Genesis 43:5

KJV

But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if thou wilt not send {H7971} him, we will not go down {H3381}: for the man {H376} said {H559} unto us, Ye shall not see {H7200} my face {H6440}, except your brother {H251} be with you.

Complete Jewish Bible

but if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

Berean Standard Bible

But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”

American Standard Version

but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 43:5](/genesis/43-5 "Read Genesis 43:5 in the KJV Bible") captures Judah's urgent plea to Jacob, emphasizing the dire necessity of sending Benjamin to Egypt. He reiterates the Egyptian governor's (Joseph's) non-negotiable demand: without their youngest brother, they would be denied audience and the opportunity to purchase grain, leaving their family to face certain starvation amidst the severe famine.

### CONTEXT
This verse is spoken by Judah to his father, Jacob, during a devastating famine that gripped Canaan. Jacob had initially sent his ten eldest sons to Egypt to buy grain, having heard of its availability there ([Genesis 42:1](/genesis/42-1 "Read about the famine and Jacob's decision in Genesis 42:1")). Upon their arrival, they encountered Joseph, now the powerful governor of Egypt ([Genesis 42:6](/genesis/42-6 "Read about Joseph's position in Genesis 42:6")). Joseph, recognizing his brothers but remaining unrecognized, accused them of being spies and demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, back with them on their next trip to prove their honesty, holding Simeon as a hostage ([Genesis 42:19](/genesis/42-19 "Read about Joseph's demands and Simeon's capture in Genesis 42:19")). Jacob was deeply distressed by this demand, fearing for Benjamin's safety, especially after the presumed loss of Joseph years earlier ([Genesis 42:36](/genesis/42-36 "Read about Jacob's distress in Genesis 42:36")). However, as their food supply dwindled, the necessity of returning to Egypt became urgent, leading Judah to deliver this stark reminder of Joseph's unwavering condition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 43:5](/genesis/43-5 "Read Genesis 43:5 in the KJV Bible") presents Judah's direct and forceful statement to his reluctant father, Jacob, outlining the absolute terms set by the Egyptian governor.

* **"But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down"**: Judah's words convey an ultimatum. The phrase "we will not go down" is not a defiant refusal but a statement of impossibility. They literally cannot return to Egypt to buy food if Benjamin is not with them, as the governor's decree was explicit. This highlights the extreme pressure on the family due to the famine.
* **"for the man said unto us"**: "The man" refers to Joseph, whose identity remains unknown to his brothers and father. This phrase underscores Joseph's authority and the finality of his command. His word is law in Egypt, and there is no room for negotiation.
* **"Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you"**: The idiom "see my face" means to gain an audience with or permission from a superior. It signifies that without Benjamin, they would not even be granted an interview, let alone allowed to conduct business or purchase grain. This condition was a deliberate test by Joseph, designed to bring Benjamin to him and to assess his brothers' character and their care for their youngest brother, the only full brother of Joseph's mother, Rachel.

The verse encapsulates the tension between Jacob's protective love for Benjamin and the family's desperate need for survival. Judah, stepping into a leadership role, confronts his father with the harsh reality that their very lives depend on compliance with this seemingly impossible demand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence Amidst Human Desperation:** Even in moments of extreme uncertainty and seemingly impossible demands, God is orchestrating events behind the scenes. Joseph's strict conditions, though appearing harsh, are part of God's plan to test, humble, and ultimately reconcile Jacob's family, preserving them through the famine ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Read Joseph's perspective on God's plan in Genesis 50:20")).
* **The Weight of Responsibility and Leadership:** Judah's willingness to confront Jacob and later pledge his own life for Benjamin's safety ([Genesis 43:9](/genesis/43-9 "Read Judah's pledge for Benjamin in Genesis 43:9")) demonstrates a significant growth in character and leadership, contrasting with his earlier role in selling Joseph into slavery. This highlights the theme of transformation and accountability.
* **Consequences of Disobedience and the Necessity of Compliance:** The brothers clearly understood that their access to food and safety was directly tied to their obedience to the governor's command. This illustrates a biblical principle that certain blessings or provisions are conditional upon obedience and trust.
* **Overcoming Fear for Survival:** Jacob's reluctance to send Benjamin stems from deep-seated fear and past trauma. The narrative demonstrates the lengths people will go to secure their well-being and the importance of facing fears when necessary for survival, trusting that God can work through even the most difficult circumstances.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 43:5](/genesis/43-5 "Read Genesis 43:5 in the KJV Bible") reminds us that life often presents us with difficult choices where essential needs conflict with personal desires or fears. It challenges us to consider our priorities when faced with seemingly impossible demands, urging us to trust in God's overarching providence even when the path ahead is unclear or requires significant personal sacrifice. Like Judah, we are called to step up in moments of crisis, taking responsibility and demonstrating courage for the well-being of those entrusted to our care. The family's journey underscores the vital role of obedience and the necessity of confronting our fears when survival or spiritual growth depends on it, knowing that God often works through our obedience to bring about His greater purposes.

### FAQ

**Why was Joseph so insistent on Benjamin coming to Egypt?**

Answer: Joseph's insistence on Benjamin's presence was multifaceted. Firstly, it was a test of his brothers' character and their care for Benjamin, their youngest brother and the only other son of Rachel, Joseph's mother. He wanted to see if they had changed from the jealous, deceitful men who had sold him into slavery. Secondly, it was a means to bring Benjamin to him, as Joseph deeply longed to see his full brother. Thirdly, it was part of his divine plan to bring the entire family to Egypt, where he could preserve them through the famine and ultimately reveal his identity, leading to reconciliation.

**What does the phrase "Ye shall not see my face" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "Ye shall not see my face" is an idiomatic expression common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It means to be denied an audience with, or permission from, a superior or person in authority. In this context, Joseph was telling his brothers that they would not be allowed to enter his presence, conduct any business, or purchase grain unless Benjamin was with them. It signified an absolute ban on their access and any further transactions without meeting his condition.

**Why did Judah, not Reuben, speak to Jacob in this verse?**

Answer: While Reuben was the eldest son, Judah had increasingly emerged as a leader within the family. Reuben had previously failed to protect Joseph and later made a rash pledge concerning his own sons' lives ([Genesis 42:37](/genesis/42-37 "Read Reuben's pledge in Genesis 42:37")), which Jacob did not accept. Judah, however, demonstrates a growing maturity and responsibility. He later offers himself as a surety for Benjamin ([Genesis 43:9](/genesis/43-9 "Read Judah's pledge for Benjamin in Genesis 43:9")) and delivers a powerful plea to Joseph in [Genesis 44](/genesis/44 "Read Genesis 44 in the KJV Bible"). This shift highlights Judah's developing leadership, which foreshadows his future prominence in the lineage of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 43:5](/genesis/43-5 "Read Genesis 43:5 in the KJV Bible") and the broader narrative of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers prefigure Christ in profound ways. Joseph, rejected and sold by his brothers, rises to power and becomes the savior of his family and many nations, mirroring Christ's suffering, rejection, exaltation, and ultimate role as the world's Redeemer. The necessity of Benjamin's presence for the brothers to "see Joseph's face" and receive sustenance can be seen as a type of the necessity of Christ for humanity to "see God's face" and receive spiritual life. Just as Judah pledged himself as surety for Benjamin, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice, Christ became the divine surety for humanity, pledging His life to reconcile us to God and provide eternal sustenance. The journey to Egypt for physical salvation from famine points to humanity's need to come to Christ for spiritual salvation from sin and death, where true reconciliation and abundant life are found.

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.