Genesis 43:29 kjv

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

Genesis 43:29 nkjv

Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Genesis 43:29 niv

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Genesis 43:29 esv

And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!"

Genesis 43:29 nlt

Then Joseph looked at his brother Benjamin, the son of his own mother. "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" Joseph asked. "May God be gracious to you, my son."

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 29 Meaning

Genesis 43:29 describes the intensely emotional moment when Joseph, as the powerful Egyptian viceroy, first beholds his younger brother, Benjamin, his only full brother by his mother Rachel. It captures his immediate recognition, his veiled inquiry about Benjamin's identity, and his spontaneous, heartfelt prayer for God's grace upon him. This verse signifies a crucial turning point in Joseph's plan for reconciliation, revealing his deep, buried affection and a profound connection to his true family through a divine blessing.

Genesis 43 29 Context

Genesis 43 stands amidst the complex narrative of Joseph's reunion with his brothers. Chapters 42-44 detail Joseph's elaborate scheme to test his brothers and bring Benjamin, his full brother, to Egypt, a condition Joseph had set to prove their honesty. After the first grain journey (Gen 42) and Simeon being held captive, Jacob was deeply reluctant to allow Benjamin to go. However, facing starvation, Judah eventually persuaded Jacob, offering himself as surety for Benjamin's return. Thus, in Gen 43, the brothers, including Benjamin, return to Egypt. This verse occurs when Joseph first enters his house to meet them for a meal he prepared. It is Joseph's immediate and profoundly personal reaction upon seeing Benjamin, his brother from the same mother (Rachel), whom he had not seen since he was sold into slavery over two decades prior. The setting is one of famine, desperate need, and carefully maintained pretense by Joseph.

Genesis 43 29 Word analysis

• "And he lifted up his eyes" (וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו - va-yiśśā' ʿê·nāw): This Hebrew idiom signifies an intentional, focused look. It suggests Joseph's intense anticipation and immediate recognition upon seeing Benjamin. It highlights a deliberate moment of observation that contrasts with his previously stoic interactions.
• "and saw his brother Benjamin" (וַיַּרְא אֶת־אָחִיו בִּנְיָמִין - va-yar' ʾeṯ-ʾā·ḥîw bin·yā·mî): The direct act of seeing Benjamin immediately identifies him. "Benjamin" (בִּנְיָמִין - Bin-yamín) means "son of the right hand," often associated with favor or strength, a name given by Jacob, recalling Rachel's dying words, "Ben-oni" ("son of my sorrow"). This name held profound significance for Joseph and his father.
• "his mother's son" (בֶּן־אִמּוֹ - ben-ʾim·mō): This specific detail is critical. It emphasizes their unique relationship as full brothers from Rachel, setting Benjamin apart from the half-brothers. For Joseph, this bond signifies shared lineage with his deeply loved and deceased mother, eliciting a special, poignant tenderness and affection.
• "and said, Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?" (וַיֹּאמֶר הֲזֶה אֲחִיכֶם הַקָּטֹן אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּרְתֶּם אֵלַי - va-yōʾmer ha-zeh ʾă·ḥî·ḵem haq·qā·ṭōōn ʾăšer dib·bar·tem ʾê·lay): Joseph maintains his disguise by framing his reaction as a mere verification of the brothers' previous statements. "The youngest" (הַקָּטֹן - haq·qā·ṭōn) specifically refers to the detail they provided in their previous interaction (Gen 42:13). This feigned query allows Joseph to manage his emotions while confirming Benjamin's presence.
• "And he said, God be gracious to you, my son." (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים יְחָנְּךָ בְּנִי - va-yōʾmer ʾělō·hîm yə·ḥān·nə·ḵā bə·nî):
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים - ʾĚlō·hîm): Joseph invokes God, revealing his deep, enduring faith despite years in pagan Egypt. This is a profound, spontaneous expression of his true spiritual core.
  • "be gracious to you" (יְחָנְּךָ - yə·ḥān·nə·ḵā): From the root חנן (chanan), meaning "to show favor" or "be merciful." This is a direct prayer for divine grace and blessing upon Benjamin. It underscores Joseph's compassion and desire for Benjamin's well-being.
  • "my son" (בְּנִי - bə·nî): This address signifies deep affection and tender protection. Though Benjamin is his younger brother, Joseph speaks to him with a paternal-like care, perhaps stemming from his long separation and the protective instinct of an elder. It is an outburst of genuine warmth towards Benjamin, in stark contrast to his treatment of the other brothers.

Genesis 43 29 Bonus section

The strong emotional content of this verse hints at the weeping that follows immediately in the subsequent verses (Gen 43:30), showing the torrent of Joseph's suppressed feelings being unleashed. The fact that Joseph pronounces a divine blessing rather than merely greeting Benjamin showcases his role as God's instrument and reflects the patriarchal tradition of bestowing blessings upon descendants (e.g., Jacob's blessings on his sons). This is also the first time in their encounter that Joseph expresses personal warmth towards one of his brothers. This pivotal scene underscores God's intricate plan for preserving His people through Joseph, bringing reconciliation through suffering and forgiveness, leading to the ultimate redemption of Jacob's entire household.

Genesis 43 29 Commentary

Genesis 43:29 serves as the emotional and spiritual pivot point of the Joseph narrative's reunion phase. It is a moment of profound recognition, where Joseph's carefully constructed facade of Egyptian sternness begins to crack. His "lifting of eyes" and direct gaze on Benjamin underscore the depth of their familial bond, distinct from the half-brothers. The qualifier "his mother's son" instantly transports Joseph to a past of shared intimacy and lost childhood, making the encounter deeply personal. Joseph's subsequent question about Benjamin being "your youngest brother" is a strategic maneuver to maintain his disguise while confirming his brother's presence, subtly hinting at his long-held memories. Yet, the culmination of the verse—"God be gracious to you, my son"—is an unrestrained overflow of his heart. It reveals Joseph's sustained faith in "Elohim" (God) and an overwhelming surge of tender affection and blessing. This spontaneous prayer highlights the grace of God woven into Joseph's life, echoing God's faithfulness even amidst family brokenness and human deceit. It shows Joseph is not just an administrator but a man of deep faith and human feeling, capable of profound compassion.

• Practical Usage: This verse can encourage believers to:
  • Trust in God's providence to reunite broken relationships, even after long separations.
  • Recognize that genuine love and compassion can break through outward facades.
  • Remember that even in positions of power, a believer's true character and faith in God can spontaneously surface in heartfelt blessing.