Genesis 44:19 kjv

My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

Genesis 44:19 nkjv

My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44:19 niv

My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44:19 esv

My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father, or a brother?'

Genesis 44:19 nlt

"My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 19 Meaning

Genesis 44:19 captures Judah's impassioned plea to Joseph in Egypt, detailing his aged father Jacob's deep love and attachment to his youngest son, Benjamin. The verse highlights Benjamin's status as a "child of his old age" and the sole surviving son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel, after Joseph (as they believe) had died. It aims to evoke sympathy from Joseph, emphasizing the severe grief Jacob would experience if Benjamin were not returned.

Genesis 44 19 Context

Genesis 44:19 is part of Judah's eloquent and passionate speech to Joseph, whom he and his brothers do not yet recognize as their brother. This speech (Genesis 44:18-34) is a pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative, demonstrating a profound transformation in Judah's character and the collective remorse of the brothers. They are in Egypt for the second time, and Joseph has orchestrated a test: Benjamin is found with Joseph's silver cup, ostensibly stolen, making him subject to becoming Joseph's slave. Judah's appeal highlights the precarious emotional state of their aged father, Jacob, whose life is portrayed as intimately bound up with Benjamin's return. The profound irony is that Joseph, who suffered greatly due to his brothers' initial jealousy, is now presented with their heartfelt plea concerning the well-being of the brother closest to Jacob, reminding him of his own past. Judah’s plea effectively transitions the narrative towards reconciliation.

Genesis 44 19 Word analysis

• And we said (וַנֹּאמֶר, vannōʾmer): This Hebrew conjunction-verb emphasizes the direct speech and a collective statement by the brothers, with Judah acting as their spokesperson. It highlights their united front and deep concern.
• to my lord (לַאדֹנִי, laʾdonī): "Lord" (adon) denotes respect and submission, acknowledging Joseph's authority. This contrasts with their previous, disrespectful interactions with Joseph years ago.
• We have a father (לָנוּ אָב, lānū ʾāḇ): The phrase literally "to us a father," conveying possession or relation. It simply states the fact, laying the foundation for the plea.
• an old man (זָקֵן, zāqēn): This adjective "old" highlights Jacob's advanced age, fragility, and vulnerability. It evokes empathy, appealing to Joseph's sense of duty or compassion towards the elderly.
• and a young brother (וְיֶלֶד קָטָן, wəyeleḏ qāṭān): "And a child, small/young." Emphasizes Benjamin's relative youth and tenderness.
• the child of his old age (זְקֻנִים, zəqunîm): This significant term refers to a child born when parents are advanced in years. It immediately signifies special affection and vulnerability. Isaac (Gen 21:2) was also a "child of old age" to Abraham and Sarah, setting a precedent for unique parental attachment. Jacob cherishes Benjamin all the more after Rachel's death and Joseph's supposed demise.
• and his brother is dead (וְאָחִיו מֵת, wəʾāḥîw mēṯ): "And his brother, dead." This is a profoundly ironic statement given that Joseph himself is the one listening. It reveals the brothers' continued belief in Joseph's death, emphasizing Benjamin's status as Jacob's only remaining son from Rachel. This believed tragedy contributes to Jacob's extreme attachment to Benjamin.
• and he alone is left (וְהוּא לְבַדּוֹ נִשְׁאַר, wəhû ləḇaddō nišʾar): "And he, alone, remains." Stresses Benjamin's isolation. Being the sole survivor amplifies his perceived preciousness in Jacob's eyes.
• of his mother’s children (מֵאִמּוֹ, mēʾimmō): "From his mother." This specifically points to Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, making Benjamin and Joseph (the other child of Rachel) uniquely special to Jacob. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, adding to his poignancy for Jacob.
• and his father loves him (וְאָבִיו אֲהֵבוֹ, wəʾāḇîw ʾăhēḇô): "And his father loves him." A direct and conclusive statement of Jacob's profound affection, serving as the crux of the emotional appeal. This love is presented as an insurmountable bond.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "We have a father, an old man...": This opening emphasizes Jacob's advanced age and the collective concern of the brothers for their patriarch, setting an empathetic tone for their plea. It acknowledges Jacob's weakness and the dependence of the whole family on his well-being.
• "...and a young brother, the child of his old age; and his brother is dead...": This sequence masterfully portrays Benjamin's unique position. Being "young" and "child of his old age" means he is precious and irreplaceable. The grim addition of "his brother is dead" (referring to Joseph, unknowingly to the brothers) elevates Benjamin to the status of Jacob's last hope for a specific lineage, amplifying the potential for Jacob's utter despair if Benjamin were lost. This tragic element, though rooted in their own past deception, is presented with deep regret.
• "...and he alone is left of his mother’s children, and his father loves him.": These phrases complete the picture of Benjamin as singularly beloved and critical to Jacob's life. "Alone of his mother's children" signifies that Rachel's line now depends solely on him, imbuing Benjamin with exceptional sentimental value to Jacob. The final declaration "his father loves him" summarizes the unbreakable bond, asserting that the very life of the aged patriarch hinges upon this single relationship, making the thought of Benjamin's enslavement utterly devastating.

Genesis 44 19 Bonus section

The details given by Judah in Gen 44:19 are intended to awaken a deep familial sentiment in Joseph. The reference to Benjamin being a "child of his old age" (יֶלֶד זְקֻנִים, yeled zekunim) carries a specific weight in ancient patriarchal societies, where children born late in life were often regarded with particular tenderness and value, symbolizing a lineage continuing beyond natural expectations. The sorrow Jacob felt for the supposed death of Joseph is highlighted as a precursor to the greater, unbearable grief he would experience with Benjamin's loss, underscoring the preciousness of this "last link" to Rachel. The use of "alone" (levaddo) powerfully underscores Benjamin's irreplaceable status in Jacob's life. Judah's detailed and empathetic explanation serves as a model of intercession and highlights a deep respect for his aging father's emotional fragility, contrasting starkly with the brothers' previous disregard for Jacob's feelings regarding Joseph (Genesis 37). This moment serves as a testament to God's refining work in the lives of Jacob's sons.

Genesis 44 19 Commentary

Genesis 44:19 encapsulates the essence of Judah's moving appeal, portraying the vulnerable and interconnected nature of the patriarch Jacob and his beloved youngest son, Benjamin. The careful layering of detail—Jacob's advanced age, Benjamin's youth as a "child of his old age," and the perceived death of Joseph (Rachel's other son)—serves to demonstrate that Jacob's very life force is tied to Benjamin. This verse highlights the profound transformation within the brothers, particularly Judah, who now shows genuine familial loyalty and sacrificial love, contrasting sharply with their previous callous actions toward Joseph. Joseph, hearing this confession of their deep family bonds and the suffering their actions had indirectly caused their father, is brought to a crucial turning point, leading to the ultimate revelation and reconciliation. This plea is not merely about Benjamin's freedom, but about the very life of Jacob and the moral and spiritual recovery of the family.Example: Much like a parent protecting their child from harm, Judah's words convey the father's life being entwined with his child, signifying selfless protection.