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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 44:26 But we answered, 'We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/44-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/01_Gen_44_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 44:26 - Judah Pleads for Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But we answered, 'We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.'" /><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/44-26.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/44-26.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/44.htm">Chapter 44</a> > Verse 26</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="/ad6.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/44-25.htm" title="Genesis 44:25">◄</a> Genesis 44:26 <a href="/genesis/44-27.htm" title="Genesis 44:27">►</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"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/44.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/44.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But we said, &#8216We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man&#8217s face unless our youngest brother is with us.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />we replied, ‘We can’t go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We’ll never get to see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we answered, ‘We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>be</i> with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But we said, ‘We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man’s face unless our youngest brother <i>is</i> with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But we said, &#8216We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man&#8217s face unless our youngest brother is with us.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man’s face if our youngest brother is not with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But we said, ‘We cannot go down [to Egypt]. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down [there]; for we [were sternly told that we] cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We told him, ‘We cannot go down unless our younger brother goes with us. If our younger brother isn’t with us, we cannot see the man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We told him, &#8216We cannot go down unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother isn&#8217t with us, we cannot see the man.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But we told him, "We can't go back to Egypt without our youngest brother. We will never be let in to see the governor, unless he is with us." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We answered, 'We can't go back. We can only go back if our youngest brother is with us. The man won't see us unless our youngest brother is with us.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We answered, 'We cannot go; we will not be admitted to the man's presence unless our youngest brother is with us. We can go only if our youngest brother goes also.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"But we told him, 'We can't go back there. If our youngest brother accompanies us, we'll go back, but we cannot see the man's face again unless our youngest brother accompanies us.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we answered, ?We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But we replied, 'We cannot go down there. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go, for we won't be permitted to see the man's face if our youngest brother is not with us.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />We said, 'We can?t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down, for we cannot see the man?s face unless our youngest brother is with us.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother shall be with us, then will we go down; for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother shall be with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />We said, ‘We can’t go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down: for we may not see the man’s face, unless our youngest brother is with us.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and we say, We are not able to go down; if our young brother is with us, then we have gone down; for we are not able to see the man’s face, and our young brother not with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and we say, We are not able to go down; if our young brother is with us, then we have gone down; for we are not able to see the man's face, and our young brother not with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And we shall say, We shall not be able to go down: if our little brother is with us, and we will go down; for we shall not be able to see the man's face, and our little brother not with us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And we said to him: We cannot go: if our youngest brother go down with us, we will set out together: otherwise, without him we dare not see the man's face. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And we said to him: ‘We cannot go. If our youngest brother descends with us, we will set out together. Otherwise, in his absence, we do not dare to see the face of the man.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So we reminded him, ‘We cannot go down there; only if our youngest brother is with us can we go, for we may not see the man if our youngest brother is not with us.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />we said, ‘We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother goes with us, will we go down; for we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And we said to our father, We cannot go down; if our youngest brother goes down with us, then we will go down; for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And we were saying to our father, ‘We cannot go down; if our little brother will go down with us, we will go down, because we cannot see the face of the man when our little brother is not with us.’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And we said, We shall not be able to go down; but if our younger brother go down with us, we will go down; for we shall not be able to see the man's face, our younger brother not being with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/44-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=11611" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/44.htm">Judah Pleads for Benjamin</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy us some food.’ <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wan·nō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But we answered,</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.">‘We cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: nū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: lā·re·ḏeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come or go down, descend. ">go down there</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">unless</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: haq·qā·ṭōn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">our younger</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: wə·yā·raḏ·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">goes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with us.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: haq·qā·ṭōn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">So if our younger</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: wə·’ā·ḥî·nū (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ê·nen·nū (Adv:: 3ms) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with us,</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.">we cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: nū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: lir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">see</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: hā·’îš (Art:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">the man.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>And your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">Genesis 43:3-5</a></span><br />But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. / But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-33.htm">Genesis 37:33-35</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-4.htm">Genesis 42:4</a></span><br />But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that harm might befall him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/43-14.htm">Genesis 43:14</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-28.htm">Genesis 45:28</a></span><br />“Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-29.htm">Genesis 46:29-30</a></span><br />Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. / Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-21</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a></span><br />Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-7.htm">Deuteronomy 6:7</a></span><br />And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-22.htm">1 Samuel 1:22</a></span><br />but Hannah did not go. “After the boy is weaned,” she said to her husband, “I will take him to appear before the LORD and to stay there permanently.