Genesis 43:14

14 may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he may send back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."

Genesis 43:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man
Who has the hearts of all men in his hands, kings, princes, governors, even those who are the most cruel and hardhearted, rough and severe in their tempers and dispositions, and such an one they had represented this man to be; one that had spoke roughly to them, and used them roughly: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind, and now he puts up a prayer to God, and dismisses his sons with his good wishes for them, that God would incline the heart of the governor to show kindness to them, and let them have corn, nor use any of them ill: particularly, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin;
release Simeon, and send him and Benjamin aiming with them when they returned: if I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved;
this he said, not as utterly despairing of their return, but as expressive of his patient submission to the divine will, be it as it may be.

Genesis 43:14 In-Context

12 Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money that was returned in the top of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.
13 Take your brother also, and be on your way again to the man;
14 may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he may send back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."
15 So the men took the present, and they took double the money with them, as well as Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Traditional rendering of Heb [El Shaddai]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.