Genesis 43:4

Authorized King James Version

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If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 10
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יֶשְׁךָ֛ If thou wilt H3426
יֶשְׁךָ֛ If thou wilt
Strong's: H3426
Word #: 2 of 10
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
מְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ send H7971
מְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ send
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 3 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָחִ֖ינוּ our brother H251
אָחִ֖ינוּ our brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 5 of 10
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אִתָּ֑נוּ H854
אִתָּ֑נוּ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 6 of 10
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
נֵֽרְדָ֕ה with us we will go down H3381
נֵֽרְדָ֕ה with us we will go down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 7 of 10
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
וְנִשְׁבְּרָ֥ה and buy H7666
וְנִשְׁבְּרָ֥ה and buy
Strong's: H7666
Word #: 8 of 10
to deal in grain
לְךָ֖ H0
לְךָ֖
Strong's: H0
Word #: 9 of 10
אֹֽכֶל׃ thee food H400
אֹֽכֶל׃ thee food
Strong's: H400
Word #: 10 of 10
food

Analysis & Commentary

If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:... 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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