TRV
Translation
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 1,350 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Genesis 44 verses 18–34
18 ¶ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
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.
21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.
27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
30 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;
31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
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.
We have here a most ingenious and pathetic speech which Judah made to Joseph on Benjamin's behalf, to obtain his discharge from the sentence passed upon him. Perhaps Judah was a better friend to Benjamin than the rest were, and more solicitous to bring him off; or he thought himself under greater obligations to attempt it than the rest, because he had passed his word to his father for his safe return; or the rest chose him for their spokesman, because he was a man of better sense, and better spirit, and had a greater command of language than any of them. His address, as it is here recorded, is so very natural and so expressive of his present feelings that we cannot but suppose Moses, who wrote it so long after, to have written it under the special direction of him that made man's mouth.
I. A great deal of unaffected art, and unstudied unforced rhetoric, there is in this speech. 1. He addresses himself to Joseph with a great deal of respect and deference, calls him his lord, himself and his brethren his servants, begs his patient hearing, and ascribes sovereign authority to him: "Thou art even as Pharaoh, one whose favour we desire and whose wrath we dread as we do Pharaoh's." Religion does not destroy good manners, and it is prudence to speak respectfully to those at whose mercy we lie: titles of honour to those that are entitled to them are not flattering titles. 2. He represented Benjamin as one well worthy of his compassionate consideration (Gen 44:20); he was a little one, compared with the rest of them; the youngest, not acquainted with the world, nor ever inured to hardship, having always been brought up tenderly with his father. It made the case the more pitiable that he alone was left of his mother, and his brother was dead, namely, Joseph. Little did Judah think what a tender point he touched upon now. Judah knew that Joseph was sold, and therefore had reason enough to think that he was alive; at least he could not be sure that he was dead: but they had made their father believe he was dead; and now they had told that lie so long that they had forgotten the truth, and begun to believe the lie themselves. 3. He urged it very closely that Joseph had himself constrained them to bring Benjamin with them, had expressed a desire to see him (Gen 44:21), and had forbidden them his presence unless they brought Benjamin with them (Gen 44:23, Gen 44:26), all which intimated that he designed him some kindness; and must he be brought with so much difficulty to the preferment of a perpetual slavery? Was he not brought to Egypt, in obedience, purely in obedience, to the command of Joseph? and would he not show him some mercy? Some observe that Jacob's sons, in reasoning with their father, had said, We will not go down unless Benjamin go with us (Gen 43:5); but that when Judah comes to relate the story he expresses it more decently: "We cannot go down with any expectation to speed well." Indecent words spoken in haste to our superiors should be recalled and amended. 4. The great argument he insisted upon was the insupportable grief it would be to his aged father if Benjamin should be left behind in servitude: His father loveth him, Gen 44:20. This they had pleaded against Joseph's insisting on his coming down (Gen 44:22): "If he should leave his father, his father would die; much more if now he be left behind, never more to return to him." This the old man, of whom they spoke, had pleaded against his going down: If mischief befal him, you shall bring down my gray hairs, that crown of glory, with sorrow to the grave, Gen 44:29. This therefore Judah presses with a great deal of earnestness: "His life is bound up in the lad's life (Gen 44:30); when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will faint away, and die immediately (Gen 44:31), or will abandon himself to such a degree of sorrow as will, in a few days, make an end of him." And, lastly, Judah pleads that, for his part, he could not bear to see this: Let me not see the evil that shall come on my father, Gen 44:34. Note, It is the duty of children to be very tender of their parents' comfort, and to be afraid of every thing that may be an occasion of grief to them. Thus the love that descended first must again ascend, and something must be done towards a recompense for their care. 5. Judah, in honour to the justice of Joseph's sentence, and to show his sincerity in this plea, offers himself to become a bondsman instead of Benjamin, Gen 44:33. Thus the law would be satisfied; Joseph would be no loser (for we may suppose Judah a more able-bodied man than Benjamin, and fitter for service); and Jacob would better bear the loss of him than of Benjamin. Now, so far was he from grieving at his father's particular fondness for Benjamin, that he was himself willing to be a bondman to indulge it.
Now, had Joseph been, as Judah supposed him, an utter stranger to the family, yet even common humanity could not but be wrought upon by such powerful reasonings as these; for nothing could be said more moving, more tender; it was enough to melt a heart of stone. But to Joseph, who was nearer akin to Benjamin than Judah himself was, and who, at this time, felt a greater affection both for him and his aged father than Judah did, nothing could be more pleasingly nor more happily said. Neither Jacob nor Benjamin needed an intercessor with Joseph; for he himself loved them.
