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Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself. <a href="/nlt/genesis/44.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then Judah stepped forward and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself. <a href="/esv/genesis/44.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself. <a href="/bsb/genesis/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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. <a href="/kjv/genesis/44.htm">King James Bible</a> Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/44.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Judah came near to him and said: “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Judah approached him and said, “Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/nasb/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Judah approached him, and said, &#8220Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord&#8217s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Judah approached him, and said, “Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/lsb/genesis/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Judah came near to him and said, “O my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/amp/genesis/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Judah approached him, and said, “O my lord, please let your servant say a word to you in private, and do not let your anger blaze against your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh [so I speak as if directly to him]. <a href="/csb/genesis/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Judah approached him and said, “My lord, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Judah approached him and said, &#8220Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh. <a href="/asv/genesis/44.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh. <a href="/cev/genesis/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Judah went over to Joseph and said: Sir, you have as much power as the king himself, and I am only your slave. Please don't get angry if I speak. <a href="/erv/genesis/44.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh. <a href="/gwt/genesis/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Judah went up to Joseph and said, "Please, sir, let me speak openly with you. Don't be angry with me, although you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/gnt/genesis/44.htm">Good News Translation</a> Judah went up to Joseph and said, "Please, sir, allow me to speak with you freely. Don't be angry with me; you are like the king himself. <a href="/isv/genesis/44.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Judah approached him and begged him, "Your Excellency, please allow your servant to speak to you privately. Please don't be angry with your servant, since you are equal to Pharaoh. <a href="/msb/genesis/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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. <a href="/net/genesis/44.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Judah approached him and said, "My lord, please allow your servant to speak a word with you. Please do not get angry with your servant, for you are just like Pharaoh. <a href="/nheb/genesis/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then Judah approached him, and said, "My lord, please allow your servant to speak a word in the ears of my lord, and do not become angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself. <a href="/wbt/genesis/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then Judah came near to him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thy anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh. <a href="/web/genesis/44.htm">World English Bible</a> Then Judah came near to him, and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and don’t let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Judah comes near to him and says, “O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in the ears of my lord, and do not let your anger burn against your servant—for you are as Pharaoh. <a href="/ylt/genesis/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Judah cometh nigh unto him, and saith, 'O, my lord, let thy servant speak, I pray thee, a word in the ears of my lord, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant -- for thou art as Pharaoh. <a href="/slt/genesis/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Judah will come near to him and will say, With leave my lord, now shall thy servant speak a word in the ear of my lord, and thine anger shall not be kindled against thy servant; for with thee as Pharaoh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Then Juda coming hearer, said boldly: I beseech thee, my lord, let thy servant speak a word in thy ears,and be not angry with thy servant: for after Pharao thou art, <a href="/cpdv/genesis/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Judah, approaching closer, said confidently: “I beg you, my lord, let your servant speak a word in your ears, and do not be angry with your servant. For you are next to Pharaoh. <a href="/nabre/genesis/44.htm">New American Bible</a> Judah then stepped up to him and said: “I beg you, my lord, let your servant appeal to my lord, and do not become angry with your servant, for you are the equal of Pharaoh. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Judah stepped up to him and said, “O my lord, let your servant please speak a word in my lord’s ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are like Pharaoh himself.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Judah came near to him and said, I beg you, O my lord, let your servant speak a few words in my lord's presence, and let not your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Yehuda came near to him and said, “I beg of you my Lord, let your Servant speak a word before you my Lord, and let not your anger be hot against your Servant, because you are as Pharaoh.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then Judah came near unto him, and said: 'Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh. <a href="/sep/genesis/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Judas drew near him, and said, I pray, Sir, let thy servant speak a word before thee, and be not angry with thy servant, for thou art next to Pharao. <a href="/parallel/genesis/44-18.