Genesis 44:24 kjv

And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

Genesis 44:24 nkjv

"So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord.

Genesis 44:24 niv

When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.

Genesis 44:24 esv

"When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

Genesis 44:24 nlt

"So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said.

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 24 Meaning

This verse encapsulates Judah's profound act of relaying to Joseph how they, the brothers, informed their aged father, Jacob, about Joseph's specific instruction to bring Benjamin back to Egypt. It highlights the direct communication of a critical demand that had significant emotional consequences for Jacob. It underscores the sons' compliance with Joseph's command, even in the face of their father's deep distress.

Genesis 44 24 Context

Genesis chapter 44 reaches a poignant climax in the long narrative of Joseph and his brothers. Having returned to Egypt for the second time, Joseph's scheme to test his brothers escalates with the placement of his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, leading to Benjamin being "found guilty" and destined for enslavement. This sets the stage for Judah's unparalleled intercession for Benjamin. This verse (Gen 44:24) specifically marks a crucial moment in Judah's eloquent plea to Joseph (Gen 44:18-34). Judah is systematically recounting the past events, establishing a timeline of obedience and hardship for Joseph. He is explaining the painful necessity of their second return with Benjamin, emphasizing Jacob's age and vulnerability, and his deep affection for his youngest son. Historically, the scene unfolds in ancient Egypt during a severe famine, where Egyptians and their sophisticated legal system governed, and family loyalty, particularly toward the patriarch, was paramount among Hebrew tribes. The profound sorrow Jacob felt over Joseph's supposed death made him exceptionally protective of Benjamin, the only remaining son of Rachel. Judah's recounting aims to elicit compassion from Joseph by highlighting the emotional cost of Joseph's earlier demands on their aging father.

Genesis 44 24 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: Hebrew: וַיְהִי (va-ye-hi). A common narrative connector, introducing an event or progression in time. It means "and it happened," or "and it was." It marks a transition to the next phase of the brothers' experience.
• when we came up: Hebrew: בְּבוֹאֵנוּ (bə-vō-’ê-nū). Refers to their journey back from Egypt to Canaan after their first visit and interaction with Joseph. "Came up" signifies moving geographically from the lower Nile region of Egypt to the higher land of Canaan, or more generally, returning home.
• unto thy servant: Hebrew: אֶל־עַבְדְּךָ (ʾel-ʿav-də-ḵā). Judah uses "your servant" to refer to Jacob, respectfully positioning his father as a subject or inferior in relation to Joseph's status as "lord." This polite deferential term was common in the Ancient Near East to show submission or honor to a superior, even when the person being described (Jacob) was unaware of Joseph's true identity.
• my father: Hebrew: אָבִי (ʾā-vî). A personal and emotionally charged term, adding intimacy and emphasizing Jacob's paternal relationship. It heightens the pathos of Judah's appeal by grounding the distant 'servant' with the concrete reality of his personal 'father'.
• we told him: Hebrew: וַנַּגֶּד־לוֹ (va-nag-ged-lō). From the root נָגַד (nagad), meaning "to declare, inform, report, make known." This indicates a direct, verbal communication of facts. It implies they conveyed the message faithfully, not hiding anything, unlike previous deceptive communications with Jacob (Gen 37).
• the words of my lord: Hebrew: אֶת־דִּבְרֵי אֲדֹנִי (ʾet-diḇ-rê ʾa-ḏō-nî). "The words" (dibre) implies specific instructions or commands. "My lord" (adonai) is Judah's formal address for Joseph, acknowledging his authority and power over them. This phrase specifically refers to Joseph's prior demand that Benjamin be brought to Egypt to prove their honesty (Gen 43:3-5). It establishes that the brothers fully complied with Joseph's decree, showing their good faith.

Words-group Analysis

• "unto thy servant my father": This phrase artfully combines humility ("thy servant") with intimacy ("my father"). Judah elevates Joseph to a position of authority over their father, demonstrating his reverence for Joseph, yet simultaneously paints Jacob as an old, vulnerable patriarch deeply loved by his sons. This serves to tug at Joseph's heartstrings. It subtly reminds Joseph of their respect not only for him but also for Jacob, hoping Joseph will show similar consideration.
• "we told him the words of my lord": This phrase highlights their absolute obedience to Joseph's previous instructions, however difficult those instructions were for Jacob. It showcases the brothers' transformation; they are no longer deceptive with their father as they were when they fabricated Joseph's death (Gen 37). Their clear report emphasizes their newfound truthfulness and responsibility. It sets the scene for Judah's detailed explanation of Jacob's anguish that followed this 'telling'.

Genesis 44 24 Bonus section

• Judah's Redemption Arc: This verse marks another step in Judah's spiritual journey. From the brother who proposed selling Joseph (Gen 37:26-27), he now stands as the protector, faithfully recounting events and taking personal responsibility for Benjamin. This demonstrates a heart transformed, aligned with the future lineage of the Messiah through Judah.
• Oratory Skill: Judah's speech, initiated by this statement, is a masterpiece of Ancient Near Eastern rhetoric, demonstrating humility, clear historical narrative, logical appeal, and powerful emotional persuasion. This highlights the importance of verbal communication and the power of narrative in ancient cultures.
• Divine Hand in the Ordinary: While no miracles are explicitly mentioned in this verse, the entire scenario (famine, travel, demand, report) is subtly guided by God's providence. The very acts of communicating painful truths are instrumental in God's plan for reconciliation and preservation of Jacob's family.
• Contrasting Reports: This honest report to Jacob ("we told him the words") stands in stark contrast to the brothers' earlier deceitful report regarding Joseph's torn coat, which plunged Jacob into long years of grief. It shows the true maturation and repentance in their lives.

Genesis 44 24 Commentary

Genesis 44:24 is a vital thread in the dramatic tapestry of Joseph's family. It’s Judah, now matured and burdened with responsibility, recounting to the powerful Egyptian viceroy (unbeknownst to them, his own brother, Joseph) the moment they, his elder sons, had to deliver a difficult and painful message to their aged father, Jacob. The "words of my lord" specifically refer to Joseph's previous demand for Benjamin to accompany them on their return to Egypt. This recounting isn't merely an act of reporting; it's part of Judah's compelling plea to spare Benjamin and, by extension, save Jacob's life.

This verse reveals several critical aspects:

1. Obedience and Compliance: Despite the immense personal anguish it caused Jacob, the brothers complied with Joseph's demand. This underscores their changed character from the callous men who sold their brother decades prior.
2. Filial Concern: The way Jacob is referenced as "thy servant my father" reveals Judah's deep reverence and love for his father. Judah isn't just delivering information; he's emphasizing the fragility and distress of his patriarch to a powerful ruler. This respect contrasts sharply with their earlier lack of care for their father's feelings regarding Joseph's "death."
3. Laying the Foundation: This short statement lays the groundwork for Judah's subsequent, impassioned and detailed account of Jacob's love for Benjamin and the potentially fatal consequences should Benjamin not return home (Gen 44:27-31). It humanizes their plight and appeals to Joseph's empathy.

Practically, this verse reminds us of:

• The responsibility of delivering difficult truths.
• The importance of understanding and communicating the impact of our demands on others.
• The profound weight of family relationships, particularly between children and elderly parents.
• The path of redemption and transformation for those who were once far from God's ideal.