Genesis 43:6 kjv

And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

Genesis 43:6 nkjv

And Israel said, "Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?"

Genesis 43:6 niv

Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"

Genesis 43:6 esv

Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the man that you had another brother?"

Genesis 43:6 nlt

"Why were you so cruel to me?" Jacob moaned. "Why did you tell him you had another brother?"

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 6 Meaning

In Genesis 43:6, Jacob, also known as Israel, expresses profound distress and frustration to his sons. He laments their decision to reveal the existence of his youngest son, Benjamin, to the powerful Egyptian official (who is unknowingly Joseph). Jacob perceives this revelation as a grave mistake and a direct cause of his current suffering and fear for Benjamin’s safety, seeing it as an "ill dealing" or harm inflicted upon him.

Genesis 43 6 Context

Genesis chapter 43 takes place during a severe famine that grips the land, forcing Jacob and his family to seek sustenance in Egypt. Previously, in Genesis 42, Jacob's sons had journeyed to Egypt to buy grain and encountered Joseph, their long-lost brother, whom they did not recognize. Joseph, acting as the governor, accused them of being spies and demanded they prove their honesty by bringing their youngest brother, Benjamin, back to Egypt. To ensure their return, he held Simeon hostage. Upon their return to Canaan, Jacob was already overwhelmed by the apparent loss of Joseph (Gen 37) and now feared for Benjamin, his last surviving son by his beloved wife Rachel. Jacob’s desperate plea in Gen 43:6 reflects his anguish, having lost Joseph and now Simeon, and feeling that his sons’ honest answer to "the man" has inadvertently placed Benjamin in grave peril. He views their transparency as a blunder that escalates his family's misfortune. This period in the family's history is marked by deep familial strife, long-held grief, and a palpable tension between human actions and the unfolding of God’s sovereign plan for Israel’s preservation.

Genesis 43 6 Word analysis

• And Israel said:

  • And: Hebrew waw (וְ), connecting this statement directly to the preceding discussion about Benjamin.
  • Israel: Hebrew Yisra'el (יִשְׂרָאֵל). While he is physically Jacob, the use of "Israel" emphasizes his covenant identity, indicating this is the patriarch of God's chosen people speaking. It elevates the complaint from merely personal grievance to one with broader spiritual implications, reminding the reader of God's covenant with this nation. The name signifies "one who strives with God," reflecting Jacob's spiritual journey.
  • said: Hebrew waYomer (וַיֹּאמֶר), a standard verb for speech.

• Why did ye deal so ill with me:

  • Why: Hebrew Lamah (לָמָּה), an interrogative particle expressing strong dissatisfaction, bewilderment, and often an implied accusation or complaint. It conveys a sense of "For what reason?" or "To what purpose did you do this terrible thing?"
  • did ye deal so ill: Hebrew hare'otem (הֲרֵעֹתֶם). This is the Hiphil perfect form of the root ra'a (רָעַע), meaning "to be bad," "evil," or "to harm/afflict." In the Hiphil, it means "to cause evil" or "to deal wickedly/harmfully." Jacob uses strong language, not merely saying they made a mistake, but that they inflicted personal suffering ("with me"). He feels directly harmed by their disclosure.
  • with me: Hebrew li (לִי), indicating a personal, dative sense; "to me" or "against me."

• as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?:

