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If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/01_Gen_42_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:38 - Joseph's Brothers Return to Canaan" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Jacob replied, My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/42-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/42-38.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/42.htm">Chapter 42</a> > Verse 38</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/42-37.htm" title="Genesis 42:37">◄</a> Genesis 42:38 <a href="/genesis/43-1.htm" title="Genesis 43:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/42.htm">New International Version</a> But Jacob said, &#8220My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down with you. His brother Joseph is dead, and he is all I have left. If anything should happen to him on your journey, you would send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave.” <a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a> But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. If harm should happen to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a> But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should happen to him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Jacob said, &#8220My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone remains. If harm should befall him on the journey on which you are going, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” <a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down [to Egypt] with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left [of Rachel’s children]. If any harm or accident should happen to him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in sorrow.” <a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jacob answered, “My son will not go down with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If anything happens to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hairs down to Sheol in sorrow.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jacob answered, &#8220My son will not go down with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If anything happens to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hairs down to Sheol in sorrow.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left: if harm befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol. <a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But Jacob said, "I won't let my son Benjamin go down to Egypt with the rest of you. His brother is already dead, and he is the only son I have left. I am an old man, and if anything happens to him on the way, I'll die from sorrow, and all of you will be to blame." <a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. <a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Jacob replied, "My son will not go with you. His brother is dead, and he's the only one left. If any harm comes to him on the trip you're taking, the grief would drive this gray-haired old man to his grave!" <a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a> But Jacob said, "My son cannot go with you; his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. Something might happen to him on the way. I am an old man, and the sorrow you would cause me would kill me." <a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Jacob replied, "My son isn't going back with you, since his brother is dead and he's the only one left. If something should harm him as you travel, then it'll be death for me and my sad, gray hair!" <a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Jacob replied, ?My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.? <a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a> But Jacob replied, "My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair in sorrow to the grave." <a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But he said, "My son will not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should happen to him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol." <a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief shall befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. <a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a> He said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left. If harm happens to him along the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he says, “My son does not go down with you, for his brother [is] dead, and he by himself is left; when harm has met him in the way in which you go, then you have brought down my grey hairs in sorrow to Sheol.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he saith, 'My son doth not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he by himself is left; when mischief hath met him in the way in which ye go, then ye have brought down my grey hairs in sorrow to sheol.' <a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say, My son shall not go down with you, for his brother died, and he alone was left: and harm meeting him in the way in which ye shall go, and ye bring down my old age with grief to hades.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But he said: My son shall not go down with you: his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if any mischief befall him in the land to which you go, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to hell. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But he said: “My son will not go down with you. His brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any adversity will befall him in the land to which you travel, you would lead my grey hairs down with sorrow to the grave.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a> But Jacob replied: “My son shall not go down with you. Now that his brother is dead, he is the only one left. If some disaster should befall him on the journey you must make, you would send my white head down to Sheol in grief.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should come to him on the journey that you are to make, you would bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left to his mother: if misfortune should befall him by the way in which you go, then you shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said, “My son will not go down with you, because his brother is dead, and he alone is left to his mother, and calamity will come to him on the road that you will travel, and my old age will go down in misery to Sheol.” <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he said: 'My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left; if harm befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. <a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But he said, My son shall not go down with you, because his brother is dead, and he only has been left; and suppose it shall come to pass that he is afflicted by the way by which ye go, then ye shall bring down my old age with sorrow to Hades. <a href="/parallel/genesis/42-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=11079" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Return to Canaan</a> …37Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I fail to bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him.” 38<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But Jacob replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">“My son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yê·rêḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To come or go down, descend. ">go down there</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mêṯ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is dead,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">and he</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: lə·ḇad·dōw (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">alone</a> <a href="/hebrew/7604.htm" title="7604: niš·’ār (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To remain, be left over. A primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. Be redundant.">is left.