Genesis 42:38 - He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 42:38" mean?
This verse, Genesis 42:38, is a powerful expression of Jacob's grief, fear, and protective love for his youngest son, Benjamin. Let's break down what it means:
"He said, 'My son shall not go down with you;'" This is Jacob, the patriarch, speaking to his older sons. They are about to return to Egypt to buy more grain, as a famine is raging. He refuses to allow Benjamin to go with them.
"for his brother is dead, and he only is left." Jacob refers to Joseph, whom he believes to be dead (he was actually sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers). This statement highlights the emotional weight Benjamin carries for Jacob. He is now the only remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. The loss of Joseph was devastating, and Jacob cannot bear the thought of losing another son from that line.
"If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." This is the crux of Jacob's fear.
"Harm happens to him along the way..." He is terrified that something will happen to Benjamin during the journey to Egypt and back. The "way" is a dangerous place, filled with potential perils.
"You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." This is a figurative expression meaning that Benjamin's death would be so devastating that it would hasten Jacob's own death and send him prematurely to "Sheol," which is the Hebrew term for the underworld, the place of the dead. The phrase "bring down my gray hairs" emphasizes the weight of years and experience, and the intense sorrow would accelerate the aging process and lead to his demise. He is saying the grief would literally kill him.
In summary, the verse reveals:
Jacob's deep grief over the presumed loss of Joseph: This shapes his protectiveness towards Benjamin.
Jacob's overprotectiveness of Benjamin: He sees Benjamin as his last connection to his beloved Rachel and fears losing him.
Jacob's vulnerability: He expresses his fear of facing more loss, hinting that Benjamin's death would crush him and hasten his own demise.
The high stakes of the situation: The famine is dire, and they need to buy grain. But for Jacob, the risk to Benjamin outweighs the potential benefit.
The verse sets the stage for the drama that unfolds in the subsequent chapters, as the brothers must eventually persuade Jacob to let Benjamin go to Egypt, leading to the eventual reunion with Joseph. It paints a picture of a grieving father desperately clinging to the one remaining son he has left from his beloved wife.
Genesis 42:38 - He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”
What does "Genesis 42:38" mean?
This verse, Genesis 42:38, is a powerful expression of Jacob's grief, fear, and protective love for his youngest son, Benjamin. Let's break down what it means:
"He said, 'My son shall not go down with you;'" This is Jacob, the patriarch, speaking to his older sons. They are about to return to Egypt to buy more grain, as a famine is raging. He refuses to allow Benjamin to go with them.
"for his brother is dead, and he only is left." Jacob refers to Joseph, whom he believes to be dead (he was actually sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers). This statement highlights the emotional weight Benjamin carries for Jacob. He is now the only remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. The loss of Joseph was devastating, and Jacob cannot bear the thought of losing another son from that line.
"If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." This is the crux of Jacob's fear.
"Harm happens to him along the way..." He is terrified that something will happen to Benjamin during the journey to Egypt and back. The "way" is a dangerous place, filled with potential perils.
"You will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." This is a figurative expression meaning that Benjamin's death would be so devastating that it would hasten Jacob's own death and send him prematurely to "Sheol," which is the Hebrew term for the underworld, the place of the dead. The phrase "bring down my gray hairs" emphasizes the weight of years and experience, and the intense sorrow would accelerate the aging process and lead to his demise. He is saying the grief would literally kill him.
In summary, the verse reveals:
Jacob's deep grief over the presumed loss of Joseph: This shapes his protectiveness towards Benjamin.
Jacob's overprotectiveness of Benjamin: He sees Benjamin as his last connection to his beloved Rachel and fears losing him.
Jacob's vulnerability: He expresses his fear of facing more loss, hinting that Benjamin's death would crush him and hasten his own demise.
The high stakes of the situation: The famine is dire, and they need to buy grain. But for Jacob, the risk to Benjamin outweighs the potential benefit.
The verse sets the stage for the drama that unfolds in the subsequent chapters, as the brothers must eventually persuade Jacob to let Benjamin go to Egypt, leading to the eventual reunion with Joseph. It paints a picture of a grieving father desperately clinging to the one remaining son he has left from his beloved wife.