  • as to tell: Hebrew leHaggid (לְהַגִּיד). Hiphil infinitive of nagad (נָגַד), meaning "to tell," "to declare," "to announce." It denotes the specific action that caused Jacob's distress: the communication of crucial family information.
  • the man: Hebrew ha'Ish (הָאִישׁ), referring to Joseph. Jacob doesn't know Joseph's identity. This general term emphasizes his view of Joseph as a powerful, unknown, and potentially malevolent figure, exacerbating his anxiety. This creates a powerful dramatic irony for the reader who knows the identity of "the man."
  • whether ye had yet: Hebrew ha'od lakem (הַעוֹד לָכֶם). Ha- is the interrogative particle "whether," and od (עוֹד) means "still," "yet," "more." This implies a question about their remaining family, indicating Jacob's extreme vulnerability and sense of having lost so much. The phrase specifically points to Benjamin's continued existence as a vital, fragile point.
  • a brother?: Hebrew ach (אָח), specifically "a brother." The revelation of another brother directly led to the demand for Benjamin's presence, threatening Jacob’s deeply held fear for his youngest son.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Israel said, Why did ye deal so ill with me": This phrase encapsulates Jacob’s immediate, personal anguish and sense of betrayal. It reveals his deeply wounded patriarchal heart, as he interprets his sons' actions as causing direct personal affliction rather than merely being an unwise move. It is the outcry of a grieving father who feels continually burdened by sorrow, especially concerning his beloved Rachel’s descendants.
  • "as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?": This specific complaint pinpoints the exact cause of Jacob’s distress. It highlights the sensitive nature of Benjamin's existence in Jacob's mind and underscores Jacob’s protective instinct. From his limited perspective, revealing the existence of his remaining beloved son to a powerful, unknown figure seemed to be an act of dangerous and unnecessary transparency, opening the door to further potential tragedy. The implied vulnerability and fear for Benjamin (after the 'loss' of Joseph) weigh heavily on Jacob, leading him to accuse his sons of recklessness.

Genesis 43 6 Bonus section

• Divine Providence and Human Responsibility: This verse is a powerful illustration of the tension between human responsibility and divine providence. The sons answered truthfully, believing they had to. Jacob perceived their honesty as folly, causing him "evil." Yet, this very revelation was necessary for God’s plan, through Joseph, to save Jacob’s family and, consequently, the covenant line. This highlights that human actions, even those viewed as mistakes or sorrows, can be integral parts of God’s perfect, though often hidden, plan.
• The Power of Jacob's Lament: Jacob’s words are not merely a scolding but a deep lament (Lamah hare'otem li). Such lamentations are a recurring motif in the Bible, reflecting the deep anguish and honest complaint of God's people in distress. It affirms the biblical model of pouring out one's true emotions, including accusation and despair, before God and fellow humans, even when mistaken about the overall picture. It reflects his deep emotional fragility and weariness from years of suffering (Gen 47:9).

Genesis 43 6 Commentary

Genesis 43:6 captures the profound agony and human frailty of Jacob (Israel). His passionate outcry, "Why did ye deal so ill with me," stems from a lifetime of loss and heartache, particularly concerning his children from Rachel. From his perspective, the revelation of Benjamin's existence to the powerful Egyptian ruler was a monumental error that jeopardized his cherished son's life and thereby the core of his remaining hope and joy. Jacob sees himself as perpetually suffering the "evil" brought upon him by circumstances and, in this instance, by the actions of his own sons, even if unintentional.

This verse profoundly illustrates the contrast between limited human understanding and God's sovereign plan. Jacob, consumed by his grief and fears (echoing his lament in Gen 42:36: "Me have ye bereaved of my children"), cannot perceive the divine purpose unfolding through these harrowing events. He views their truthful answer as a foolish and harmful mistake. However, this seemingly calamitous "truth" was precisely what Joseph needed to continue his strategic unfolding of events, meticulously designed by God to bring his entire family, and indeed, the future nation of Israel, into Egypt for preservation during the famine (Gen 45:5-8).

The narrative employs dramatic irony; the reader knows the "man" is Joseph and understands his motives, while Jacob's anguish is rooted in his ignorance. This underscores a critical theological principle: God often works through complex and seemingly negative circumstances that are beyond our comprehension, using human actions and their apparent mistakes to fulfill His overarching will. Jacob's suffering, though real and intense, was an integral part of God's larger design for the deliverance and formation of His people. The verse is a testament to the fact that even patriarchs of faith experienced profound human fears and often failed to see God's hand in their darkest trials.