Genesis 44:29 kjv

And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:29 nkjv

But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'

Genesis 44:29 niv

If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.'

Genesis 44:29 esv

If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.'

Genesis 44:29 nlt

Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave. '

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 29 Meaning

Genesis 44:29 expresses Jacob’s profound fear and desperation regarding Benjamin’s safety. After having lost Joseph and believing Simeon to be imprisoned, Benjamin represented his last tie to his beloved wife Rachel. The verse conveys Jacob's deep conviction that if Benjamin were to suffer harm, the grief would be so overwhelming that it would directly lead to his death, bringing his "gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow," an idiom signifying dying of heartbreak. Judah is recounting Jacob's plea to Joseph, highlighting the immense emotional burden placed on the patriarch.

Genesis 44 29 Context

Genesis 44:29 is part of Judah's climactic speech to Joseph in Egypt. Following Joseph’s earlier instruction for Benjamin to remain a slave for "stealing" Joseph's silver cup, Judah pleads for Benjamin's release. This scene occurs after Benjamin's bag is found to contain Joseph’s personal cup, leading to the brothers’ return to Joseph in despair. The preceding chapters (Gen 42-43) detail the famine, Jacob's initial reluctance to send Benjamin to Egypt, and his ultimate decision out of necessity, fearing that taking Benjamin would mean his death. Judah’s impassioned plea hinges entirely on the potential devastating impact on their aged father, Jacob, directly referencing Jacob’s own words. The entire narrative showcases Joseph’s test of his brothers, particularly their changed character and Judah’s willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin, contrasting sharply with their earlier treatment of Joseph. It’s a moment of high dramatic tension that leads to Joseph finally revealing his identity.

Genesis 44 29 Word analysis

• "then": (וְכִ֤י / vĕ·ḵī) - This conjunctive particle serves to connect the consequence directly to the preceding condition, emphasizing the direct causality Jacob foresees.
• "if you take": (תִּקְחוּ֙ / tik·chū) - The verb highlights an action, a decision on the part of Joseph that, from Jacob’s perspective, would seal his fate.
• "this one": (גַּם־אֶת־זֶ֜ה / gam-et-zeh) - Refers specifically to Benjamin, underscoring his particular importance. He is the youngest and the only remaining son of Rachel after Joseph was believed dead. This reflects deep cultural value placed on continuation of lineage and special affection for the sons of favored wives.
• "also from me": (מֵעִמִּ֛י / mē·‛im·mī) - The "also" ("gam") connects Benjamin's potential loss to the previously assumed loss of Joseph. It portrays a pattern of repeated bereavement in Jacob's life.
• "and harm befalls him": (קָרָ֥אה אֹתֹ֖ו אָסֹ֑ון / qā·rā·’āh ’ō·ṯōh ’ā·sôn) - This phrase uses ’āsôn (אָסֹון), which signifies calamity, disaster, or deadly harm. Jacob isn’t just afraid of an inconvenience; he fears a fatal tragedy, an irreversible loss. This aligns with his deep-seated anxiety about the welfare of Rachel’s children.
• "you will bring my gray hair down": (וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֧ם אֶת־שֵׂיבָתִ֛י / vĕ·hō·raḏ·tem ’eṯ-śê·ḇā·ṯī) -
  • שֵׂיבָה (śêyḇâ): "gray hair" specifically indicates old age, venerable status, and often vulnerability. Jacob is elderly and, without the protection of his favorite sons, feels exposed and near his end. It's a poignant image of a life approaching its conclusion.
  • This is an idiomatic expression. The actions of others (Joseph/his brothers taking Benjamin) are perceived as the direct cause of Jacob's demise.
• "to Sheol": (שְׁאוֹלָ֖ה / šĕ·’ô·lāh) -
  • שְׁאוֹל (šĕʼôl): This Hebrew term primarily refers to the grave, the common abode of all dead in the Old Testament. It signifies the place of departed spirits, not a hell of eternal punishment in the common Christian sense, but a shadowy realm. Here, it signifies actual physical death and burial, not just metaphorical anguish. Jacob believes his grief will be fatal, sending him to the grave.
• "in sorrow": (בְּיָגֹֽון / bə·yā·gōn) -
  • יָגוֹן (yāgôn): This denotes deep grief, sorrow, or lamentation. It emphasizes the profound emotional suffering that would precede and cause his death. It’s not a peaceful passing but one steeped in pain and brokenness.