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">1 Kings 2:19</a></span><br />So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3-5</a></span><br />Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. / Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. / Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-6.htm">Proverbs 17:6</a></span><br />Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15</a></span><br />“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-4.htm">Genesis 43:4,5</a></b></br> If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-7.htm">Luke 11:7</a></b></br> And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/44-22.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/44-23.htm">Except</a> <a href="/james/1-7.htm">Expect</a> <a href="/genesis/44-23.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/40-14.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/genesis/44-23.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/genesis/44-23.htm">Young</a> <a href="/genesis/44-23.htm">Youngest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/47-18.htm">Except</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-4.htm">Expect</a> <a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Face</a> <a href="/exodus/7-15.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/exodus/3-19.htm">Unless</a> <a href="/genesis/48-19.htm">Young</a> <a href="/joshua/6-26.htm">Youngest</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 44</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Joseph's policy to stay his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/44-6.htm">The silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">They are brought before Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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/44.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/44.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But we answered</b><br>This phrase refers to the response given by the brothers of Joseph to their father, Jacob. It highlights the dialogue and negotiation that took place between them. The context is the brothers' return to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. This response is part of a larger narrative where Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian official, tests his brothers' integrity and repentance.<p><b>We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us</b><br>The "younger brother" refers to Benjamin, the only full brother of Joseph. Joseph had insisted that Benjamin be brought to Egypt as a condition for the brothers to prove their honesty. This demand was a test of their loyalty and repentance, as they had previously sold Joseph into slavery. The phrase underscores the importance of family unity and trust, which are central themes in the narrative. It also foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and restoration of the family.<p><b>So if our younger brother is not with us,</b><br>This condition set by Joseph was a strategic move to ensure that his brothers had changed since their betrayal. It also served to bring Benjamin, whom Joseph had not seen for many years, to Egypt. The emphasis on Benjamin's presence highlights the special bond between Joseph and Benjamin, both sons of Rachel. This part of the narrative illustrates the theme of testing and proving one's character, which is prevalent throughout the Bible.<p><b>We cannot see the man</b><br>"The man" refers to Joseph, who was unrecognized by his brothers due to his Egyptian attire and position. This phrase indicates the authority and power Joseph held in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. It also reflects the brothers' fear and respect for Joseph's position. The inability to "see the man" without Benjamin signifies the barriers that sin and deception create, which can only be overcome through truth and reconciliation. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus Christ is seen as the mediator who reconciles humanity to God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>- One of Jacob's sons, who speaks on behalf of his brothers to their father, Jacob, about the conditions set by the Egyptian ruler (Joseph) for their return.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>- The patriarch of the family, who is hesitant to send his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>- The governor of Egypt, who is testing his brothers' integrity and repentance by demanding that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/benjamin.htm">Benjamin</a></b><br>- The youngest son of Jacob, whose presence is required by Joseph for the brothers to return to Egypt.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>- The land where Joseph has risen to power and where the brothers must go to buy grain during the famine.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the fear and uncertainty, Jacob's family must trust in God's overarching plan, which is often beyond human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_responsibility.htm">Repentance and Responsibility</a></b><br>Judah's willingness to ensure Benjamin's safety reflects a transformation from his earlier actions, teaching us the importance of repentance and taking responsibility for our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_unity_and_sacrifice.htm">Family Unity and Sacrifice</a></b><br>The brothers' commitment to return with Benjamin underscores the value of family unity and the sacrifices required to maintain it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_adversity.htm">Faith in Adversity</a></b><br>The famine and the journey to Egypt symbolize trials that require faith and perseverance, reminding believers to rely on God during difficult times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_44.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 44</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_38_fit_biblical_ethics.htm">In Genesis 38 overall, how does this morally complex story align with the broader biblical narrative on sexual ethics and lineage preservation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_omit_divine_guidance_in_joseph's_test.htm">If Joseph's intention in Genesis 44:18-34 was to test his brothers' repentance, why does the narrative omit any mention of divine guidance or command for this potentially manipulative plan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_hebrew_slaves_rising_in_egypt.htm">Genesis 44:14-17 paints Joseph as fully in control of the situation; is there any external evidence of a Hebrew slave rising to such high-ranking authority in ancient Egypt so quickly?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_cain_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Cain in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/44-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But we answered,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַנֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wan·nō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘We cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go down there</span><br /><span class="heb">לָרֶ֑דֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·re·ḏeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unless</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our younger</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּטֹ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·ṭōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brother</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֨ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">goes</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·raḏ·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with us.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתָּ֙נוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So if our younger</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּטֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·ṭōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brother</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָחִ֥ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·ḥî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is not</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵינֶ֥נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·nen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with us,</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתָּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">see</span><br /><span class="heb">לִרְאוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lir·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the man.’</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאִ֔ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/44-26.htm">Genesis 44:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/44-26.htm">OT Law: Genesis 44:26 We said 'We can't go down (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/44-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 44:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/44-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 44:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:27" /></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>