Genesis 44:23

Authorized King James Version

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And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

Original Language Analysis

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ And thou saidst H559
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ And thou saidst
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 13
to say (used with great latitude)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 2 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ unto thy servants H5650
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ unto thy servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 3 of 13
a servant
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 4 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֥א Except H3808
לֹ֥א Except
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵרֵ֛ד come down H3381
יֵרֵ֛ד come down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 6 of 13
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
אֲחִיכֶ֥ם brother H251
אֲחִיכֶ֥ם brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 7 of 13
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַקָּטֹ֖ן your youngest H6996
הַקָּטֹ֖ן your youngest
Strong's: H6996
Word #: 8 of 13
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
אִתְּכֶ֑ם H854
אִתְּכֶ֑ם
Strong's: H854
Word #: 9 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
לֹ֥א Except H3808
לֹ֥א Except
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תֹֽסִפ֖וּן H3254
תֹֽסִפ֖וּן
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 11 of 13
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
לִרְא֥וֹת no more H7200
לִרְא֥וֹת no more
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 12 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פָּנָֽי׃ my face H6440
פָּנָֽי׃ my face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 13 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my ... 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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