II. Upon the whole matter let us take notice, 1. How prudently Judah suppressed all mention of the crime that was charged upon Benjamin. Had he said any thing by way of acknowledgment of it, he would have reflected on Benjamin's honesty, and seemed too forward to suspect that; had he said any thing by way of denial of it, he would have reflected on Joseph's justice, and the sentence he had passed: therefore he wholly waives that head, and appeals to Joseph's pity. Compare with this that of Job, in humbling himself before God (Job 9:15), Though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would not argue, but petition; I would make supplication to my Judge. 2. What good reason dying Jacob had to say, Judah, thou art he whom they brethren shall praise (Gen 49:8), for he excelled them all in boldness, wisdom, eloquence, and especially tenderness for their father and family. 3. Judah's faithful adherence to Benjamin, now in his distress, was recompensed long after by the constant adherence of the tribe of Benjamin to the tribe of Judah, when all the other ten tribes deserted it. 4. How fitly does the apostle, when he is discoursing of the mediation of Christ, observe, that our Lord sprang out of Judah (Heb 7:14); for, like his father Judah, he not only made intercession for the transgressors, but he became a surety for them, as it follows there (Gen 44:22), testifying therein a very tender concern both for his father and for his brethren.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 18–34. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Genesis 44:25 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Genesis 44:25 captures Jacob's poignant directive to his sons to undertake yet another perilous journey to Egypt for provisions. Recounted by Judah as a plea to Joseph, this seemingly simple command underscores the relentless grip of the severe famine on the patriarchal family, highlighting their desperate need for survival. Unbeknownst to them, this instruction serves as a crucial, divinely orchestrated step, drawing them deeper into God's intricate plan for their preservation and the eventual fulfillment of His covenant promises.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Irony and Foreshadowing. The profound irony lies in Jacob's desperate command, born of necessity and fear, unknowingly propelling his family directly into the heart of God's redemptive plan. The "little food" they seek from Egypt is provided by Joseph, the very son Jacob mourned as dead, and this act of seeking sustenance ultimately leads to the preservation of the entire covenant family. This seemingly mundane request for food thus becomes a pivotal moment in the divine narrative. Furthermore, the physical provision of "food" by Joseph foreshadows the ultimate spiritual provision of life through Christ. The dependence on Joseph for physical bread points to humanity's deeper need for the "Bread of Life."
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, seemingly simple, profoundly illustrates God's active sovereignty weaving through human desperation. Jacob's family is driven by the immediate, existential threat of famine, yet their actions are precisely the means through which God orchestrates the preservation of the nascent nation of Israel and the fulfillment of His covenant promises. It demonstrates that God's grand design is not thwarted by human suffering or difficult choices, but rather often unfolds precisely through them. The desperate need for food is the divine catalyst that brings Jacob's entire household to Egypt, a crucial preparatory step before their eventual exodus as a great nation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 44:25 offers a powerful reminder that even in our most desperate moments, when we are driven by overwhelming necessity and fear, God's sovereign hand is at work. Like Jacob, we often find ourselves in situations where we must make difficult choices, not fully understanding the broader implications or how God might be using our circumstances. This verse encourages us to trust that God can take our mundane actions, our anxieties, and even our deepest fears, and weave them into His perfect, redemptive plan. It calls us to persevere in faith, even when the path forward is unclear or painful, knowing that our immediate needs, whether physical or spiritual, are often part of a larger divine purpose. Furthermore, it highlights the profound responsibility of leadership, whether in a family, community, or church, to diligently provide for and care for those entrusted to us, even when such care demands personal sacrifice or difficult choices.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jacob insist on sending Benjamin, despite his earlier reluctance?
Answer: Jacob's initial reluctance to send Benjamin was profound and deeply rooted in his grief and fear of further loss, especially after the presumed death of Joseph (Genesis 42:36-38). However, the severity and prolonged nature of the famine left him with no alternative. Their existing provisions were depleted, and the Egyptian viceroy (Joseph) had explicitly stated they would not see his face again without Benjamin. Jacob's command, "Go again, and buy us a little food," was a desperate act of necessity, prioritizing the very survival of his entire household over his personal sorrow and apprehension. It was a choice born of overwhelming need, demonstrating the dire straits they were in.
What is the significance of Jacob asking for "a little food" instead of a large quantity?
Answer: The request for "a little food" (Hebrew: mᵉʻaṭ ʼôkel) is highly significant. It underscores the extreme scarcity and the family's dire, hand-to-mouth existence. It highlights their immediate, desperate need for mere sustenance rather than abundance or long-term provision. This detail vividly portrays the intensity of the famine and the precariousness of their situation, illustrating that they were living day-to-day, focused solely on immediate survival. It also subtly emphasizes their complete dependence on Joseph's provision, reinforcing the narrative's focus on God's sovereign control over their circumstances.
How does this verse demonstrate God's providence?
Answer: This verse, seemingly a simple request for food, is a crucial link in God's providential plan. Unbeknownst to Jacob and his sons, their repeated journeys to Egypt and the conditions imposed by Joseph were divinely orchestrated. God used the famine and Jacob's desperate command to bring the entire family to Egypt, where they would be preserved and grow into a nation, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). It powerfully illustrates that even in human desperation and seemingly ordinary actions, God is actively working behind the scenes to accomplish His ultimate, redemptive purposes, turning human necessity into a pathway for divine fulfillment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 44:25, with its focus on physical sustenance and the preservation of a family line, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate spiritual provision found in Jesus Christ. Joseph, who provides the "little food" that saves his family from death, serves as a profound type of Christ. Like Joseph, Christ was rejected by His own people (John 1:11), suffered unjustly (Isaiah 53:3-5), and was exalted to a position of supreme authority (Philippians 2:9-11). Ultimately, He became the source of life and salvation for all who come to Him. Just as Jacob's family was compelled by physical hunger to seek sustenance from Joseph, humanity is ultimately driven by a deep spiritual hunger to seek the true "Bread of Life," Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). This verse, therefore, is a testament to God's meticulous preservation of the lineage through which the Messiah would come, ensuring that the physical provision in Egypt ultimately pointed to the eternal spiritual provision found in Christ, the ultimate sustainer of life.