Genesis 43:14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.

And God {H410} Almighty {H7706} give {H5414} you mercy {H7356} before {H6440} the man {H376}, that he may send away {H7971} your other {H312} brother {H251}, and Benjamin {H1144}. If {H834} I be bereaved {H7921} of my children, I am bereaved {H7921}.

May El Shaddai give you favor in the man's sight, so that he will release to you your other brother as well as Binyamin. As for me, if I must lose my children, lose them I will."

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.โ€

and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Commentary

Genesis 43:14 captures the poignant and resigned prayer of Jacob as his sons prepare for a second, perilous journey to Egypt, compelled to bring his youngest son, Benjamin, with them. This verse reflects Jacob's deep sorrow and his ultimate surrender to God's will, even in the face of what he perceives as inevitable tragedy.

Context

The family of Jacob was facing a severe famine, forcing his sons to go to Egypt for food. On their first trip, the Egyptian governor (unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph) accused them of being spies and demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty, holding Simeon as a hostage (Genesis 42:20). Jacob initially refused, having already mourned the presumed death of Joseph and fearing the loss of Benjamin, Rachel's only other son. However, as the famine worsened and their provisions ran out, Judah persuaded Jacob to relent, guaranteeing Benjamin's safety. In this verse, Jacob, having exhausted all other options and filled with dread, offers a desperate prayer for mercy before sending his sons back.

Key Themes

  • Parental Grief and Resignation: Jacob's words, "If I be bereaved, I am bereaved," express a profound, almost fatalistic, acceptance of potential loss. This echoes his earlier inconsolable grief over Joseph. He is surrendering Benjamin, his last child by Rachel, to an uncertain fate, anticipating the worst.
  • Divine Mercy and Sovereignty: Despite his despair, Jacob turns to "God Almighty" for mercy. This highlights his enduring, though sometimes wavering, faith in God's ultimate control. Even when circumstances seem dire, Jacob acknowledges a higher power at work. The entire narrative of Joseph's rise in Egypt and the family's eventual reunion powerfully illustrates God's providential hand guiding events for good.
  • The Power of Prayer: Faced with an impossible situation, Jacob's only recourse is to pray for divine intervention, asking God to grant his sons favor "before the man" (Joseph).

Linguistic Insights

The title "God Almighty" translates the Hebrew phrase El Shaddai (ืึตืœ ืฉึทืื“ึทึผื™). This name for God emphasizes His omnipotence, self-sufficiency, and ability to fulfill His promises, often in the face of human weakness or impossibility. It is a name Jacob would have known from his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. The phrase "If I be bereaved, I am bereaved" is a Hebrew idiom expressing utter and complete acceptance of an inevitable, painful outcome. It signifies a deep surrender to fate, acknowledging that all human efforts have failed and the situation is now in God's hands, for better or worse.

Practical Application

Jacob's prayer and resignation offer a powerful lesson for believers today. In moments of profound uncertainty, fear, or when circumstances seem beyond our control, we are called to:

  • Acknowledge God's Sovereignty: Even when we cannot see the way forward or understand God's plan, we can trust that He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28).
  • Surrender to His Will: Like Jacob, there are times we must release our grip on outcomes and commit them to God, even if it means facing potential pain. This act of surrender, though difficult, can lead to peace and a deeper reliance on Him.
  • Persist in Prayer: Despite his despair, Jacob prayed. This reminds us that prayer is our most powerful recourse, even when the situation seems hopeless.

Ultimately, Genesis 43:14 is a testament to human vulnerability and the enduring hope, however faint, in divine mercy and providence, even amidst deep sorrow.

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

Cross-References

  • Esther 4:16 (8 votes)

    Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

  • Genesis 17:1 (6 votes)

    ยถ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

  • Acts 21:14 (5 votes)

    And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

  • Nehemiah 1:11 (5 votes)

    O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

  • Psalms 100:5 (4 votes)

    For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations.

  • Genesis 22:14 (4 votes)

    And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

  • Proverbs 16:7 (4 votes)

    ยถ When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.