Genesis 44:28

KJV

And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the one {H259} went out {H3318} from me, and I said {H559}, Surely {H2963} he is torn in pieces {H2963}; and I saw him {H7200} not since {H2008}:

Complete Jewish Bible

the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he has been torn to pieces," and I haven't seen him since.

Berean Standard Bible

When one of them was gone, I said: “Surely he has been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since.

American Standard Version

and the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I have not seen him since:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 44:28 captures the profound and enduring grief of Jacob, articulated by Judah during his impassioned plea to Joseph. This verse encapsulates Jacob’s long-held sorrow over the presumed death of his beloved son, Joseph, a sorrow so deep that it profoundly shaped his attachment to Benjamin, the only other son he had with Rachel. Judah’s recounting of this anguish serves as the emotional apex of his appeal, underscoring the immense personal cost to Jacob if Benjamin were not allowed to return.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Judah’s powerful and desperate appeal to the Egyptian governor (Joseph) on behalf of Benjamin and their father, Jacob. Following the discovery of Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s sack, Benjamin is condemned to slavery. Judah, stepping forward as the spokesman for his brothers, recounts the entire family saga, emphasizing Jacob’s deep love for Benjamin and the patriarch’s already shattered heart due to the presumed loss of Joseph. Judah’s speech, which spans [Genesis 44:18-34](/genesis/44-18-34 "Judah's Plea to Joseph"), is a masterpiece of rhetoric, designed to evoke sympathy and mercy, culminating in his offer to become a slave in Benjamin’s place. Verse 28 specifically cites Jacob's own words, giving Judah's plea immense emotional weight and authenticity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, the well-being and continuation of the family line were paramount. The loss of a son, especially a beloved one, was a devastating blow, threatening the family's future and the patriarch's legacy. Jacob's particular attachment to Joseph and Benjamin, as sons of his favored wife Rachel, intensified his grief. The practice of brothers selling a sibling into slavery, though abhorrent, was not unheard of in the ancient world, as evidenced by other texts from the period. The common threat of wild animals also made the idea of a son being "torn in pieces" a plausible and terrifying scenario, easily accepted by Jacob given the deceptive evidence presented by his sons.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 44:28 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights the **profound depth of Jacob's paternal love and grief**, a recurring motif throughout his life, particularly concerning his sons by Rachel. The verse also underscores the **long-term consequences of sin and deception**, as Jacob's two decades of sorrow are a direct result of his sons' malicious actions in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "The Story of Joseph's Betrayal"). Furthermore, it intensifies the **dramatic irony** that permeates the Joseph story, as the very "lost" son over whom Jacob mourns is now the powerful figure before whom Judah pleads, demonstrating God's hidden providence at work, turning evil intentions into ultimate good, a theme powerfully articulated later in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Good Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ʼechâd (Hebrew, _ʼechâd'_):** Translated as "the one" in this verse, this word (H259) fundamentally means "one" or "united." Here, it refers to Joseph, Jacob's beloved son. The use of "the one" rather than Joseph's name subtly conveys Jacob's deep personal connection and the singular, irreplaceable nature of this son in his heart. It emphasizes the unique bond and the profound void left by his absence.
* **ṭâraph (Hebrew, _ṭâraph'_):** Rendered "torn in pieces" (H2963), this primitive root means "to pluck off or pull to pieces," often referring to a wild animal rending its prey. The KJV's "Surely he is torn in pieces" utilizes a passive construction, conveying the horrific certainty of Jacob's conviction. The Hebrew original uses a reduplication of the verb (*ṭārop ṭorap*), an intensive construction that emphasizes the absolute and violent destruction, not just a tearing, but being utterly and completely devoured. This linguistic choice underscores the visceral horror and finality of Jacob's belief.
* **hênnâh (Hebrew, _hênnâh'_):** Translated as "not since" (H2008), this word indicates a point in time, "hither" or "thither," but used here to denote "since" a particular event. It highlights the prolonged duration of Jacob's grief, emphasizing that from the moment Joseph "went out" and was presumed dead, Jacob had not seen him again. This small word powerfully conveys the two decades of unceasing sorrow and the deep, persistent void in Jacob's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the one went out from me":** This clause refers to Joseph, whom Jacob had sent from his presence to check on his brothers in Dothan. The phrase "went out from me" carries the weight of Jacob's last memory of Joseph being alive and under his direct care, before the devastating news arrived. It implies a departure that led to an irreversible separation in Jacob's mind.
* **"and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces":** This reveals Jacob's immediate and visceral conclusion upon receiving the blood-stained coat. The conviction was absolute, fueled by the deceptive evidence presented by his sons. The Hebrew idiom for "torn in pieces" (reduplication of *ṭâraph*) conveys the certainty and violence of the imagined event, signifying not merely an injury but a complete and brutal annihilation by a wild beast.
* **"and I saw him not since":** This concluding phrase powerfully underscores the prolonged nature of Jacob's grief. For over twenty years, Jacob lived with the agonizing belief that his beloved son was dead, a period marked by constant sorrow and a deep void in his life. It highlights the enduring impact of the deception and the immense emotional toll it took on the patriarch.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Pathos** is central, as Judah's recounting of Jacob's lament is designed to evoke profound pity and sorrow from Joseph, highlighting the depth of the patriarch's suffering. The phrase "torn in pieces" uses **hyperbole** to convey the absolute conviction and horror Jacob felt, even though Joseph was not actually killed by an animal. The use of the intensive Hebrew construction for "torn in pieces" (reduplication of *ṭâraph*) is a form of **emphasis** or **intensification**, stressing the finality and brutality of the presumed event. Most significantly, the entire scene is steeped in **dramatic irony**, as the audience knows that Joseph, the "lost" son, is the very one hearing this lament, a powerful testament to God's hidden hand working behind the scenes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 44:28 powerfully illustrates the depth of human suffering caused by deception and loss, yet it simultaneously points to the underlying divine providence. Jacob's profound and enduring grief over Joseph's presumed death highlights the intensity of paternal love and the devastating impact of sin within a family. This sorrow, though based on a lie, was real and debilitating for two decades, demonstrating how human actions, even malicious ones, can set in motion long chains of suffering. However, the dramatic irony of the scene—Jacob mourning a son who is not only alive but exalted—foreshadows God's ability to redeem and transform even the most painful circumstances for His greater purposes, ultimately bringing about reconciliation and salvation.

