Genesis 44:14 kjv
And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
Genesis 44:14 nkjv
So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.
Genesis 44:14 niv
Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.
Genesis 44:14 esv
When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.
Genesis 44:14 nlt
Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him.
Genesis 44 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:7 | "For behold, we were binding sheaves... and behold, my sheaf arose... and behold your sheaves bowed down to my sheaf." | Fulfillment of Joseph's first dream. |
| Gen 37:9-10 | "Then he dreamed another dream... The sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me." | Fulfillment of Joseph's second dream. |
| Gen 42:6 | "Joseph was governor over the land... And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him..." | Earlier instances of their bowing to Joseph, unknowingly fulfilling prophecy. |
| Gen 43:26 | "When Joseph came home, they brought into the house the present... and bowed down to him." | Another instance of their initial bowing. |
| Gen 42:21 | "Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother... therefore this distress has come upon us." | Brothers' dawning realization of their past sin as the cause of their troubles. |
| Gen 44:16 | "Judah said, 'What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves?'" | Judah's desperate confession of their helplessness. |
| Gen 44:33-34 | "Therefore please let your servant remain instead of the young man... for how can I go up to my father if the young man is not with me?" | Judah's substitutionary offer and deep love for Benjamin. |
| Gen 45:5-8 | "Now do not be grieved or angry... for God sent me before you to preserve life." | Joseph's explanation of God's sovereign purpose. |
| Gen 50:20 | "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good..." | God's ultimate reversal of human evil for His redemptive plan. |
| Prov 15:33 | "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor." | Principle of humility leading to exaltation, seen in the brothers. |
| Prov 18:12 | "Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, but humility goes before honor." | Pride precedes a fall; humility precedes elevation. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." | God exalts those who humble themselves. |
| Jas 4:10 | "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." | Divine promise of exaltation for the humble. |
| Phil 2:8-11 | "...He humbled Himself... Therefore God also has highly exalted Him..." | Christ's example of humble submission leading to universal adoration. |
| Isa 45:23 | "By Myself I have sworn... To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath." | Ultimate divine decree of universal submission. |
| Rom 14:11 | "For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me...'" | New Testament reiteration of universal homage to God. |
| Matt 2:11 | "And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him." | Example of bowing in worship, echoing ultimate submission. |
| Matt 28:17 | "When they saw Him, they worshiped Him..." | Disciples' worship of the resurrected Christ, demonstrating reverence. |
| Rev 4:10 | "...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him..." | Heavenly example of ultimate prostration before God. |
| Deut 8:2-3 | "...He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna... to make you know that man shall not live by bread alone..." | God's humbling of Israel to teach dependence and build character. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | "For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another." | God's sovereign power over human status and destiny. |
Genesis 44 verses
Genesis 44 14 Meaning
Genesis 44:14 captures a pivotal moment where Joseph’s brothers, led by Judah, return to Joseph's house in Egypt in deep distress and submission. Their action of falling to the ground before him signifies their complete surrender, helplessness, and an unconscious acknowledgement of his immense authority. Unbeknownst to them, this act serves as the culmination of Joseph's prophetic dreams, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration in bringing about the family's reconciliation and preservation through humbling them.
Genesis 44 14 Context
Genesis chapter 44 is a climactic part of the Joseph narrative. Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers, has set a trap to test their character and resolve. He arranged for his silver cup to be found in Benjamin's sack, creating a situation where Benjamin would be enslaved, testing whether the brothers would abandon Benjamin as they had abandoned Joseph, or stand by him. Verse 14 occurs after the cup is "discovered," Benjamin is apprehended, and the brothers return to Joseph's house from the road, unwilling to leave Benjamin to his fate. This moment, marked by their collective prostration, represents the apex of their desperation and marks a complete shift in their hearts from their former envy and malice, preparing them for Joseph's eventual revelation. Historically, falling prostrate was a common sign of deep respect and surrender before a higher authority in the ancient Near East, which Joseph, as the powerful vizier, commanded.
Genesis 44 14 Word analysis
- When: (וַיָּבֹ֤א - vayyāvōʾ) - And came. Conjunction waw plus verb "to come." Connects the immediate action to the preceding events, showing a direct consequence of Benjamin's arrest and their decision not to abandon him.
