Genesis 44:20 kjv

And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

Genesis 44:20 nkjv

And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'

Genesis 44:20 niv

And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'

Genesis 44:20 esv

And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'

Genesis 44:20 nlt

And we responded, 'Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him very much.'

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 20 Meaning

Gen 44:20 conveys Judah's poignant plea to Joseph, the Egyptian viceroy, emphasizing the precarious situation of their aged father Jacob should Benjamin, the youngest brother, not return with them. Judah explains that Jacob holds Benjamin in unique esteem, not only because he is the "child of his old age" but, more crucially, because his older brother (Joseph) is believed to be dead. This makes Benjamin, in Jacob's mind, the last surviving son of his beloved wife Rachel, leading to a profound, almost life-or-death, attachment. Judah portrays Jacob as a fragile "old man" whose demise would surely follow the loss of Benjamin, aiming to evoke compassion from Joseph and secure Benjamin's release.

Genesis 44 20 Context

Gen 44:20 occurs as part of Judah's eloquent and emotionally charged speech (Gen 44:18-34) to Joseph, the viceroy of Egypt, whom the brothers do not yet recognize. The entire chapter serves as the dramatic climax of Joseph's testing of his brothers, designed to reveal their transformation since they sold him into slavery. After the silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack, he is seemingly condemned to servitude, prompting Judah's selfless intervention. Judah recounts the brothers' initial conversations with Joseph (Gen 43:3-7) regarding Benjamin's necessity to their father, and in this verse specifically details the profound attachment Jacob has for Benjamin, describing him as the sole remaining child of his favorite wife, Rachel, especially after the presumed death of Joseph. Judah's willingness to sacrifice his own freedom for Benjamin's release and for the sake of his father's life signifies a profound change in the brothers' character and moral compass. This moment of intercession paves the way for Joseph's revelation of his true identity and the family's reconciliation.

Genesis 44 20 Word analysis

• And we said to my lord (וַנֹּאמַר אֶל־אֲדֹנִי):

  • וַנֹּאמַר (vannō'mar): "And we said." A Hebrew waw-consecutive imperfect, carrying the narrative forward. It reflects Judah's unified voice, speaking for the brothers, signifying collective responsibility.
  • אֶל־אֲדֹנִי (ʾel-ʾaḏōnī): "to my lord." The use of adon as a respectful title underscores Joseph's authority and the deference Judah shows, unaware that he is appealing to his younger brother. This politeness sets the formal tone for his solemn appeal.

• ‘We have a father (יֶשׁ־לָנוּ אָב):

  • יֶשׁ־לָנוּ (yesh-lānū): "We have." A simple possessive clause establishing the familial foundation of their situation.
  • אָב (ʾaḇ): "a father." Refers to Jacob. The emphasis is on the profound paternal bond, not merely a genealogical connection, critical for understanding the emotional plea.

• an old man (זָקֵן):

  • זָקֵן (zāqēn): "old man." This adjective emphasizes Jacob's advanced age and implies his physical and emotional vulnerability. It portrays him as frail and susceptible to deep grief, preparing Joseph for the dire consequences of Benjamin's potential loss.

• and a young brother (וְיֶלֶד קָטֹן):

  • וְיֶלֶד (vəyelled): "and a child." Introduces Benjamin as youthful.
  • קָטֹן (qāṭōn): "young," "little," or "small." Stresses Benjamin's tender age compared to his elder brothers, highlighting his innocence and greater need for protection.

• the child of his old age (זְקֻנִים לוֹ):

  • זְקֻנִים (zeqūnim): "of old age," more precisely "son of old age." This phrase specifically denotes Benjamin as a son born when his father, Jacob, was already aged. It signals Benjamin's special status as a unique gift from God in Jacob's twilight years, a cherished and precious child given later in life, particularly after long waiting for children from Rachel.
  • לוֹ (lo): "to him" or "for him." Further emphasizes this son's unique belonging and significance to Jacob.

• His brother is dead (אָחִיו מֵת):

  • אָחִיו (ʾaḥîw): "His brother." This directly refers to Joseph.
  • מֵת (mēt): "is dead." This verb in the perfect tense describes a completed past event. This statement carries immense irony, spoken directly to Joseph, who is very much alive. It highlights the brothers' sustained deception and the deeply held sorrow of Jacob.

