Genesis 43:10 - for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”

Generated Verse: Genesis 43:10

What does "Genesis 43:10" mean?


This verse, "for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now,” from Genesis 43:10, is spoken by Judah to Jacob (his father). It essentially means:

Had we not hesitated and taken so long to prepare for the trip, we would have already been back in Egypt to buy more food and returned to you (Jacob) a second time.

Here's a breakdown:

"If we hadn’t delayed...": Judah is acknowledging that there was a reason for the delay. The delay likely stemmed from Jacob's initial reluctance to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt. Jacob was grieving the loss of Joseph and didn't want to risk losing another son.

"...surely we would have returned a second time by now": Judah is emphasizing the urgency of the situation. They are running out of food, and their delay has prevented them from replenishing their supplies sooner. The implication is that the situation is dire and they need to act quickly.

In essence, Judah is trying to convince his father, Jacob, of the necessity of sending Benjamin to Egypt. He's highlighting the consequences of their previous hesitation and underscoring the urgency of their present need. By stating that they could have returned a second time, Judah is demonstrating the potential benefits of agreeing to another trip.

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