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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 42:22 And Reuben responded, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_42_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:22 - Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Reuben responded, Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. 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But you wouldn&#8217t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?” Reuben asked. “But you wouldn’t listen. And now we have to answer for his blood!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now <i>justice for</i> his blood is required.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Reuben answered them, saying, &#8220Did I not tell you, &#8216Do not sin against the boy’ and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not tell you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; yet you would not listen? So also his blood, behold, it is required <i>of us</i>.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now the accounting for his blood is required [of us for we are guilty of his death].”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Reuben replied: &#8220Didn&#8217t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn&#8217t listen. Now we must account for his blood!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Reuben spoke up, "Didn't I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn't listen, and now we have to pay the price for killing him." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Reuben said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen. Now we must pay for this bloodshed."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Reuben said, "I told you not to harm the boy, but you wouldn't listen. And now we are being paid back for his death." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Didn't I tell you!" Reuben replied. "'Don't wrong the kid!' I said, but would you listen? No! Now it's payback time!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Reuben responded, ?Didn?t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Reuben said to them, "Didn't I say to you, 'Don't sin against the boy,' but you wouldn't listen? So now we must pay for shedding his blood!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, saying, ?Do not sin against the boy,? but you wouldn?t listen? Therefore, look, now comes a reckoning for his blood."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Do not sin against the young man; and ye would not hear? therefore behold also his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Reuben answers them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, Do not sin against the boy? And you did not listen; and his blood also, behold, it is required.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Reuben answereth them, saying, 'Spake I not unto you, saying, Sin not against the lad? and ye hearkened not; and his blood also, lo, it is required.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Reuben will answer them, saying, Spake I not to you, saying, Ye shall not sin against the child; and ye heard not? and also behold his blood was required.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Ruben one of them, said: Did not I say to you: Do not sin against the boy: and you would not hear me? Behold his blood is required. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Reuben, one of them, said: “Did not I say to you, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ and you would not listen to me? See, his blood is exacted.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Reuben responded, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do no wrong to the boy’? But you would not listen! Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you not to wrong the boy? But you would not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Reuben answered and said to them, Did I not tell you, Do not sin against the boy; but you did not listen? So now his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Rubil answered and said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’, and you did not listen? Even now, behold, his blood is required.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Reuben answered them, saying: 'Spoke I not unto you, saying: Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Ruben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Hurt not the boy, and ye heard me not? and, behold, his blood is required.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/42-22.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=10936" 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/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">21</span>Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” <span class="reftext">22</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7205.htm" title="7205: rə·’ū·ḇên (N-proper-ms) -- From the imperative of ra'ah and ben; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob.">And Reuben</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">responded,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Didn’t</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">I tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">you not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: te·ḥeṭ·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">to sin against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: ḇay·ye·leḏ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">the boy?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">But you would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šə·ma‘·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/1875.htm" title="1875: niḏ·rāš (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow; by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship.">we must account for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dā·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">his blood!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.…<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/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21-22</a></span><br />When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. / “Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Genesis 37:26-27</a></span><br />Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5-6</a></span><br />And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man: / Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12-14</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death. / If, however, he did not lie in wait, but God allowed it to happen, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee. / But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Numbers 35:33-34</a></span><br />Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. / Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-10.htm">Deuteronomy 19:10</a></span><br />Thus innocent blood will not be shed in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-1.htm">Deuteronomy 21:1-9</a></span><br />If one is found slain, lying in a field in the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who killed him, / your elders and judges must come out and measure the distance from the victim to the neighboring cities. / Then the elders of the city nearest the victim shall take a heifer that has never been yoked or used for work, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-4.htm">1 Samuel 19:4-5</a></span><br />Then Jonathan spoke well of David to his father Saul and said to him, “The king should not sin against his servant David; he has not sinned against you. In fact, his actions have been highly beneficial to you. / He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-31.htm">1 Kings 2:31-32</a></span><br />And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/24-4.htm">2 Kings 24:4</a></span><br />and also for the innocent blood he had shed. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was unwilling to forgive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Psalm 9:12</a></span><br />For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Psalm 51:14</a></span><br />Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Proverbs 28:17</a></span><br />A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-21.htm">Isaiah 26:21</a></span><br />For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm">Ezekiel 3:18-19</a></span><br />If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood. / But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Reuben answered them, saying, Spoke I not to you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and you would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.</p><p class="hdg">Spake I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21,22,29,30</a></b></br> And Reuben heard <i>it</i>, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/23-41.htm">Luke 23:41</a></b></br> And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Romans 2:15</a></b></br> Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and <i>their</i> thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)</p><p class="hdg">his blood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a></b></br> And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5,6</a></b></br> And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/2-32.htm">1 Kings 2:32</a></b></br> And the LORD shall return his blood upon his own head, who fell upon two men more righteous and better than he, and slew them with the sword, my father David not knowing <i>thereof, to wit</i>, Abner the son of Ner, captain of the host of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether, captain of the host of Judah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/39-23.