Genesis 43:8

Authorized King James Version

And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוּדָ֜ה

H3063

And Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל

H3478

unto Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אָבִ֗יו

his father

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

שִׁלְחָ֥ה

H7971

Send

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

הַנַּ֛עַר

H5288

the lad

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

אִתִּ֖י

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

וְנָק֣וּמָה

H6965

with me and we will arise

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#10

וְנֵלֵ֑כָה

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#11

וְנִֽחְיֶה֙

H2421

that we may live

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

#12

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#13

נָמ֔וּת

H4191

and not die

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#14

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#15

אֲנַ֥חְנוּ

H587

#16

גַם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#17

אַתָּ֖ה

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

#18

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#19

טַפֵּֽנוּ׃

H2945

both we and thou and also our little ones

a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Genesis.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 43 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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