Genesis 42:4 - But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”
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What does "Genesis 42:4" mean?
This verse explains Jacob's decision to keep his youngest son, Benjamin, at home when his other sons went to Egypt to buy grain. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers": This states the direct fact. Benjamin did not accompany his older brothers on their trip to Egypt.
"Joseph's brother": This emphasizes Benjamin's special connection to Joseph. They were the only two sons of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel.
"for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”": This reveals Jacob's reason for keeping Benjamin home. He feared something bad might happen to Benjamin.
Why was Jacob so protective of Benjamin?
Loss of Joseph: Jacob already believed his favorite son, Joseph, was dead (though Joseph was very much alive and thriving in Egypt). The loss of Joseph had devastated Jacob.
Benjamin's Special Status: Benjamin was the only remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. Losing him would be another crushing blow.
Age and Vulnerability: Benjamin was likely still quite young. Jacob may have seen him as more vulnerable than his older, more experienced sons.
In essence, the verse highlights Jacob's deep grief and his extreme protectiveness of Benjamin, stemming from the perceived loss of Joseph and Benjamin being his only remaining son from Rachel. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another son he held so dear.
Genesis 42:4 - But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”
What does "Genesis 42:4" mean?
This verse explains Jacob's decision to keep his youngest son, Benjamin, at home when his other sons went to Egypt to buy grain. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers": This states the direct fact. Benjamin did not accompany his older brothers on their trip to Egypt.
"Joseph's brother": This emphasizes Benjamin's special connection to Joseph. They were the only two sons of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel.
"for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”": This reveals Jacob's reason for keeping Benjamin home. He feared something bad might happen to Benjamin.
Why was Jacob so protective of Benjamin?
Loss of Joseph: Jacob already believed his favorite son, Joseph, was dead (though Joseph was very much alive and thriving in Egypt). The loss of Joseph had devastated Jacob.
Benjamin's Special Status: Benjamin was the only remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. Losing him would be another crushing blow.
Age and Vulnerability: Benjamin was likely still quite young. Jacob may have seen him as more vulnerable than his older, more experienced sons.
In essence, the verse highlights Jacob's deep grief and his extreme protectiveness of Benjamin, stemming from the perceived loss of Joseph and Benjamin being his only remaining son from Rachel. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another son he held so dear.