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/37-30.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/38-25.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/genesis/37-27.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/37-30.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/genesis/19-15.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/genesis/31-39.htm">Required</a> <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">Attention</a> <a href="/genesis/49-11.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/44-20.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/45-2.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/genesis/49-2.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/genesis/44-31.htm">Lad</a> <a href="/exodus/21-20.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/leviticus/25-52.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/genesis/50-3.htm">Required</a> <a href="/genesis/42-37.htm">Reuben</a> <a href="/genesis/44-32.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/10-27.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/genesis/42-32.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</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/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><b>And Reuben responded</b><br>Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, often took a leadership role among his brothers. His response here indicates his earlier attempt to protect Joseph, showing a sense of responsibility and moral awareness. This reflects his earlier actions in <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Genesis 37:21-22</a>, where he tried to save Joseph from being killed by suggesting they throw him into a pit instead.<p><b>“Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?</b><br>Reuben's words remind his brothers of his previous warning, highlighting his foresight and the moral implications of their actions. The term "sin" indicates a violation of divine law, emphasizing the gravity of their betrayal. This echoes the biblical theme of accountability and the consequences of sin, as seen in <a href="/numbers/32-23.htm">Numbers 32:23</a>, "be sure your sin will find you out."<p><b>But you would not listen.</b><br>This phrase underscores the brothers' stubbornness and collective decision to ignore Reuben's counsel. It reflects a recurring biblical theme where ignoring wise counsel leads to negative consequences, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-31</a>, where wisdom's call is ignored, leading to calamity.<p><b>Now we must account for his blood!”</b><br>Reuben's statement foreshadows the principle of divine justice and retribution. The concept of "accounting for blood" is rooted in the biblical understanding of justice, where innocent blood cries out for vengeance, as seen in <a href="/genesis/4-10.htm">Genesis 4:10</a> with Abel's blood. This also prefigures the ultimate atonement through Christ's blood, which speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (<a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/r/reuben.htm">Reuben</a></b><br>The eldest son of Jacob, who initially tried to save Joseph from being killed by his brothers. He is now expressing his regret and reminding his brothers of their past sin.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>The group of siblings who conspired against Joseph, leading to his being sold into slavery. They are now facing the consequences of their actions as they deal with the famine in Egypt.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, he is the central figure in the account. His past suffering and current position in Egypt are pivotal to the unfolding events.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy grain during the famine.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_famine.htm">The Famine</a></b><br>A severe famine affecting the region, driving Joseph's brothers to Egypt for food, setting the stage for their encounter with Joseph.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin has lasting consequences, and unrepented actions can lead to guilt and accountability. Reuben's reminder to his brothers highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of our actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening_to_wise_counsel.htm">The Importance of Listening to Wise Counsel</a></b><br>Reuben's initial advice to spare Joseph was ignored, leading to regret. This teaches the value of heeding wise counsel and the potential consequences of ignoring it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_redemption.htm">God's Sovereignty in Redemption</a></b><br>Despite the brothers' sin, God used the situation to fulfill His purposes. This demonstrates God's ability to redeem even the worst situations for His glory and our good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_repentance_and_reconciliation.htm">The Need for Repentance and Reconciliation</a></b><br>The brothers' guilt points to the need for repentance and seeking reconciliation, both with those we have wronged and with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_accountability.htm">Personal Accountability</a></b><br>Each individual is accountable for their actions. Reuben's statement is a reminder that we must all give an account for our deeds, encouraging us to live righteously.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_reuben_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Reuben in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_unjust_suffering.htm">Proverbs 17:15 declares it detestable to acquit the guilty or condemn the innocent. Why, then, do biblical narratives sometimes show God allowing what appears to be unjust suffering?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_test_job_and_abraham.htm">If God doesn't tempt anyone (James 1:13), why did He test Job, Abraham, and others?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'stand_fast_in_faith'_mean.htm">What are Garments of Skin in biblical context?</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>(22) <span class= "bld">His blood.</span>--Evidently they thought that Joseph was dead, so that the accusation brought against them of falsehood for saying in <a href="/genesis/42-13.htm" title="And they said, Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.">Genesis 42:13</a> <span class= "ital">"</span>one is not" is groundless. Moreover, Jacob uses the same words of Simeon (<a href="/genesis/42-36.htm" title="And Jacob their father said to them, Me have you bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and you will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.">Genesis 42:36</a>), meaning by it only that he was lost to him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 22.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Reuben</span> - who had not consented to, but had been altogether unable to prevent, the wickedness of his brethren (<a href="/genesis/37-22.htm">Genesis 37:22, 29</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child</span> (or lad); <span class="cmt_word">and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required</span> - literally, <span class="accented">and also his blood, behold it is required</span>. This was in accordance with the Noachic law against bloodshed (<a href="/genesis/9-5.htm">Genesis 9:5</a>), with which it is apparent that Jacob's sons were acquainted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-22.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 Reuben</span><br /><span class="heb">רְאוּבֵ֨ן</span> <span class="translit">(rə·’ū·ḇên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7205.htm">Strong's 7205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied:</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַן֩</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Didn’t</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלוֹא֩</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</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">I tell</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<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">you not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to sin against</span><br /><span class="heb">תֶּחֶטְא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(te·ḥeṭ·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the boy?</span><br /><span class="heb">בַיֶּ֖לֶד</span> <span class="translit">(ḇay·ye·leḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something born, a lad, offspring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But you would not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">listen.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ma‘·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we must account for</span><br /><span class="heb">נִדְרָֽשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(niḏ·rāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1875.htm">Strong's 1875: </a> </span><span class="str2">To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his blood!”</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּמ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(dā·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/42-22.htm">Genesis 42:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:22 Reuben answered them saying Didn't I tell (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:23" /></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>