Words-group analysis:

• "then if you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him": This phrase highlights the cumulative effect of loss on Jacob. "This one also" implies a tragic pattern in his life. The anticipated "harm" suggests Jacob’s perception of a devastating fate for Benjamin, mirroring his unconfirmed fears about Joseph. It captures the climax of Judah’s plea, emphasizing the perceived finality and fatal consequence.
• "you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow": This powerful and emotive idiom illustrates the extreme anguish Jacob anticipates. It’s not just grief; it's a grief so intense it causes death. The phrase "gray hair" makes it personal, speaking of his frail, aged existence, while "Sheol in sorrow" underlines a death caused by profound, unmitigated despair. It communicates the ultimate stakes involved for Jacob. This deeply personal detail, articulated by Judah, powerfully moves Joseph because it reveals the depth of his father's suffering and vulnerability.

Genesis 44 29 Bonus section

• Dramatic Irony: Jacob’s greatest fear of losing Benjamin and being brought down to Sheol in sorrow is voiced to the very son he believed lost, Joseph, who is secretly orchestrating events. This adds a layer of profound dramatic irony, as Joseph, in testing his brothers and Jacob, is simultaneously revealing God’s provident hand to bring about restoration.
• Polemics Against Fatalism: Jacob’s lament highlights a very human despair, almost a fatalistic outlook ("this will happen, and I will die"). Yet, the broader narrative of Genesis consistently demonstrates that even amidst human fear, perceived loss, and desperate situations, God's sovereign plan is unfolding, not subject to human fatalism. He works all things for His good purpose, challenging the idea that circumstances dictate an irreversible, negative outcome without divine intervention.
• Significance of Benjamin's Life: Benjamin’s preservation is paramount, not just for Jacob’s sake, but for the continuity of the tribes of Israel. Without Benjamin's safe return, Jacob's entire family might not have resettled in Egypt under Joseph's protection, potentially altering the entire trajectory of the nation's early development. Benjamin’s safety is intrinsically linked to Israel’s future.
• Jacob's Character Arc: While Genesis depicts Jacob as often prone to fear and relying on human efforts or emotional attachment, this moment serves as a painful culmination of his fears, which God then decisively overturns. This series of events further deepens Jacob's journey of learning to trust God's unseen hand, ultimately transforming his "sorrow" into profound joy (Gen 45:28).

Genesis 44 29 Commentary

Genesis 44:29 reveals the raw depth of Jacob's vulnerability and his profound love for Benjamin, whom he regards as his last remaining connection to Rachel. Judah's recital of his father's words is a desperate and poignant plea, appealing to Joseph's empathy. This verse demonstrates how Jacob, despite having encountered God repeatedly, often still operated out of a human-centric fear and perception of loss. His sorrow over Joseph, having deeply marked him, leads him to conclude that Benjamin’s loss would literally kill him. However, Jacob’s despair is ironically being used by God as part of the intricate plan to bring about a redemptive reunion, not only of family but also of the patriarch with his son whom he believed lost. Judah’s unwavering pledge, even to sacrifice himself, underscores his transformative growth and willingness to protect his family, especially Benjamin. Ultimately, Jacob's fear of Sheol "in sorrow" is transformed into joy when he reunites with Joseph and Benjamin, showcasing God’s faithfulness in turning sorrow into comfort and fear into profound blessing, proving His plans are far beyond human comprehension or despair.