* [Genesis 37:33-35](/genesis/37-33-35 "Jacob's Initial Grief Over Joseph")
* [Genesis 42:36](/genesis/42-36 "Jacob's Despair Over Losing Benjamin")
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Affirmation of God's Redemptive Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's long years of mourning, based on a false premise, offer several profound lessons for believers. It reminds us of the deep pain that can result from deception, not only for the deceived but also for the deceivers who carry the burden of their actions. It highlights the enduring power of parental love and the human tendency to dwell on perceived losses, sometimes for decades, allowing sorrow to define our present. More profoundly, this story encourages us to cultivate trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem dire, hopeless, or beyond our comprehension. Just as Jacob was eventually reunited with Joseph, experiencing an unexpected restoration of joy after long years of sorrow ([Genesis 45:28](/genesis/45-28 "Jacob Learns Joseph is Alive")), we are reminded that God can bring about surprising and glorious outcomes, even from the ashes of our deepest pains and misunderstandings. Our limited perspective often blinds us to God's larger, redemptive narrative at work in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our perceived losses or unfulfilled expectations sometimes prevent us from seeing God's ongoing work in our lives?**
* **What role does trust in God's sovereignty play when we face situations that seem hopeless or beyond repair?**
* **In what ways might our own deceptions or the deceptions of others cause long-term pain, and how can we seek reconciliation and healing?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jacob believe Joseph was "torn in pieces"?**

Answer: Jacob's sons, out of jealousy and malice, sold Joseph into slavery. To cover their tracks and deceive their father, they dipped Joseph's distinctive coat in animal blood. They then presented this blood-stained coat to Jacob, leading him to conclude that a wild animal had attacked and killed Joseph, tearing him apart. This deception is detailed in [Genesis 37:31-33](/genesis/37-31-33 "The Brothers Deceive Jacob").

**How long did Jacob mourn Joseph's presumed death?**

Answer: Jacob mourned Joseph for over two decades. Joseph was seventeen when he was sold into slavery ([Genesis 37:2](/genesis/37-2 "Joseph's Age When Sold into Slavery")). He was thirty when he stood before Pharaoh ([Genesis 41:46](/genesis/41-46 "Joseph's Age When He Stood Before Pharaoh")) and began to govern Egypt. The famine lasted seven years, and it was during the second year of the famine that Jacob and his family came to Egypt. This means at least 22 years had passed since Joseph's disappearance before Jacob learned the truth.

**What is the significance of Judah recounting Jacob's grief to Joseph?**

Answer: Judah's detailed recounting of Jacob's profound grief and his deep attachment to Benjamin was a desperate and powerful plea, a climactic moment in his masterful speech. He aimed to evoke sympathy and mercy from the powerful Egyptian governor (who was, unbeknownst to him, Joseph himself) by demonstrating the immense and potentially fatal impact the loss of Benjamin would have on their aged father. By highlighting the unique bond Jacob shared with his youngest sons by Rachel, Judah underscored the irreparable damage Benjamin's enslavement would cause, ultimately moving Joseph to reveal his true identity, as recorded in [Genesis 45:1-3](/genesis/45-1-3 "Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, and particularly Jacob's profound grief over his presumed death, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. Jacob's lament over his "lost" son, who was in fact alive and exalted, mirrors the sorrow and despair of the disciples and followers of Jesus after His crucifixion, when they believed all hope was lost ([Luke 24:21](/luke/24-21 "The Disciples' Despair After Jesus' Death")). Yet, just as Joseph was raised from a pit and slavery to a position of immense power in Egypt, becoming the savior of his family and providing sustenance and reconciliation, so too was Christ raised from the dead, exalted to the right hand of God ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Jesus Exalted to God's Right Hand")), and became the ultimate Savior who provides spiritual sustenance and reconciliation for all humanity ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "God Reconciling the World Through Christ")). Joseph's suffering at the hands of his brothers, leading to his eventual glory and the salvation of his family from famine, typifies Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, which brought about the salvation of God's people and the defeat of sin and death ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). The reunion of Jacob with Joseph, a moment of profound joy after long sorrow ([Genesis 45:28](/genesis/45-28 "Jacob's Joy at Joseph Being Alive")), points to the ultimate reunion of believers with Christ in glory, where all tears will be wiped away and all things made new ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "God Wipes Away Every Tear")).

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 37:33

And he knew it, and said, [It is] my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

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 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 37:13

And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed [the flock] in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here [am I].

Genesis 37:14

And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.