Genesis 44:18 kjv
Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
Genesis 44:18 nkjv
Then Judah came near to him and said: "O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.
Genesis 44:18 niv
Then Judah went up to him and said: "Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.
Genesis 44:18 esv
Then Judah went up to him and said, "Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.
Genesis 44:18 nlt
Then Judah stepped forward and said, "Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.
Genesis 44 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:26-27 | Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother...? Come, let us sell him...” | Judah's earlier disposition vs. his plea here |
| Gen 43:8-9 | Judah said to Israel his father, "...send the boy with me, and we will arise and go... I will be surety for him..." | Judah taking responsibility for Benjamin |
| Gen 44:32-34 | "For your servant became surety for the boy... let your servant remain instead of the boy as a slave..." | Judah's ultimate offer of substitution |
| Gen 45:1-5 | Joseph could not control himself... and he wept aloud... “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt." | Result of Judah's plea; Joseph's revelation |
| Gen 49:8-10 | “Judah, your brothers shall praise you... The scepter shall not depart from Judah...” | Jacob's blessing on Judah, leadership |
| Ex 5:2 | Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice...? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” | Pharaoh's absolute, defiant authority |
| Num 11:2 | And the people cried to Moses... And Moses prayed to the Lord... | Leaders interceding for their people |
| Deut 9:18-19 | “Then I lay prostrate before the Lord as before, forty days and forty nights... for the anger and wrath..." | Moses' intercession before God's anger |
| 1 Sam 25:23-24 | Abigail fell on her face before David... “On me alone, my lord, let the iniquity be; and let your servant speak..." | Humble plea before an angry superior |
| 2 Sam 14:4 | When the woman from Tekoa spoke to the king, she fell on her face... and said, “Help, O king.” | Approaching royalty with deference |
| Isa 53:12 | ...he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. | Christ as ultimate intercessor and substitute |
| Ezr 9:6-7 | "...my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities..." | Confession and humility before God |
| Jer 26:14-15 | "But as for me, behold, I am in your hands... be sure that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves..." | Prophets standing before authorities |
| Job 9:32-33 | "For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we might come to trial together. There is no arbiter..." | Man's inability to stand before God alone |
| Dan 2:20 | Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever... He removes kings and sets up kings...” | God's ultimate authority over earthly rulers |
| Joel 2:13 | ...return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love..." | God's slow anger, inviting pleas |
| Mt 20:26-28 | "...whoever would be great among you must be your servant... even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” | Christ's servant leadership and sacrifice |
| Rom 5:8 | But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | Christ's sacrificial love |
| Rom 8:34 | Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. | Christ's ongoing intercession for believers |
| Heb 4:14-16 | "Since then we have a great high priest... Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace..." | Drawing near to God's authority in Christ |
| Heb 7:25 | "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." | Christ's perfect and continuous intercession |
| Phil 2:6-8 | "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped... and became obedient to the point of death..." | Christ's humility and obedience |
Genesis 44 verses
Genesis 44 18 Meaning
Genesis 44:18 encapsulates Judah's profound transformation and selfless intercession before Joseph, who he believes is the powerful Egyptian ruler. Judah humbly yet boldly pleads for Benjamin's freedom, offering himself as a substitute. The verse signifies the high stakes of the encounter, Judah's courageous advocacy for his brother, and his acknowledgment of Joseph's absolute, pharaoh-like authority over their fate, highlighting a pivotal moment of redemption and familial reconciliation.
Genesis 44 18 Context
Genesis chapter 44 climaxes the testing of Joseph's brothers. After a sumptuous feast and their initial departure, Joseph engineers a crisis by having his personal silver cup hidden in Benjamin's sack. When the cup is "discovered," Benjamin is apprehended and declared Joseph's slave. This scene is fraught with tension as Benjamin's loss would likely kill their father, Jacob, who had already endured Joseph's presumed death and had given Benjamin unique protection. Faced with this imminent tragedy, Judah, who had earlier put himself forward as surety for Benjamin to Jacob, steps up. This verse initiates his powerful, transformative plea for Benjamin's freedom, which lays bare his deepest concerns for his father and youngest brother, distinguishing him from his brothers' prior complicity in selling Joseph. His reference to Pharaoh emphasizes the immense, unchallengeable authority he perceives Joseph to wield, making his plea a desperate act of courage.
Genesis 44 18 Word analysis
- Then Judah came near to him (וַיִּגַּשׁ אֵלָיו יְהוּדָה - wayyigash 'elaw Yehudah): The verb nagash (נָגַשׁ) means "to draw near," often used in the context of prayer, warfare, or legal proceedings. Here, it denotes physical approach but also an earnest, deliberate act of supplication and bold confrontation to a figure of authority. This moment is pivotal as Judah steps into the lead, fulfilling the role of an advocate and intercessor, unlike Reuben or Simeon. This verb is also used for Abraham approaching God (Gen 18:23) and for Israel coming to meet God (Ex 20:21), marking it as an act of intimate or significant appeal.
