Genesis 42:37

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.

Original Language Analysis

לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
רְאוּבֵן֙ And Reuben H7205
רְאוּבֵן֙ And Reuben
Strong's: H7205
Word #: 2 of 20
reuben, a son of jacob
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
אָבִ֣יו unto his father H1
אָבִ֣יו unto his father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 4 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֔ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 5 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁנֵ֤י my two H8147
שְׁנֵ֤י my two
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 7 of 20
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
בָנַי֙ sons H1121
בָנַי֙ sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 8 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
תָּמִ֔ית Slay H4191
תָּמִ֔ית Slay
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 9 of 20
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 10 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲבִיאֶ֖נּוּ if I bring H935
אֲבִיאֶ֖נּוּ if I bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 12 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֵלֶ֑יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֑יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
תְּנָ֤ה him not to thee deliver H5414
תְּנָ֤ה him not to thee deliver
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 14 of 20
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתוֹ֙ H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָדִ֔י him into my hand H3027
יָדִ֔י him into my hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 17 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַֽאֲנִ֖י H589
וַֽאֲנִ֖י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 18 of 20
i
אֲשִׁיבֶ֥נּוּ and I will bring him to thee again H7725
אֲשִׁיבֶ֥נּוּ and I will bring him to thee again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 19 of 20
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ H413
אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
Strong's: H413
Word #: 20 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to

Analysis & Commentary

And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him ... 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

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources