Genesis 43:9

Authorized King James Version

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I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

Original Language Analysis

אָֽנֹכִי֙ H595
אָֽנֹכִי֙
Strong's: H595
Word #: 1 of 14
i
אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ I will be surety H6148
אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ I will be surety
Strong's: H6148
Word #: 2 of 14
to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
מִיָּדִ֖י for him of my hand H3027
מִיָּדִ֖י for him of my hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 3 of 14
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
תְּבַקְשֶׁ֑נּוּ shalt thou require H1245
תְּבַקְשֶׁ֑נּוּ shalt thou require
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 4 of 14
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אִם him if H518
אִם him if
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֨א H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֲבִֽיאֹתִ֤יו I bring H935
הֲבִֽיאֹתִ֤יו I bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 7 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ H413
אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's: H413
Word #: 8 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
וְהִצַּגְתִּ֣יו unto thee and set H3322
וְהִצַּגְתִּ֣יו unto thee and set
Strong's: H3322
Word #: 9 of 14
to place permanently
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ him before thee H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ him before thee
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְחָטָ֥אתִֽי then let me bear the blame H2398
וְחָטָ֥אתִֽי then let me bear the blame
Strong's: H2398
Word #: 11 of 14
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לְךָ֖ H0
לְךָ֖
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 14
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 13 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִֽים׃ for ever H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ for ever
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 14 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Analysis & Commentary

I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set h... 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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