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: ū·qə·rā·’ā·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms:: 3ms) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">If any harm comes</a> <a href="/hebrew/611.htm" title="611: ’ā·sō·wn (N-ms) -- Mischief, evil, harm. Of uncertain derivation; hurt."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">to him on your</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: tê·lə·ḵū- (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk."></a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bad·de·reḵ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">journey,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7872.htm" title="7872: śê·ḇā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Hoary head, old age. Feminine of seyb; old age.">you will bring my gray hair</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: wə·hō·w·raḏ·tem (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·w·lāh (N-cs:: 3fs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">to Sheol</a> <a href="/hebrew/3015.htm" title="3015: bə·yā·ḡō·wn (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Grief, sorrow. From yagah; affliction.">in sorrow.”</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/37-33.htm">Genesis 37:33-35</a> His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” / Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. / All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him. <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Genesis 44:29-31</a> Now if you also take this one from me and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’ / So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, / sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. <a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3-4</a> Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Genesis 44:20</a> And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ <a href="/genesis/43-14.htm">Genesis 43:14</a> May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” <a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a> So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Genesis 37:31-32</a> Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. / They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-34</a> Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ ... <a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Genesis 43:8-9</a> And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. / I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life. <a href="/genesis/45-28.htm">Genesis 45:28</a> “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.” <a href="/genesis/46-30.htm">Genesis 46:30</a> Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!” <a href="/1_samuel/18-1.htm">1 Samuel 18:1-3</a> After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. <a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">2 Samuel 18:33</a> The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” <a href="/1_kings/3-26.htm">1 Kings 3:26</a> Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” <a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Matthew 2:18</a> “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which you go, then shall you bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.his brother.<a href="/genesis/42-13.htm">Genesis 42:13</a> And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.<a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22-24</a> And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb… <a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16-18</a> And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour… if mischief.<a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Genesis 42:4</a> But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.<a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Genesis 44:29</a> And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.bring.<a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a> And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.<a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Genesis 44:29,31</a> And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave… <a href="/1_kings/2-6.htm">1 Kings 2:6</a> Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Befall</a> <a href="/genesis/42-32.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/42-31.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/zechariah/6-3.htm">Gray</a> <a href="/hosea/7-9.htm">Grey</a> <a href="/genesis/41-14.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Hairs</a> <a href="/john/14-29.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/38-2.htm">Met</a> <a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/genesis/41-52.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Underworld</a> <a href="/genesis/42-33.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Befall</a> <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/genesis/43-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Gray</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Grey</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Hairs</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Happens</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/genesis/45-25.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/43-15.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Met</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Underworld</a> <a href="/genesis/43-7.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div>1. <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a> 24. <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But Jacob replied Jacob, also known as Israel, is the patriarch of the Israelite tribes. His response here is significant as it reflects his protective nature and deep concern for his family. This moment occurs during a severe famine, highlighting the dire circumstances that have led his sons to seek grain in Egypt.“My son will not go down there with you Jacob refers to Benjamin, his youngest son, whom he is reluctant to send to Egypt. This reflects Jacob's fear of losing another beloved son, as he believes Joseph, Benjamin's full brother, is dead. The phrase "go down" is geographically accurate, as Canaan is at a higher elevation than Egypt.for his brother is dead Jacob believes Joseph, Benjamin's brother, is dead, having been deceived by his other sons who sold Joseph into slavery. This belief has shaped Jacob's protective attitude towards Benjamin, as Joseph and Benjamin were the only sons of his favored wife, Rachel.and he alone is left Jacob's statement underscores his perception that Benjamin is the last remaining link to Rachel. This highlights the familial tensions and favoritism that have been a recurring theme in Jacob's life, affecting his relationships with his other sons.If any harm comes to him on your journey Jacob's fear for Benjamin's safety is palpable. The journey to Egypt was fraught with potential dangers, including bandits and the harsh desert environment. This concern reflects the broader biblical theme of the vulnerability of God's people in a fallen world.you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.” "Gray hair" symbolizes old age and wisdom, but here it also conveys Jacob's vulnerability and the depth of his grief. "Sheol" is the Hebrew term for the grave or the abode of the dead, indicating that Jacob believes the loss of Benjamin would lead to his own death from sorrow. This phrase captures the profound emotional weight of familial loss and the hope for redemption and restoration, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a> The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, father of Joseph and Benjamin. In <a href="/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38</a>, he is deeply concerned about the safety of his youngest son, Benjamin, after losing Joseph, whom he believes to be dead. 2. <a href="/topical/b/benjamin.htm">Benjamin</a> The youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and Joseph's only full brother. Jacob is protective of him, fearing for his life if he were to travel to Egypt. 3. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Joseph is the governor of Egypt and the brother whom Jacob believes is dead. His presence looms over the account as his brothers have gone to Egypt to buy grain. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where Joseph has risen to power and where Jacob's sons have gone to buy grain during the famine. 5. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A severe famine has struck the land, forcing Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt for food, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/p/parental_protection_and_fear.htm">Parental Protection and Fear</a> Jacob's fear for Benjamin's safety reflects a parent's natural instinct to protect their children. This can remind us of God's protective nature over His children. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Despite Jacob's fear and grief, the account of Joseph shows that God is sovereign and can bring good out of difficult circumstances. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_favoritism.htm">The Cost of Favoritism</a> Jacob's favoritism towards Joseph and Benjamin causes tension and division within the family, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of favoritism. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_times_of_famine.htm">Faith in Times of Famine</a> The physical famine in the account can be a metaphor for spiritual famine, encouraging believers to seek God as their source of sustenance and hope. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_sacrifice.htm">The Role of Sacrifice</a> Judah's later willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin foreshadows Christ's ultimate sacrifice, teaching us about selflessness and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a> <a href="/q/who_accuses_the_brethren_nonstop.htm">Is God only for the living, not the dead?</a> <a href="/q/do_genesis_37_customs_match_ancient_practices.htm">(Genesis 37:34-35) Do the customs of mourning described align with verifiable ancient practices, or do they hint at anachronistic traditions introduced later?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_genesis_44_align_with_earlier_chapters.htm">How do the events in Genesis 44 fit coherently with earlier chapters in Genesis, given the discrepancies in character motivations and the sudden moral tension introduced by Joseph's actions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) Then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.--Heb., to Sheol (See Note on <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm" title="And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave to my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.">Genesis 37:35</a>). Jacob, both here and in <a href="/genesis/47-9.htm" title="And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.">Genesis 47:9</a>, speaks as one on whom sorrow had pressed very heavily. Always of a timid and affection Ate disposition, he looks onward now without hope, and sees in the future only dangers and ill-fortune. Probably by this time he had lost Leah as well as Rachel, but the blow that had struck him utterly down had evidently been the loss of Joseph, in whom Rachel had still seemed to live on for him. And therefore now he clung the more warmly to Benjamin, and it is plain that the father's deep sorrow for the loss of the petted son had softened the hearts of his brethren. They have no grudge against Benjamin because he has taken Joseph's place, but rather seem to share in their father's feelings, and their hearts were in accordance with what Judah says in <a href="/context/genesis/44-18.htm" title="Then Judah came near to him, and said, Oh my lord, let your servant, I pray you, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant: for you are even as Pharaoh.">Genesis 44:18-34</a>, that any personal suffering would be cheerfully borne by them, rather than to have to undergo the sight of the repetition of such grief as they previously had themselves inflicted.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 38. - And he (i.e. Jacob) said, My son shall not go down with you; - not because he could not trust Reuben after the sin described in <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a> (Wordsworth), or because he could not assent to Reuben's proposal (Ainsworth), but because of what is next stated - for his brother (i.e. by the same mother, viz., Joseph) is dead (cf. ver. 13; 37:33; 44:28), and he is left alone: - i.e. he alone (of Rachel's children) is left as a survivor - if mischief befall him (literally, and mischief shall befall him) by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye (literally, and ye shall) bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave - Sheol (cf. <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a>). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But Jacob replied, וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “My son בְּנִ֖י (bə·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son will not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no go down there יֵרֵ֥ד (yê·rêḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend with you, עִמָּכֶ֑ם (‘im·mā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction his brother אָחִ֨יו (’ā·ḥîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) is dead, מֵ֜ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> To die, to kill and he וְה֧וּא (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are alone לְבַדּ֣וֹ (lə·ḇad·dōw) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_905.htm">Strong's 905: </a> Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of is left. נִשְׁאָ֗ר (niš·’ār) Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7604.htm">Strong's 7604: </a> To swell up, be, redundant If any harm comes וּקְרָאָ֤הוּ (ū·qə·rā·’ā·hū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7122.htm">Strong's 7122: </a> To encounter, befall to him on your אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that journey, בַּדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ (bad·de·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action you will bring my gray hairs שֵׂיבָתִ֛י (śê·ḇā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7872.htm">Strong's 7872: </a> Hoary head, old age down וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֧ם (wə·hō·w·raḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend to Sheol שְׁאֽוֹלָה׃ (šə·’ō·w·lāh) Noun - common singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> Underworld (place to which people descend at death) in sorrow.” בְּיָג֖וֹן (bə·yā·ḡō·wn) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3015.htm">Strong's 3015: </a> Grief, sorrow <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/42-38.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:38 He said My son shall not go (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/43-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 43:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>