Genesis 44:26

Authorized King James Version

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And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

Original Language Analysis

וַנֹּ֕אמֶר And we said H559
וַנֹּ֕אמֶר And we said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נוּכַ֗ל We cannot H3201
נוּכַ֗ל We cannot
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 3 of 20
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ go down H3381
וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ go down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 4 of 20
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
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יֵשׁ֩ be H3426
יֵשׁ֩ be
Strong's: H3426
Word #: 6 of 20
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
וְאָחִ֥ינוּ brother H251
וְאָחִ֥ינוּ brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 7 of 20
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַקָּטֹ֖ן if our youngest H6996
הַקָּטֹ֖ן if our youngest
Strong's: H6996
Word #: 8 of 20
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
אִתָּ֙נוּ֙ H854
אִתָּ֙נוּ֙
Strong's: H854
Word #: 9 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ go down H3381
וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ go down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 10 of 20
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
כִּי H3588
כִּי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נוּכַ֗ל We cannot H3201
נוּכַ֗ל We cannot
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 13 of 20
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לִרְאוֹת֙ not see H7200
לִרְאוֹת֙ not see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פְּנֵ֣י face H6440
פְּנֵ֣י face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 15 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָאִ֔ישׁ the man's H376
הָאִ֔ישׁ the man's
Strong's: H376
Word #: 16 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְאָחִ֥ינוּ brother H251
וְאָחִ֥ינוּ brother
Strong's: H251
Word #: 17 of 20
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַקָּטֹ֖ן if our youngest H6996
הַקָּטֹ֖ן if our youngest
Strong's: H6996
Word #: 18 of 20
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ except H369
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ except
Strong's: H369
Word #: 19 of 20
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
אִתָּֽנוּ׃ H854
אִתָּֽנוּ׃
Strong's: H854
Word #: 20 of 20
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

Analysis & Commentary

And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may... 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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