Genesis 42:22

Authorized King James Version

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And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּעַן֩ answered H6030
וַיַּעַן֩ answered
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 1 of 17
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
רְאוּבֵ֨ן And Reuben H7205
רְאוּבֵ֨ן And Reuben
Strong's: H7205
Word #: 2 of 17
reuben, a son of jacob
אֹתָ֜ם H853
אֹתָ֜ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I H559
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I
Strong's: H559
Word #: 4 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
הֲלוֹא֩ H3808
הֲלוֹא֩
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I H559
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I
Strong's: H559
Word #: 6 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
אֲלֵיכֶ֧ם׀ H413
אֲלֵיכֶ֧ם׀
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I H559
לֵאמֹ֛ר Spake I
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 9 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֶּֽחֶטְא֥וּ Do not sin H2398
תֶּֽחֶטְא֥וּ Do not sin
Strong's: H2398
Word #: 10 of 17
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
בַיֶּ֖לֶד against the child H3206
בַיֶּ֖לֶד against the child
Strong's: H3206
Word #: 11 of 17
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם and ye would not hear H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם and ye would not hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 13 of 17
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְגַם H1571
וְגַם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
דָּמ֖וֹ therefore behold also his blood H1818
דָּמ֖וֹ therefore behold also his blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 15 of 17
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
הִנֵּ֥ה H2009
הִנֵּ֥ה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 16 of 17
lo!
נִדְרָֽשׁ׃ is required H1875
נִדְרָֽשׁ׃ is required
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

Analysis & Commentary

And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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