- Oh, my lord (בִּי אֲדֹנִי - bi adoni): Bi is an interjection expressing entreaty or strong petition, essentially meaning "Please!" or "I beg you!" It signifies deep respect and urgency. Adoni means "my lord," acknowledging Joseph's perceived superior status and authority, not knowing it's his brother.
- please let your servant speak a word in your ears (יְדַבֶּר־נָא עַבְדְּךָ דָּבָר בְּאָזְנֵי אֲדֹנִי):
- Let your servant speak: This humble address highlights the significant social hierarchy and Judah's submission. He identifies himself as ʿavd'kha (עַבְדְּךָ), "your servant," showing reverence and dependence.
- A word: Signifies the conciseness and importance of what he is about to say, not a lengthy discourse but a weighty matter.
- In your ears: An idiom for speaking confidentially, intimately, or with direct focus and persuasion to someone important, asking for a personal hearing.
- and let not your anger burn against your servant (וְאַל־יִחַר אַפְּךָ בְּעַבְדֶּךָ): A standard plea for mercy before an angered ruler. Yihar app'kha (יִחַר אַפְּךָ) literally means "let not your nose burn," a common Hebrew idiom for expressing wrath or anger. Judah acknowledges Joseph's power to retaliate or punish and seeks to de-escalate any perceived offense, fearing severe repercussions.
- for you are even like Pharaoh (כִּי כָמוֹךָ כְפַרְעֹה - ki khāmocha kəfar‘ōh): This is the verse's theological and thematic pinnacle.
- Like Pharaoh: A direct comparison acknowledging Joseph's unparalleled authority in Egypt, second only to the true Pharaoh. Pharaoh was seen as the absolute sovereign, embodying divine rule and holding power over life and death. Judah's statement attributes near-sacred authority to Joseph, emphasizing the desperation and gravity of his plea.
- This comparison demonstrates Judah's profound reverence and awe, providing the necessary justification for his abject humility and his bold intercession. It underscores the overwhelming power Joseph wields over their lives.
- Judah came near to him... let your servant speak: This phrase emphasizes Judah's leadership and the radical transformation in his character. The brother who instigated the sale of Joseph now risks his own life to save Benjamin, demonstrating true repentance and familial loyalty. His courage contrasts sharply with their fear-driven actions decades prior.
- let not your anger burn... for you are even like Pharaoh: This combined statement reflects a deep understanding of power dynamics and a skillful appeal to a potentate. By likening Joseph to Pharaoh, Judah acknowledges the immense gap in their status while also subtly appealing to the very magnitude of Joseph's power to demonstrate mercy—a quality often expected of benevolent rulers, albeit within the context of absolute authority. This setup validates Judah's extraordinary courage and the desperate nature of his intervention.
Genesis 44 18 Bonus section
- Judah's bold action here directly contrasts with Reuben's failure to protect Joseph years earlier (Gen 37). While Reuben tried to deliver Joseph (Gen 37:21-22), Judah acted decisively when faced with a similar crisis regarding Benjamin, stepping up where others were paralyzed. This illustrates a maturity and leadership quality previously unseen in him.
- The dramatic tension in this scene is heightened by Joseph's internal struggle. While Judah is desperately pleading with a man he perceives as an omnipotent ruler, Joseph is simultaneously fighting to maintain his disguise and emotional composure before the very brothers who wronged him. This adds layers of divine providence and testing to the narrative.
- Many scholars highlight Judah's transformation from self-serving brother (selling Joseph, the incident with Tamar) to selfless protector. This repentance is a critical step in God's redemptive plan for Jacob's family, allowing them to truly become the foundational nation of Israel. Judah’s intercession here becomes a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s intercessory work, laying down His life for others.
Genesis 44 18 Commentary
Genesis 44:18 marks a profound shift within Jacob's family and is a pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative. Judah's act of "coming near" (N. nagash) signifies not merely a physical approach but a deep commitment to intercession, reflecting a dramatic transformation from his complicity in Joseph's selling. His willingness to humble himself ("your servant") and confront an all-powerful official whom he equates to "Pharaoh" underscores the depth of his character change. This moment of courageous and self-sacrificing intercession by Judah for Benjamin prefigures the future role of his tribe, from which kings (like David) and ultimately the Messiah (Jesus Christ, the ultimate intercessor and substitute) would come. Judah's plea effectively breaks Joseph's feigned sternness, allowing reconciliation to begin. The phrase "you are even like Pharaoh" accentuates the absolute power Joseph wielded in his perceived identity, amplifying the boldness of Judah's direct appeal and the weighty stakes of the situation for the entire family. This selfless act serves as a profound demonstration of covenant loyalty and brotherhood, moving beyond personal gain to familial preservation and integrity.