believed happened to Joseph, making his decision a desperate attempt to prevent a recurring, unbearable loss.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning. **Emphasis** is clearly placed on Benjamin through his specific naming and the immediate identification as "Joseph's brother," distinguishing him from the other sons and highlighting his unique significance to Jacob. This emphasis foreshadows Benjamin's crucial role in the unfolding narrative. **Pathos** is powerfully evoked through Jacob's stated fear of "mischief befall[ing] him." This reveals the deep emotional trauma Jacob still carries from Joseph's presumed death, eliciting sympathy for the aging patriarch's anxiety and protective instinct. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Dramatic Irony** at play. Jacob's fear-driven decision to keep Benjamin safe, though understandable from his perspective, is ironically the very action that God uses to orchestrate the family's journey to Egypt, the reunion with Joseph, and their ultimate preservation. Jacob's human anxiety inadvertently aligns with divine providence, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's larger plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:4 serves as a poignant illustration of the interplay between human fear and divine sovereignty. Jacob's decision, born out of deep trauma and a profound desire to protect his beloved son, appears to be a purely human response to a dire situation. Yet, within the broader narrative of Genesis, it becomes clear that this very human anxiety is providentially woven into God's grand design. God uses Jacob's fear to ensure that Benjamin's eventual journey to Egypt is delayed and occurs under specific circumstances, creating the necessary conditions for Joseph to reveal himself and for the entire family to be brought into Egypt, thus preserving the covenant line during the famine. This highlights God's ability to work through and even utilize human limitations and fears to accomplish His perfect will, demonstrating that His plans are not thwarted by human weakness but often incorporate them.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's statement of God's good purpose")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God works all things for good")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound reflection on the nature of parental love, the enduring impact of trauma, and the mysterious ways of divine providence. Jacob's intense protectiveness of Benjamin, while deeply relatable, also reveals how past hurts can lead to overprotection and a struggle to fully trust in God's unseen hand. For us, it prompts an examination of our own anxieties and fears, especially those rooted in past experiences. Are we, like Jacob, allowing past "mischief" to dictate our present decisions, perhaps hindering God's unfolding plan in our lives? This passage reminds us that even when our human efforts are driven by fear or a desire for control, God remains sovereign, capable of weaving our anxieties and protective instincts into His larger tapestry of redemption. It calls us to a deeper trust in God's [providence](/psalms/37-23-24 "The Lord directs the steps of the godly"), even when circumstances seem perilous or our understanding is limited. Our responsibility is to act faithfully and wisely, while simultaneously releasing control to the God who works all things for good for those who love Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do past traumas or fears influence your current decisions and relationships?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to "hold back" out of fear, rather than trusting God's leading?**
* **How can you grow in trusting God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem uncertain or dangerous?**
* **What does Jacob's example teach us about the balance between responsible care and overprotection?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jacob so protective of Benjamin?**

Answer: Jacob's intense protectiveness of Benjamin stemmed primarily from the traumatic presumed death of Joseph, Benjamin's full brother and also a son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. Benjamin was the only remaining son of Rachel, making him uniquely precious to Jacob and representing his last tangible link to his deeply cherished wife. The patriarch feared that if Benjamin were to accompany his brothers, he too might suffer a similar "mischief" or fatal accident, which would be an unbearable loss for the aging father, compounding his already profound grief. His decision was a desperate attempt to prevent a repeat of the sorrow he experienced when he believed Joseph was lost forever, as seen in [Genesis 37:35](/genesis/37-35 "Jacob's grief over Joseph").

**What does "lest peradventure mischief befall him" truly mean?**

Answer: The King James Version phrase "lest peradventure mischief befall him" translates the Hebrew word `אָסוֹן` (*ason*), which signifies a severe calamity, disaster, or fatal accident. It implies a grave, life-threatening misfortune rather than a minor inconvenience or setback. Jacob's concern was for Benjamin's very life and well-being, reflecting the depth of his anxiety and the lingering trauma from Joseph's disappearance. The phrase conveys Jacob's profound apprehension that Benjamin would meet a tragic end, similar to what he believed had happened to Joseph in [Genesis 37:33](/genesis/37-33 "Jacob identifies Joseph's torn coat").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 42:4 directly portrays human fear and a father's protective instinct, it subtly points to the broader narrative of divine providence that culminates in Christ. Jacob's reluctance to "send" his beloved son Benjamin into potential danger stands in stark contrast to God the Father's willingness to "send" His beloved Son, Jesus, into a world fraught with sin and suffering. Jacob's fear was rooted in the potential for "mischief" (calamity or death) to befall Benjamin, a fear that humanly speaking was justified. Yet, God the Father, in His infinite love and wisdom, willingly sent His only Son, knowing full well that "mischief"—the ultimate suffering and death on the cross—would indeed befall Him. Just as Benjamin's eventual journey to Egypt was essential for the salvation and reunion of Jacob's family, so too was Christ's mission, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection, essential for the salvation and spiritual reunion of humanity with God. The Father's ultimate act of love in sending His Son, even to face the "mischief" of the cross, demonstrates a divine purpose far surpassing human fear, ensuring the ultimate redemption and preservation of His chosen people, fulfilling the promise of a "seed" who would crush the serpent's head ([Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "The Protoevangelium")). This divine sending is the ultimate act of love, for "God so loved the world, that he [gave his only Son](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God so loved the world"), that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

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 42:38

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 3:22

¶ And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

Genesis 44:27

And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two [sons]:

Genesis 44:34

For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad [be] not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

Genesis 35:16

¶ And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

Genesis 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.

Genesis 44:20

And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.