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=11552" 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/44.htm">Judah Pleads for Benjamin</a> 18<a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: yə·hū·ḏāh (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">Then Judah</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: way·yig·gaš (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To draw near, approach. ">approached</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/994.htm" title="994: bî (Prep:: 1cs) -- Perhaps from ba'ah; properly, a request; used only adverbially; Oh that!; with leave, or if it please.">“Sir,</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. ">please</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘aḇ·də·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">let your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: bə·’ā·zə·nê (Prep-b:: N-fdc) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: yə·ḏab·ber- (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">speak</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">personally to my lord.</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: yi·ḥar (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">be angry</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pə·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: bə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">with your servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: ḵā·mō·w·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">you are equal to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: kə·p̄ar·‘ōh (Prep-k:: N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">Pharaoh himself.</a> 19My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’…<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/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23-33</a> Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? / What if there are fifty righteous ones in the city? Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous ones who are there? / Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” ... <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a> But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” ... <a href="/1_samuel/25-24.htm">1 Samuel 25:24-31</a> She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. / My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. / Now, my lord, as surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, since the LORD has held you back from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, may your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be like Nabal. ... <a href="/2_samuel/14-12.htm">2 Samuel 14:12-20</a> Then the woman said, “Please, may your servant speak a word to my lord the king?” “Speak,” he replied. / The woman asked, “Why have you devised a thing like this against the people of God? When the king says this, does he not convict himself, since he has not brought back his own banished son? / For we will surely die and be like water poured out on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away a life, but He devises ways that the banished one may not be cast out from Him. ... <a href="/esther/8-3.htm">Esther 8:3-6</a> And once again, Esther addressed the king. She fell at his feet weeping and begged him to revoke the evil scheme of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. / The king extended the gold scepter toward Esther, and she arose and stood before the king. / “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. ... <a href="/job/9-15.htm">Job 9:15</a> For even if I were right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy. <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. <a href="/jeremiah/38-9.htm">Jeremiah 38:9</a> “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.” <a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3-19</a> So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. / And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. ... <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22-28</a> And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” / He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ... <a href="/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26</a> Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ <a href="/luke/7-3.htm">Luke 7:3-6</a> When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to ask Him to come and heal his servant. / They came to Jesus and pleaded with Him earnestly, “This man is worthy to have You grant this, / for he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” ... <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a> Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ... <a href="/john/4-47.htm">John 4:47-50</a> When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. / Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” / “Sir,” the official said, “come down before my child dies.” ... <a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2-53</a> And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.Oh my Lord.let thy.<a href="/genesis/18-30.htm">Genesis 18:30,32</a> And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there… <a href="/2_samuel/14-12.htm">2 Samuel 14:12</a> Then the woman said, Let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak one word unto my lord the king. And he said, Say on.<a href="/job/33-31.htm">Job 33:31</a> Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.anger.<a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Exodus 32:22</a> And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.<a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Esther 1:12</a> But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.<a href="/psalms/79-5.htm">Psalm 79:5</a> How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?as Pharaoh.<a href="/genesis/41-40.htm">Genesis 41:40,44</a> Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou… <a href="/proverbs/19-12.htm">Proverbs 19:12</a> The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.<a href="/daniel/3-15.htm">Daniel 3:15,19-23</a> Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/39-19.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/genesis/41-10.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/genesis/33-6.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/genesis/11-3.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/genesis/44-16.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/genesis/44-16.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/43-20.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/44-17.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/44-16.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/genesis/44-7.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/exodus/14-10.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/genesis/45-2.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/exodus/22-17.htm">Equal</a> <a href="/genesis/46-12.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/genesis/44-24.