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.

And he said {H559}, My son {H1121} shall not go down {H3381} with you; for his brother {H251} is dead {H4191}, and he is left {H7604} alone: if mischief {H611} befall {H7122} him by the way {H1870} in the which ye go {H3212}, then shall ye bring down {H3381} my gray hairs {H7872} with sorrow {H3015} to the grave {H7585}.

But he replied, "My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead, and he alone is left. If anything were to happen to him while traveling with you, you would bring my gray hair down to Sh'ol with grief."

But Jacob replied, β€œMy son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

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

Commentary

Context

Genesis 42:38 captures the profound anguish of Jacob (also known as Israel) as he vehemently resists sending his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt. His other ten sons have returned from their first trip to buy grain, bringing news that the powerful Egyptian governor (unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph) demanded Benjamin be brought before them to prove their honesty and secure the release of Simeon, who was held captive. Jacob, still grieving the presumed death of Joseph, his beloved son from Rachel (see Genesis 37:3), views Benjamin as his last remaining connection to Rachel and fears losing him would be unbearable. The devastating famine gripping the land (Genesis 41:56) forced his sons to seek sustenance, leading to this desperate demand.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Parental Grief and Fear: Jacob's words vividly express the deep sorrow of a father who believes he has already lost one cherished son and cannot bear the thought of losing another. His reluctance highlights the intense emotional bond within the patriarchal family, especially his favoritism for Rachel's children.
  • Desperation in Adversity: The verse underscores the extreme measures people took during times of severe famine, even when it meant facing immense personal risk and emotional distress. Jacob's family was on the brink of starvation, forcing him to confront an agonizing decision.
  • Unseen Providence: Ironically, Jacob's despair is rooted in a misunderstanding; Joseph is alive and is the very governor demanding Benjamin. This situation foreshadows the dramatic revelation and reunion that God is orchestrating, demonstrating God's sovereign plan working even through human suffering and misperception (Genesis 50:20).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave" is a poignant Hebrew idiom expressing extreme grief and despair that would hasten death. "Gray hairs" (Χ©Φ΅Χ‚Χ™Χ‘ΦΈΧ”, seyvah) symbolizes old age and the wisdom or dignity associated with it, but here it emphasizes the profound, life-ending sorrow Jacob anticipates. It's a powerful declaration of how deeply affected he would be by Benjamin's loss, feeling it would literally shorten his days and lead him to an early demise due to heartache.

Practical Application

Genesis 42:38 offers timeless insights into the human experience of suffering, loss, and the anxieties of parenthood. It reminds us:

  • The Depth of Parental Love: It illustrates the profound love and protective instincts parents have for their children, and the agony experienced when their children are in danger or presumed lost. This parental bond is a powerful force.
  • Trust in the Unseen: Jacob's story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, even in our deepest moments of despair and confusion, God is working behind the scenes for our good and for the fulfillment of His purposes. What seems like tragedy or impossible demands may be part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan, as was the case with Joseph's elevation in Egypt.
  • Patience Through Trials: Jacob had to eventually yield to the necessity of sending Benjamin, demonstrating the difficult choices often required in times of crisis. His eventual reunion with Joseph and Benjamin highlights the ultimate restoration that can come after prolonged suffering and separation.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 37:35 (7 votes)

    And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

  • Genesis 42:4 (5 votes)

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

  • Genesis 37:33 (5 votes)

    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 42:13 (4 votes)

    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 35:16 (3 votes)

    ΒΆ 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 35:18 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.

  • Genesis 44:20 (2 votes)

    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.