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.

And we said {H559} unto my lord {H113}, We have {H3426} a father {H1}, an old man {H2205}, and a child {H3206} of his old age {H2208}, a little one {H6996}; and his brother {H251} is dead {H4191}, and he alone is left {H3498} of his mother {H517}, and his father {H1} loveth {H157} him.

We answered my lord, 'We have a father who is an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one whose brother is dead; so that of his mother's children he alone is left; and his father loves him.'

And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’

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.

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 44:20

This verse is part of Judah's impassioned plea to Joseph, whom his brothers still do not recognize as their long-lost sibling, but rather as the powerful Egyptian governor. Joseph has engineered a situation where his silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack, creating a pretext to keep Benjamin as a slave. Judah, speaking on behalf of his brothers, recounts the family's dire circumstances, particularly focusing on their aged father, Jacob, and his intense attachment to his youngest son, Benjamin.

Context

The narrative in Genesis 44:20 is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. After a severe famine grips the land, Jacob's sons travel to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph, now second-in-command to Pharaoh, orchestrates a series of events to test his brothers and bring Benjamin to Egypt. This verse forms part of Judah's eloquent and desperate appeal, highlighting the profound grief Jacob would experience if Benjamin did not return. It sets the stage for Joseph's eventual revelation of his identity and the family's reconciliation, demonstrating a significant transformation in the brothers who once cruelly sold Joseph into slavery. The brothers' present concern for their father's well-being stands in stark contrast to their past disregard for Jacob's pain when they deceived him about Joseph's fate (see Genesis 37:35).

Key Themes

  • A Father's Deep Love and Favoritism: The verse emphasizes Jacob's profound affection for Benjamin, describing him as "a child of his old age" and stating "his father loveth him." This echoes Jacob's earlier favoritism towards Joseph (Genesis 37:3) and underscores the potential for devastating grief if Benjamin were lost, especially since his mother, Rachel, had already died.
  • Family Loyalty and Responsibility: Judah's speech, culminating in his offer to become a slave in Benjamin's stead (Genesis 44:33), demonstrates a remarkable shift in the brothers' character. They are no longer self-serving but display a profound sense of responsibility for their father and youngest brother. This transformation is a key part of the redemption story.
  • Consequences of Past Actions: The brothers' current distress is a direct result of their past sin against Joseph, though they don't yet fully realize it. Their deep concern for Jacob's potential sorrow reflects a newfound empathy and a recognition of their past wrongdoing, as seen in their earlier conversation about their guilt (Genesis 42:21).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "child of his old age" (Hebrew: ben zeqūnim, literally "son of old age") highlights Benjamin's unique status as the youngest son born to Jacob in his later years. This term emphasizes both Benjamin's youth and Jacob's advanced age, intensifying the emotional weight of his potential loss. The verb "loveth" (Hebrew: 'ahav) expresses a deep, personal affection, reinforcing the special bond between Jacob and Benjamin, similar to the affection Jacob had for Joseph.

Practical Application

Genesis 44:20 offers timeless lessons on family dynamics, responsibility, and the consequences of our actions. It reminds us of the profound impact our decisions have on others, especially those we love. The brothers' transformation from callousness to compassion serves as a powerful example of repentance and growth. It encourages us to protect the vulnerable, empathize with the suffering of others, and take responsibility for our roles within our families and communities. Ultimately, this passage beautifully illustrates God's sovereign hand working through complex human relationships and challenging circumstances to bring about reconciliation and fulfill His divine purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 37:3

    Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of [many] colours.

  • 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.

  • Luke 7:12

    Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

  • Genesis 42:13

    And they said, Thy servants [are] twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest [is] this day with our father, and one [is] not.

  • Genesis 42:36

    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.

  • Genesis 37:19

    And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

  • Genesis 49:8

    ¶ Judah, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.
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