- Judah: (יְהוּדָה - Yehudah) - "Praised." From the Hebrew root yadah, meaning "to praise" or "to give thanks." Judah's presence at the forefront signifies his established leadership among the brothers, particularly after Reuben’s ineffectual role, and his courageous pledge for Benjamin's safety (Gen 43:9). He embodies a significant change from the youth who had earlier suggested selling Joseph (Gen 37:26-27). This lineage will be blessed as the source of kingship and the Messiah.
- and his brothers: (אֶחָיו֙ - ʾeḥāyw) - Refers to the other nine brothers who journeyed with Benjamin (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher). Their unified presence shows a collective responsibility and shared plight.
- came to: (אֶל־בֵּ֣ית - ʾel-bêṯ) - "to the house of." Signifies their destination as a specific location, Joseph's official residence. This is a forced return under duress, highlighting their submission to Joseph’s authority.
- Joseph’s house: (יוֹסֵ֑ף - yôsēf) - Refers to the official residence and center of administration for the viceroy of Egypt. It's a place of power and command, where decisions impacting their lives will be made.
- he was still there: (וְה֣וּא עוֹדֶנּוּ־שָׁ֔ם - wəhūʾ ʿôdennū-šām) - "and he still [was] there." This phrase emphasizes Joseph’s presence, building tension. "He" refers to Joseph, signifying that their ordeal with him was not yet over. His being "still there" suggests that they were being brought directly to him for judgment.
- and they fell: (וַיִּפְּל֥וּ - vayyippelū) - "And they fell." From the Hebrew root naphal (נָפַל), meaning "to fall, cast down." This verb describes a complete prostration. It implies utter desperation, deep distress, total surrender, and a recognition of absolute power over them. It is a posture of both extreme supplication and profound respect.
- before him: (לְפָנָ֖יו - ləp̄ānāyw) - "before his face," or "in his presence." Indicates a direct, face-to-face submission. This highlights the immediacy and personal nature of their humbling before Joseph.
- to the ground: (אָֽרְצָה - ʾārəṣāh) - "to the earth/ground." Specifies the completeness of their prostration, emphasizing that their bodies were entirely lowered, symbolizing their lowliness and Joseph's high authority.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house": This highlights Judah's pivotal role as the new leader among the brothers. Their arrival at Joseph's official residence signifies their entrapment within his power structure, a direct consequence of their actions (past and present), bringing them to the place where ultimate justice (or mercy) will be rendered.
- "he was still there": This phrase creates a moment of intense anticipation, emphasizing Joseph's unwavering authority and presence. It indicates that the climax of the unfolding drama is about to occur with him still holding court and power over their fate.
- "and they fell before him to the ground": This phrase captures the absolute spiritual and physical submission of the brothers. It is a full realization of Joseph's earlier dreams (Gen 37) and a profound demonstration of their humbled hearts. Their complete prostration shows they have abandoned all pretense, acknowledging their guilt and Joseph's dominion over them, unconsciously fulfilling God’s long-foretold plan.
Genesis 44 14 Bonus section
The profound dramatic irony of this scene cannot be overstated: the very brothers who had sold Joseph into slavery, mocked his dreams, and now stand before him in absolute submission, unknowingly bowing to the brother they had wronged, thus validating those very dreams. This reversal of fortunes speaks to a greater divine purpose where human sin is overruled by God’s redemptive plan. It signifies a transition in the narrative from the "seed of the woman" promise to a focus on the family's survival, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah will ultimately come. The brothers' willingness to sacrifice themselves (specifically Judah for Benjamin) reflects a developing understanding of vicarious atonement and deep familial loyalty, setting an important moral and spiritual precedent for the nascent nation of Israel.
Genesis 44 14 Commentary
Genesis 44:14 marks the final, definitive fulfillment of Joseph's dreams from decades earlier (Gen 37). Their repeated bowing earlier in the narrative foreshadowed this ultimate submission, which occurs now out of profound distress and recognition of guilt rather than mere ceremony. Judah’s prominent leadership in this verse is highly significant; it sets the stage for his sacrificial appeal, demonstrating the moral transformation of the brothers from self-serving individuals to those bound by family and responsibility. Their collective prostration symbolizes complete surrender not merely to an Egyptian official, but unknowingly, to the sovereign plan of God, who had used Joseph’s suffering to preserve His chosen family. This act of deep humility is essential for true reconciliation and paves the way for the profound forgiveness and reunion that are about to unfold, showcasing God's work of humbling pride and elevating the contrite.