• and he alone is left of his mother's children (וְהוּא לְבַדּוֹ נִשְׁאַר מֵאִמּוֹ):

  • וְהוּא (vəhūʾ): "And he." Emphatically points to Benjamin.
  • לְבַדּוֹ (ləvaḏō): "alone," "by himself." A crucial word underlining Benjamin's solitary status in Jacob's affection as the only surviving child of Rachel. This emphasizes his irreplaceable nature.
  • נִשְׁאַר (nišʾar): "is left," "remains." Indicates Benjamin's status as the sole survivor from a particular lineage.
  • מֵאִמּוֹ (mēʾimmō): "of his mother." Explicitly refers to Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, highlighting the deep emotional connection Jacob had to her and consequently, to her surviving son, Benjamin.

• and his father loves him (וְאָבִיו אֲהֵבוֹ):

  • וְאָבִיו (vəʾāḇîw): "And his father." Reconfirms the direct relationship to Jacob.
  • אֲהֵבוֹ (ʾaḥēvō): "loves him." A straightforward yet powerful statement of profound paternal affection. This intense love, intensified by past loss, underscores Judah's argument that Benjamin's permanent absence would be fatal for Jacob. This highlights a shift in Jacob's intense favoritism from Joseph to Benjamin.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "We have a father, an old man": This phrase immediately establishes Jacob's vulnerable state due to advanced age and accumulated sorrows. Judah leverages this to build sympathy, indicating Jacob's physical and emotional fragility.
• "and a young brother, the child of his old age": This combination paints Benjamin as both youthful and profoundly cherished. "Child of his old age" conveys Benjamin's unique significance, not merely because of his birth when Jacob was elderly but also his distinct position as Rachel's last living son, intensifying Jacob's affection and protective instinct.
• "His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children": This is the emotional linchpin of Judah's plea. It is a factual recounting (from their perspective) of Jacob's deepest tragedy—Joseph's death—and explains why Benjamin's unique status as the only surviving son of Rachel renders him irreplaceable. The dramatic irony here is palpable as Joseph, the presumed dead brother, listens to this confession of their past deceit and Jacob's ongoing pain.
• "and his father loves him": This succinct declaration encapsulates the core of Jacob's profound emotional bond with Benjamin. It highlights an intense and almost possessive affection that, combined with the earlier loss, makes Benjamin's life directly proportional to Jacob's very existence and well-being. Judah's articulate explanation of this deep love for Benjamin by Jacob illustrates the extent of their repentance and transformation.

Genesis 44 20 Bonus section

The Hebrew phrase for "child of his old age," ben zekunim (בן זקנים), carries more weight than just denoting birth at an advanced paternal age. It can signify a "beloved son" or a "special son" receiving particular favor, perhaps reflecting a heightened sense of blessing or emotional investment given his birth in advanced years. This usage closely parallels Jacob's initial favoritism toward Joseph, the firstborn of Rachel, describing a unique parental affection that Benjamin has now inherited in Joseph's stead. The profound contrast between the brothers' callous actions towards Joseph (Gen 37) and Judah's earnest, self-sacrificing appeal for Benjamin's return in Gen 44 demonstrates a spiritual and moral regeneration within the family. This narrative pivot underscores the Bible's broader theme of repentance, redemption, and the sovereign hand of God orchestrating circumstances for the ultimate good, leading to the preservation of Jacob's lineage and the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.

Genesis 44 20 Commentary

Gen 44:20 stands as a masterstroke of rhetorical persuasion by Judah, offering profound insight into Jacob's enduring sorrow and his intense attachment to Benjamin. The statement "His brother is dead" is pregnant with irony and reveals the long-carried guilt of the brothers, which now translates into genuine concern for their father. This deep bond between Jacob and Benjamin, stemming from Benjamin being Rachel's sole surviving child (as Jacob believed), underscores the testing that Joseph puts his brothers through. Joseph observes if they show the same loyalty and protective instinct for Benjamin as they failed to show for him. Judah's speech, peaking with this verse, showcases a transformed heart, a stark contrast to his earlier participation in Joseph's sale. This verse, therefore, highlights themes of fatherly love, the painful consequences of deception, the weight of guilt, and, most importantly, the blossoming of selfless responsibility and intercession, setting the stage for divine reconciliation and the preservation of Jacob's household, forming the bedrock for the future nation of Israel. It serves as a testament to God's providence, working through human failures and repentance to bring about His perfect will.