Genesis 42:20 kjv
But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
Genesis 42:20 nkjv
And bring your young est brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
Genesis 42:20 niv
But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die." This they proceeded to do.
Genesis 42:20 esv
and bring your youngest brother to me. So your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
Genesis 42:20 nlt
But you must bring your youngest brother back to me. This will prove that you are telling the truth, and you will not die." To this they agreed.
Genesis 42 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:5-10 | Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him... then he had another dream... | Fulfillment of Joseph's dreams about family bowing. |
| Gen 41:56-57 | When the famine was over all the land... all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain... | Joseph's position and the widespread famine. |
| Gen 42:1-5 | When Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?"... | The brothers' reason for coming to Egypt. |
| Gen 42:18 | And Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God..." | Joseph's motivation (fear of God) and demand for action. |
| Gen 43:8-9 | Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy with me; then we shall arise and go... | Judah's pledge to bring Benjamin and take responsibility. |
| Gen 44:33 | Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a slave to my lord... | Judah's intercession and willingness to sacrifice for Benjamin. |
| Gen 45:5 | And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. | God's overarching purpose in Joseph's suffering. |
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good... | God's sovereignty over human evil and intent. |
| Deut 8:2 | And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years... to test you... | God's purpose in testing to prove hearts. |
| Psa 15:2 | He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; | Character of one who truly dwells with God – speaks truth. |
| Psa 66:10 | For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. | God's refining process through trials. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. | God's value of truth and faithfulness. |
| Prov 19:9 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. | Consequences of falsehood, direct link to "will not die." |
| Isa 55:11 | So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty... | God's word (and implied truth) is effective and fulfilled. |
| Jer 17:10 | I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways... | God's probing of the heart and righteous judgment. |
| Jn 8:32 | And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. | The liberating power of truth, contrast to deception. |
| Eph 4:25 | Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor... | Christian imperative to speak truth to one another. |
| 1 Jn 1:6 | If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth... | The importance of truthfulness in demonstrating faith. |
| 1 Jn 3:18 | Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. | Love expressed through action and truth. |
| Rev 22:15 | Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. | Eternal consequence of loving and practicing lies. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God... | God's ability to orchestrate difficult events for good. |
| 2 Cor 5:18-19 | Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... | The ultimate goal of reconciliation and restoration. |
Genesis 42 verses
Genesis 42 20 Meaning
This verse states Joseph's direct command to his brothers: they must bring their youngest brother to Egypt as proof of their truthfulness. This action is the sole condition for verifying their claim that they are not spies and that their family is legitimate. Failure to comply would result in their demise, emphasizing the life-or-death stakes of Joseph's test and his position of authority.
Genesis 42 20 Context
This verse occurs during Joseph's initial encounter with his brothers in Egypt, who have come seeking grain during a severe famine. Having recognized them but remaining unrecognized himself, Joseph orchestrates a dramatic test. He accuses them of being spies, a serious charge, which the brothers deny by explaining their large family and stating they have a younger brother. To prove their integrity, Joseph demands that this youngest brother be brought to him. This condition serves as a pivotal moment, forcing the brothers to confront their past actions of deception and their father's grief, especially regarding Joseph, and ultimately setting the stage for Jacob's entire family to be reunited in Egypt. Historically, the charge of being a "spy" carried severe penalties in the ancient Near East, making Joseph's demand a matter of life and death, forcing them to genuinely demonstrate their character and commitment to their family.
Genesis 42 20 Word analysis
- And bring: וְהָבִיאוּ (v'havi'u). This is a strong imperative, signifying a non-negotiable command from a position of authority. It underscores the mandatory nature of Joseph's demand and his control over their fate.
- your youngest brother: אֲחִיכֶם הַקָּטֹן (achikem haqaṭōn). Specific, precise identification of Benjamin. The Hebrew emphasizes his position as "the small/least." Joseph's choice of Benjamin targets Jacob's most cherished son from Rachel, serving as a profound test of the brothers' willingness to expose their father's remaining vulnerable beloved. This also implicitly tests if they would act towards Benjamin as they did towards Joseph.
- to me: אֵלַי (elay). Directs the action solely to Joseph, establishing his personal demand and authority over their situation.
- so your words: וְיֵאָמְנוּ דִבְרֵיכֶם (v'ye'amnu divreychem). The conjunction "so" introduces the consequence of their action. "Your words" (דִבְרֵיכֶם) refers to their prior assertion of being "honest men" and having a younger brother.
- will be verified: יֵאָמְנוּ (yēʼāmenu). This is from the root ʾaman (אָמַן), which means "to be firm, trustworthy, established, faithful." It's the root for "amen" (truth, verily) and "faith" (emunah). This word implies more than just being proven factually correct; it suggests their character, integrity, and reliability will be validated. This verification is crucial for the restoration of trust, not only with Joseph but also within the fractured family dynamic.
- and you will not die: וְלֹא תָמוּתוּ (v'lo' tamuṭu). A direct promise conditional on their compliance. It highlights the dire stakes, emphasizing that their very lives hang in the balance. This ultimatum forces the brothers to weigh the immediate danger against their prior deceit and the deep-seated fear of Jacob losing Benjamin.
- Words-group analysis: "bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified": This phrase reveals Joseph's primary objective: to establish the truth of his brothers' claims. Bringing Benjamin would confirm their identity and their honesty, thereby addressing the issue of trust—an element shattered by their past actions against Joseph. This act functions as the acid test of their true reformation and sincerity.
- Words-group analysis: "so your words will be verified, and you will not die": This powerfully links truth to life and falsehood to death. Joseph, acting under divine providence, establishes a principle echoing biblical truth: faithfulness (expressed in honesty) leads to life, while deceit can lead to destruction. This ultimatum serves as both a threat and a promise, motivating them towards a necessary step of reconciliation.
Genesis 42 20 Bonus section
The demanding of Benjamin by Joseph carries a symbolic weight mirroring Joseph's own suffering and eventual elevation. Joseph, like Benjamin, was a son of Rachel and particularly beloved by Jacob. By requiring Benjamin's presence, Joseph is forcing the brothers to choose whether they will protect Benjamin as Jacob's favored son or repeat their callous betrayal, thereby revealing the depth of their change. This test is less about a mere headcount of their family members and more about a painful, necessary, and redemptive crucible designed to bring their conscience to bear upon their former deeds. Joseph’s hidden identity adds dramatic tension, as they unwittingly navigate divine judgment orchestrated by their own long-lost brother, ultimately leading to a profound revelation and the preservation of God's chosen lineage.
Genesis 42 20 Commentary
Genesis 42:20 marks a critical juncture in Joseph's intricate plan to test his brothers and, ultimately, to save his entire family. Joseph's demand for Benjamin serves a multi-layered purpose beyond merely proving their innocence of being spies. Firstly, it forces the brothers to confront their deep-seated familial brokenness and their original sin against Joseph, for bringing Benjamin means facing their past deception regarding their "missing" brother. The term "verified" (yēʼāmenu) suggests a restoration of trustworthiness, not just a factual confirmation, indicating that Joseph is probing their spiritual and moral state. The life-or-death consequence highlights the seriousness of repentance and the providential weight of the encounter. Joseph is compelling them into a situation where their character will be laid bare, moving them towards confession and transformation, aligning with God's sovereign plan to turn their evil intent into redemptive good for many.