Genesis 44:32

Authorized King James Version

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For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַבְדְּךָ֙ For thy servant H5650
עַבְדְּךָ֙ For thy servant
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 2 of 16
a servant
עָרַ֣ב became surety H6148
עָרַ֣ב became surety
Strong's: H6148
Word #: 3 of 16
to braid, i.e., intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַנַּ֔עַר for the lad H5288
הַנַּ֔עַר for the lad
Strong's: H5288
Word #: 5 of 16
(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
מֵעִ֥ם unto H5973
מֵעִ֥ם unto
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 6 of 16
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לְאָבִ֖י my father H1
לְאָבִ֖י my father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 7 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying H559
לֵאמֹ֑ר saying
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 16
to say (used with great latitude)
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 9 of 16
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲבִיאֶ֙נּוּ֙ If I bring H935
אֲבִיאֶ֙נּוּ֙ If I bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 11 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֵלֶ֔יךָ H413
אֵלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
וְחָטָ֥אתִי him not unto thee then I shall bear the blame H2398
וְחָטָ֥אתִי him not unto thee then I shall bear the blame
Strong's: H2398
Word #: 13 of 16
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לְאָבִ֖י my father H1
לְאָבִ֖י my father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 14 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 15 of 16
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 #: 16 of 16
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

For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then... 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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