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/genesis/45-2.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/44-33.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/44-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/45-27.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/genesis/45-13.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 44</div>1. <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Joseph's policy to stay his brothers.</a> 6. <a href="/genesis/44-6.htm">The silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack.</a> 14. <a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">They are brought before Joseph.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.</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/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>Then Judah approached Joseph Judah's approach signifies a pivotal moment in the narrative. Judah, who once suggested selling Joseph into slavery, now steps forward as a leader and advocate for his family. This act of courage and responsibility marks a transformation in Judah's character. The setting is Egypt, where Joseph, now a powerful official, holds authority over the land. Judah's approach is a fulfillment of the earlier prophecy that the scepter will not depart from Judah (<a href="/genesis/49-10.htm">Genesis 49:10</a>), foreshadowing the leadership role his tribe will play in Israel's history.and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Judah's respectful address to Joseph as "Sir" and "my lord" reflects the cultural norms of the time, where hierarchy and respect for authority were paramount. The use of "your servant" indicates humility and submission, essential for the plea he is about to make. This interaction is a model of diplomacy and tact, as Judah seeks to appeal to Joseph's sense of justice and mercy.Do not be angry with your servant, Judah's request for Joseph not to be angry underscores the tension and high stakes of the situation. The brothers are unaware that they are speaking to Joseph, whom they wronged years earlier. This plea for patience and understanding is crucial, as Judah is about to reveal sensitive family matters. It also reflects the biblical theme of seeking reconciliation and forgiveness, which is central to the story of Joseph and his brothers.for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. Judah acknowledges Joseph's authority, equating him with Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. This statement highlights Joseph's rise to power and the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a>), where he envisioned his family bowing to him. It also emphasizes the gravity of the situation, as Judah recognizes that Joseph holds the power of life and death over them. This acknowledgment sets the stage for Joseph's eventual revelation of his identity and the reconciliation that follows.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah steps forward as a spokesperson for his brothers, demonstrating leadership and responsibility. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The governor of Egypt, who is testing his brothers to see if they have changed since they sold him into slavery. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a> The ruler of Egypt, whom Joseph serves. Joseph is second in command and holds significant power, as acknowledged by Judah. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy grain during a famine. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_brothers'_journey.htm">The Brothers' Journey</a> The event where Joseph's brothers return to Egypt with Benjamin, leading to the confrontation and Judah's plea.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a> Judah's willingness to approach Joseph and speak on behalf of his brothers demonstrates true leadership. He takes responsibility for his family, a trait that is essential for godly leadership. <a href="/topical/i/intercession_and_advocacy.htm">Intercession and Advocacy</a> Judah's plea is an example of intercession, where he stands in the gap for his brother Benjamin. This reflects the importance of advocating for others in prayer and action. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_change.htm">Repentance and Change</a> The brothers' actions, especially Judah's, show a change of heart from their earlier betrayal of Joseph. True repentance involves a transformation of character and actions. <a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a> Judah's respectful approach to Joseph, acknowledging his authority, teaches us the importance of respecting those in positions of power while still speaking truthfully and boldly. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_providence.htm">God's Sovereignty and Providence</a> The unfolding events highlight God's sovereign plan, using even past wrongs to bring about His purposes. Trusting in God's providence is crucial, even when circumstances seem dire.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_44.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 44</a> <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> <a href="/q/what's_joseph's_divination_cup's_role.htm">What is the significance of Joseph's divination cup?</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 href="/q/who_bought_joseph_from_the_midianites.htm">To whom did the Midianites sell Joseph? To the Ishmaelites (Genesis 37:28) To Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh (Genesis 37:36)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 18-34. - Then Judah came near to him, and said, - the speech of Judah in behalf of his young brother Benjamin has been fittingly characterized as "one of the master. pieces of Hebrew composition" (Kalisch), "one of the grandest and fairest to be found in the Old Testament" (Lange), "a more moving oration than ever orator pronounced" (Lawson), "one of the finest specimens of natural eloquence in the world" (Inglis). Without being distinguished by either brilliant imagination or highly poetic diction, "its inimitable charm and excellence consist in the power of psychological truth, easy simplicity, and affecting pathos" (Kalisch) - Oh my lord (the interjection Oh is the same as that used by Judah in <a href="/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20</a>; q.v.), let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears (probably pressing towards him in his eagerness), and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh (i.e. one invested with the authority of Pharaoh, and therefore able, like Pharaoh, either to pardon or condemn). My lord asked his servants, saying, Have yea father, or a brother! And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age (vide Genesis 37:3), a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him. Substantially this is the account which the brethren gave of themselves from the first (<a href="/genesis/42-13.htm">Genesis 42:13</a>); only Judah now with exquisite tact as well as resistless pathos dwells on the threefold circumstance that the little one whose life was at stake was inexpressibly dear to his father for his dead brother's sake as well as for his departed mother's and his own. