Genesis 44:31 kjv

It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:31 nkjv

it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:31 niv

sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow.

Genesis 44:31 esv

as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

Genesis 44:31 nlt

If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave.

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 31 Meaning

Genesis 44:31 captures Judah's profound appeal to Joseph, explaining the catastrophic impact Benjamin's detention would have on their aged father, Jacob. It articulates that Jacob's very existence, his 'life' or 'soul' (nephash), is inextricably intertwined with Benjamin's life. If Benjamin does not return, the shock and grief would inevitably lead to Jacob's death. This verse underscores the deep emotional bond and the impending sorrow that would follow Benjamin's loss, framing it as a direct threat to the patriarch's survival. It is a desperate plea stemming from familial love and responsibility.

Genesis 44 31 Context

Genesis chapter 44 is the climax of Joseph's testing of his brothers. After initially sending them away with silver in their sacks and Benjamin's bag holding Joseph's silver cup, he orchestrates their arrest for "theft." This brings the brothers, especially Benjamin, back before Joseph. Judah, having guaranteed Benjamin's safety to Jacob, steps forward to intercede. His passionate speech reveals a transformation in the brothers, particularly Judah himself. He recounts Jacob's profound attachment to Benjamin following the loss of Joseph, which has left Jacob with immense grief. Judah’s plea is deeply emotional, emphasizing the fatal consequences for their aging father if Benjamin were detained, offering himself as a slave in Benjamin's place. The immediate historical context is an encounter in Egypt during a famine, where Jacob's sons are dependent on a powerful Egyptian official (unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph). The cultural context values filial piety and a patriarch's wellbeing, which is central to the family's continuity and identity. The concern for the aging father’s life, despite Jacob's past favoritism, highlights a mature sense of responsibility among the brothers, marking a significant turning point from their past callousness regarding Joseph.

Genesis 44 31 Word analysis

• And if we come back to your servant my father:

  • And if: Hebrew וְהָיָה wə·hā·yāh, a conditional clause. It sets up a dire scenario, not just a hypothetical, but a probable and devastating outcome.
  • your servant my father: Hebrew אֶל־עַבְדְּךָ אָבִי ’el-‘aḇ·də·ḵā ’ā·ḇî. Judah addresses Joseph respectfully as "my lord," and refers to Jacob with a double epithet – "your servant" (out of deference to Joseph's perceived status) and "my father" (conveying deep familial affection and status). This humble yet strong phrasing underscores Jacob's vulnerability and Judah's earnestness. It’s an appeal to Joseph's compassion by highlighting Jacob's age and diminished state.

• and the boy is not with us:

  • the boy: Hebrew הַנַּעַר han·na‘·ar. Refers specifically to Benjamin, Jacob's youngest and only other son by Rachel, after Joseph. This term, "the boy," emphasizes Benjamin's relative youth and also his role as Jacob's dependent.

• since his life is bound up in the boy’s life:

  • his life: Hebrew וְנַפְשׁוֹ wə·naš·šōw. Nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew encompasses more than just "life" as in mere existence; it can mean soul, self, being, breath, desire, emotion. Here, it signifies the core being, the very essence of Jacob's vitality and emotional well-being.
  • is bound up in: Hebrew קְשׁוּרָה qə·šū·rāh, from the root קשר qashar. This word means to bind, tie, conspire. Here it depicts an intense, inseparable emotional connection, almost as if their two souls are interwoven. Jacob's inner vitality, his reason for living, is intrinsically linked to Benjamin’s presence. This goes beyond mere affection; it's existential dependency. It implies that if Benjamin dies or is lost, Jacob’s will to live would cease, causing him to die. It signifies a profound spiritual and emotional entanglement.
  • the boy’s life: Refers again to nephesh, signifying Benjamin's physical presence and existence, which Jacob cannot live without.

Words-group Analysis:

• "your servant my father": This phrase eloquently conveys Jacob's aged vulnerability and his revered status. It appeals to Joseph not just on familial grounds but also to the respect due to an elder patriarch.
• "and the boy is not with us": This short phrase describes the simple condition that would trigger Jacob's demise, emphasizing Benjamin's centrality to Jacob's emotional and physical survival.
• "since his life is bound up in the boy’s life": This powerful metaphor is the core of Judah’s argument. It expresses the depth of Jacob's attachment and dependency on Benjamin, particularly after losing Joseph. It vividly portrays Jacob's remaining "nephesh" or "soul" being psychologically and emotionally fused with Benjamin's existence, making Benjamin's absence an equivalent to his own death sentence. This phrase illustrates an emotional bond so deep that the life of one person (Jacob) is seen as contingent upon the life and presence of another (Benjamin). It resonates with the idea of shared humanity and deep relational ties.

Genesis 44 31 Bonus section

The Hebrew word qashar (קָשַׁר), "bound up," is notably strong. It is often used for physically binding things together (like a sacrifice to an altar or tying cords) or forming a conspiracy, indicating an unbreakable, intentional link. In this context, it depicts not a physical chain but a profound psychological and emotional dependency so intense that Jacob's very spirit would detach from life without Benjamin. This deep soul-tie contrasts with the superficial relationships or rivalries that previously existed between the brothers. The entire chapter, culminating in Judah's speech, serves to prove the brothers' moral and spiritual transformation before Joseph finally reveals himself. This transformation is not just about avoiding punishment but genuinely caring for their father and brother, fulfilling Jacob's deepest needs even without realizing it. Judah’s plea effectively highlights the sanctity of a parent's life and the responsibility of children in upholding it.

Genesis 44 31 Commentary

Genesis 44:31 is the emotional crescendo of Judah's transformed character and his profound intercession for Benjamin. It's not just a plea; it's a diagnostic statement of Jacob’s fragile state, highlighting his absolute emotional dependency on Benjamin. Judah's awareness of Jacob's specific, unique bond with Benjamin – especially given his trauma over Joseph – demonstrates true empathy and responsibility, a far cry from the brothers who callously sold Joseph into slavery. This verse also implicitly honors parental grief, showing the real, often fatal, impact of profound loss on an individual's will to live. It powerfully foreshadows a different kind of bond and self-sacrifice: that of Christ, whose life (spiritual "nephesh") was "bound up" with humanity's need, offering Himself so that those destined for death could find life.

Practical Usage:

• Acknowledges the profound emotional impact of loss on others, particularly parents.
• Highlights the importance of empathetic understanding and bearing one another's burdens (Gal 6:2).
• Illustrates the beauty of intercession, where one identifies with the vulnerability of another and pleads on their behalf.