Genesis 44:26 - We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’
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What does "Genesis 44:26" mean?
This verse is a crucial piece of the Joseph story in Genesis. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: This verse is part of a conversation Judah is having with Joseph (whom they don't yet recognize) in Egypt. Joseph, disguised as a powerful Egyptian official, is testing his brothers. He had previously demanded that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, with them to prove they were not spies.
"We can't go down..." The brothers are explaining why they initially hesitated to return to Egypt. They were reluctant to make the journey again, especially if it meant bringing Benjamin.
"...If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down..." This shows the brothers' fear and concern for their father, Jacob. They understand that Jacob is deeply attached to Benjamin and would be devastated if anything happened to him. They're saying they can only go back if Benjamin accompanies them, implying Jacob's strong condition.
"...for we may not see the man's face, unless our youngest brother is with us." This highlights Joseph's condition for seeing them again. He insisted on Benjamin's presence. The "man" they refer to is Joseph, though they are unaware of his true identity. This shows the brothers acknowledging the Egyptian official's demand.
In essence, the verse means:
The brothers were hesitant to return to Egypt because they knew their father, Jacob, was deeply attached to their youngest brother, Benjamin. They explained to Joseph that they could only return to Egypt if Benjamin accompanied them because they knew that the Egyptian official (Joseph) would not see them again unless Benjamin was with them. This demonstrates the brothers' concern for their father's well-being and the importance of Benjamin to Jacob.
This verse is important because it sets up the critical events that follow:
Judah's willingness to plead for Benjamin's life and offer himself as a substitute.
Joseph's emotional revelation of his true identity to his brothers, triggered by Judah's display of loyalty and compassion.
It reveals the brothers' changed character (compared to when they sold Joseph into slavery) and sets the stage for reconciliation and the eventual move of Jacob's family to Egypt.
Genesis 44:26 - We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’
What does "Genesis 44:26" mean?
This verse is a crucial piece of the Joseph story in Genesis. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
Context: This verse is part of a conversation Judah is having with Joseph (whom they don't yet recognize) in Egypt. Joseph, disguised as a powerful Egyptian official, is testing his brothers. He had previously demanded that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, with them to prove they were not spies.
"We can't go down..." The brothers are explaining why they initially hesitated to return to Egypt. They were reluctant to make the journey again, especially if it meant bringing Benjamin.
"...If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down..." This shows the brothers' fear and concern for their father, Jacob. They understand that Jacob is deeply attached to Benjamin and would be devastated if anything happened to him. They're saying they can only go back if Benjamin accompanies them, implying Jacob's strong condition.
"...for we may not see the man's face, unless our youngest brother is with us." This highlights Joseph's condition for seeing them again. He insisted on Benjamin's presence. The "man" they refer to is Joseph, though they are unaware of his true identity. This shows the brothers acknowledging the Egyptian official's demand.
In essence, the verse means:
The brothers were hesitant to return to Egypt because they knew their father, Jacob, was deeply attached to their youngest brother, Benjamin. They explained to Joseph that they could only return to Egypt if Benjamin accompanied them because they knew that the Egyptian official (Joseph) would not see them again unless Benjamin was with them. This demonstrates the brothers' concern for their father's well-being and the importance of Benjamin to Jacob.
This verse is important because it sets up the critical events that follow:
Judah's willingness to plead for Benjamin's life and offer himself as a substitute.
Joseph's emotional revelation of his true identity to his brothers, triggered by Judah's display of loyalty and compassion.
It reveals the brothers' changed character (compared to when they sold Joseph into slavery) and sets the stage for reconciliation and the eventual move of Jacob's family to Egypt.