Genesis 43 14

Genesis 43:14 kjv

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Genesis 43:14 nkjv

And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"

Genesis 43:14 niv

And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

Genesis 43:14 esv

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."

Genesis 43:14 nlt

May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it."

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 14 meaning

Genesis 43:14 records Jacob's desperate prayer to God Almighty as he reluctantly sends Benjamin with his other sons to Egypt. He entrusts them to divine mercy, hoping the Egyptian ruler (Joseph, unknown to Jacob) will release Simeon and allow Benjamin to return safely. His final words, "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved," express a profound resignation to potential loss, signaling his complete dependence on God in an unavoidable and fearful situation. It is a moment of releasing control and trusting God with his fate, despite his deep sorrow.

Genesis 43 14 Context

Genesis chapter 43 takes place amidst a severe famine that grips the land of Canaan and Egypt. Jacob's sons had previously gone to Egypt to buy grain, where they encountered Joseph, their long-lost brother, without recognizing him. Joseph, now Egypt's powerful governor, had held Simeon captive and demanded that Benjamin, Jacob's youngest and dearly loved son, be brought to Egypt before any more grain would be sold to them. Jacob, still reeling from the presumed death of Joseph and fearing for Benjamin, vehemently resisted sending him. The family's dire need for food, however, eventually forced Jacob to concede. His words in verse 14 are spoken as he reluctantly agrees to Benjamin's departure, sending gifts and pleading for divine intervention. This moment encapsulates Jacob's profound emotional turmoil, his sense of powerlessness, and his ultimate reliance on God's sovereign hand in a desperate situation. Historically, famines were common and devastating, making trips like this essential for survival, highlighting the family's vulnerability.

Genesis 43 14 Word analysis

• And may God Almighty:

  • וְאֵל שַׁדַּי (və'ēl shaddai): "And El Shaddai."
  • El (אֵל): God, the Strong One, a general Semitic term for deity, indicating power and sovereignty.
  • Shaddai (שַׁדַּי): Almighty, All-Sufficient, or "the One of the mountain," implying invincibility and power; often associated with God's provision, power, and blessings for the patriarchs. It's the name God revealed to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for covenant purposes, emphasizing His ability to fulfill promises despite human impossibility (e.g., childbearing in old age). Jacob uses this specific name to appeal to God's character as the sustainer and provider who is able to intervene and overcome any obstacle. This indicates his deep, personal relationship with God through generations of his family.

• grant you mercy:

  • יִתֵּן לָכֶם רַחֲמִים (yitten lakhem rachamim): "He may give you compassion."
  • Rachamim (רַחֲמִים): Mercy, compassion, pity, tender affection. This Hebrew root also relates to "womb" (rechem), suggesting deep, visceral, motherly tenderness. Jacob prays for the Egyptian ruler to show them a heartfelt compassion, a favor beyond mere justice.

• before the man:

  • לִפְנֵי הָאִישׁ (lifnei ha'ish): "before the man."
  • Ha'ish (הָאִישׁ): The man. This refers to Joseph, though his identity is still a mystery to Jacob and his sons. The definite article "the" indicates this is a specific, powerful man known to them as the governor. The language underscores the high-stakes encounter they are about to face, facing an unknown yet powerful human authority.

• that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin:

  • Jacob's specific request and deepest desire. "Your other brother" is Simeon, who was held captive. Benjamin is the one Jacob is now risking. This highlights Jacob's burden, trying to maintain his family's integrity after profound loss.

• If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”:

  • וַאֲנִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁכֹלְתִּי שָׁכָלְתִּי (va'ani ka'asher shacholti shacholti): "And I, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."
  • Shacholti (שָׁכֹלְתִּי): Bereaved, indicating deep, grievous loss, specifically of children. This idiomatic expression conveys utter resignation or surrender to an unavoidable, catastrophic outcome. It's not a statement of unbelief but of complete release, as if saying, "I have done all I can; now it is out of my hands. Whatever comes, I will accept it." It reflects a moment of letting go of control, a profound vulnerability and surrender to destiny or, more accurately, to divine providence. It echoes the intense grief Jacob carried since losing Joseph (Gen 37:35).

Genesis 43 14 Bonus section

• Jacob's Character Development: This verse marks a significant point in Jacob's spiritual journey. From being a schemer who wrestled with men (and God in Gen 32), he reaches a point of surrender and explicit reliance on God in his utter weakness. He still fears, but his fear now drives him to humble dependence on El Shaddai rather than his own cunning.
• The Hidden Hand of Providence: Unbeknownst to Jacob, the "man" before whom he seeks mercy is his own son, Joseph. This layer of divine irony and meticulous providence emphasizes God's unseen working behind the scenes. Jacob prays to God to influence a human heart, and that heart belongs to someone divinely appointed for this very purpose of reunion and salvation.
• Echoes of Sorrow and Hope: The phrase "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved" powerfully connects to Jacob's enduring sorrow over Joseph's supposed death. It demonstrates the lasting scars of his past grief while setting the stage for an unexpected joy: the discovery that Joseph is alive. This highlights how God can turn our deepest sorrows into unforeseen triumphs.

Genesis 43 14 Commentary

Genesis 43:14 captures a raw, pivotal moment in Jacob's life, intertwining profound despair with desperate faith. His appeal to "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) signifies a deep-seated recognition of God's sovereign power to sustain and provide, particularly significant as El Shaddai was the covenant name associated with patriarchal promises and provision in seemingly impossible circumstances. Jacob has exhausted all human options, his reluctance to send Benjamin overridden by the crushing reality of the famine. His plea for "mercy before the man" underscores his powerlessness before an earthly authority, acknowledging that their fate rests entirely upon the unnamed Egyptian governor's discretion, and ultimately, upon God's intervention. The repetition, "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved," is a poignant expression of ultimate resignation. It is not necessarily a lack of faith, but rather a complete surrender, having done everything humanly possible, now entrusting the outcome to divine will, bracing himself for potentially unbearable grief, yet clinging to a sliver of hope through prayer. This verse showcases the often complex human experience of faith: holding onto God amidst overwhelming fear and vulnerability, submitting to outcomes beyond one's control, and placing all hope in God's mercy even when facing the worst fears. Jacob, the one known for his schemes, finally fully relies on God's omnipotence and mercy.