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him. This last clause is also a rhetorical enlargement of Joseph's words, ἐπιμελοῦμαι αὐτοῦ (LXX.); the phrase, to set one's eyes on any one, being commonly used in a good sense, signifying to regard any one with kindness, to look to his good (cf. <a href="/ezra/5-5.htm">Ezra 5:5</a>; <a href="/job/24-23.htm">Job 24:23</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/39-12.htm">Jeremiah 39:12</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/40-4.htm">Jeremiah 40:4</a>). And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die. Judah in this no doubt correctly reports the original conversation, although the remark is not recorded in the first account. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more (cf. <a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">Genesis 43:3-5</a>). And it came to pass (literally, it was) when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord. The effect upon Jacob of their sad communication Judah does not recite (<a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Genesis 42:36</a>), but passes on to the period of the commencement of the second journey. And our father laid (i.e. after the consumption of the corn supply), Go again, and buy us a little food (vide <a href="/genesis/43-2.htm">Genesis 43:2</a>). And we laid, 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. And thy servant my father said unto us (at this point Judah with increased tenderness alludes to the touching lamentation of the stricken patriarch as he first listens to the unwelcome proposition to take Benjamin from his side), Ye know that my wife - Rachel was all through her life the wife of his affections (cf. <a href="/genesis/46-19.htm">Genesis 46:19</a>) - bare me two sons: - Joseph and Benjamin (<a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22, 24</a>; <a href="/genesis/35-18.htm">Genesis 35:18</a>) - and the one (Joseph) went out from me (and returned not, thus indirectly alluding to his death), and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since. Jacob means that had Joseph been alive, he would certainly have returned; but that as since that fatal day of his departure from Hebron he had never beheld him, he could only conclude that his inference was correct, and that Joseph was devoured by some beast of prey. And if ye take this also from me (in the sense which the next clause explains), and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave - Sheol (vide <a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a>). Now therefore (literally, and now) when I come (or go) to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life (or soul) is bound up in the lad's life (or soul); it shall come to pass, when he sooth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. 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 (vide <a href="/genesis/43-9.htm">Genesis 43:9</a>). Now therefore (literally, and now), I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman (or servant) to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. "There was no duty that imperiously prohibited Judah from taking the place of his unfortunate brother. His children, and even his wife, if he had been in the married state, might have been sent to Egypt. He was so far master of his own liberty that he could warrantably put himself in Benjamin's room, if the governor gave his consent" (Lawson). For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on (literally, shall find) my father. The sublime heroism of this noble act of self-sacrifice on the part of Judah it is impossible to over-estimate. In behalf of one whom he knew was preferred to a higher place in his father's affection than himself, he was willing to renounce his liberty rather than see his aged parent die of a broken heart. The self-forgetful magnanimity of such an action has never been eclipsed, and seldom rivaled. After words so exquisitely beautiful and profoundly pathetic it was impossible for Joseph to doubt that a complete change had passed upon his brethren, and in particular upon Judah, since the day when he had eloquently urged, and they had wickedly consented, to sell their brother Joseph into Egypt. Everything was now ready for the denouement in this domestic drama. The story of Joseph's discovery of himself to his astonished brethren is related in the ensuing chapter. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/44-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Judah יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites approached וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ (way·yig·gaš) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> To draw near, approach [Joseph] אֵלָ֜יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to and said, וַיֹּאמֶר֮ (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 “Sir, בִּ֣י (bî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_994.htm">Strong's 994: </a> Oh that!, with leave, if it please please נָ֨א (nā) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4994.htm">Strong's 4994: </a> I pray', 'now', 'then' let your servant עַבְדְּךָ֤ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant speak יְדַבֶּר־ (yə·ḏab·ber-) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue personally to my lord. אֲדֹנִ֔י (’ă·ḏō·nî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> Sovereign, controller Do not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not be angry יִ֥חַר (yi·ḥar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy with your servant, בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ (bə·‘aḇ·de·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> Slave, servant for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you are an equal to כָמ֖וֹךָ (ḵā·mō·w·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> Like, as, when Pharaoh. כְּפַרְעֹֽה׃ (kə·p̄ar·‘ōh) Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">OT Law: Genesis 44:18 Then Judah came near to him (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/44-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 44:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/44-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 44:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:19" /></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>