Genesis 42:37 - Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.”
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What does "Genesis 42:37" mean?
This verse from Genesis 42:37 is a dramatic and desperate pledge made by Reuben to his father Jacob in an attempt to persuade Jacob to let Benjamin, the youngest son, go to Egypt with his brothers. Let's break down what it means:
The Context: Jacob's sons, including all except Benjamin, went to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. In Egypt, they encountered Joseph, who they didn't recognize (he was the brother they sold into slavery years prior). Joseph, testing them, demanded that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove they were not spies. Jacob was devastated at the prospect of losing Benjamin, as he already believed Joseph was dead and Benjamin was Rachel's other son.
"Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you." This is the core of the statement. Reuben is offering the lives of his own children (his two sons) as a guarantee that he will return Benjamin safely to Jacob. This is a weighty and shocking promise. It was common for oaths to involve sacrificing valued possesions.
"Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.” Reuben is pleading with Jacob to place Benjamin in his custody and promises, with this horrifying guarantee, to return him unharmed.
Meaning and Interpretation:
Desperation: Reuben's offer highlights the extreme desperation of the situation and his eagerness to regain his father's trust. He likely felt responsible for Joseph's disappearance many years prior, and was trying to be a stand-up guy.
Value of Family: It underscores the importance of family in that time. By offering his own children's lives, Reuben demonstrated the value he placed on Jacob's well-being and Benjamin's safety.
Reuben's Diminished Status: Some biblical scholars believe that Reuben's actions in the past (particularly Genesis 35:22) had diminished his standing in the family. This extravagant promise could be seen as an attempt to prove his reliability and loyalty to his father.
An Unwise Pledge: While Reuben's intentions might have been good, the pledge itself is considered foolish and rash. Jacob wisely rejects Reuben's offer, recognizing the absurdity and unacceptability of sacrificing innocent lives.
In short, the verse shows Reuben's desperate attempt to convince his father Jacob to let Benjamin go to Egypt by offering an unbelievable and unacceptable guarantee: the lives of his own children. It reveals the complexity of family relationships, the weight of past actions, and the importance of trust within the family during a time of crisis.
Genesis 42:37 - Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.”
What does "Genesis 42:37" mean?
This verse from Genesis 42:37 is a dramatic and desperate pledge made by Reuben to his father Jacob in an attempt to persuade Jacob to let Benjamin, the youngest son, go to Egypt with his brothers. Let's break down what it means:
The Context: Jacob's sons, including all except Benjamin, went to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. In Egypt, they encountered Joseph, who they didn't recognize (he was the brother they sold into slavery years prior). Joseph, testing them, demanded that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove they were not spies. Jacob was devastated at the prospect of losing Benjamin, as he already believed Joseph was dead and Benjamin was Rachel's other son.
"Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you." This is the core of the statement. Reuben is offering the lives of his own children (his two sons) as a guarantee that he will return Benjamin safely to Jacob. This is a weighty and shocking promise. It was common for oaths to involve sacrificing valued possesions.
"Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.” Reuben is pleading with Jacob to place Benjamin in his custody and promises, with this horrifying guarantee, to return him unharmed.
Meaning and Interpretation:
Desperation: Reuben's offer highlights the extreme desperation of the situation and his eagerness to regain his father's trust. He likely felt responsible for Joseph's disappearance many years prior, and was trying to be a stand-up guy.
Value of Family: It underscores the importance of family in that time. By offering his own children's lives, Reuben demonstrated the value he placed on Jacob's well-being and Benjamin's safety.
Reuben's Diminished Status: Some biblical scholars believe that Reuben's actions in the past (particularly Genesis 35:22) had diminished his standing in the family. This extravagant promise could be seen as an attempt to prove his reliability and loyalty to his father.
An Unwise Pledge: While Reuben's intentions might have been good, the pledge itself is considered foolish and rash. Jacob wisely rejects Reuben's offer, recognizing the absurdity and unacceptability of sacrificing innocent lives.
In short, the verse shows Reuben's desperate attempt to convince his father Jacob to let Benjamin go to Egypt by offering an unbelievable and unacceptable guarantee: the lives of his own children. It reveals the complexity of family relationships, the weight of past actions, and the importance of trust within the family during a time of crisis.