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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 44:22 So we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/44-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/01_Gen_44_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 44:22 - Judah Pleads for Benjamin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father. 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If he were to leave, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for <i>if</i> he should leave his father, <i>his father</i> would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for <i>if</i> he should leave his father, <i>his father</i> would die.’<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 to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But we said to my lord, &#8216The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But we said to my lord, ‘The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he should leave his father, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But we said to my lord, ‘The young man cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we said to my lord, &#8216The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.&#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 unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We told you that our father would die if Benjamin left him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />We replied, 'The boy can't leave his father. If the boy leaves him, his father will die.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and we answered that the boy could not leave his father; if he did, his father would die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So we told Your Excellency, 'The young man cannot leave his father, because if he were to do so, his father would die.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So we said to my lord, ?The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father. If he leaves his father, his father will die.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And we said to my lord, 'The boy can't leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'<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 to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />We said to my lord, ‘The boy can’t leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’ <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 to my lord, The youth is not able to leave his father, when he has left his father, then he has died;<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 unto my lord, The youth is not able to leave his father, when he hath left his father, then he hath died;<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 to my lord, The youth will not be able to leave his father; and did he leave his father, he died.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />We suggested to my lord: The boy cannot leave his father: for if he leave him, he will die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />We suggested to my lord: ‘The boy is not able to leave his father. For if he sends him away, he will die.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />We replied to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; his father would die if he left him.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.’<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 my lord, The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.<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 my Lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, and if he leaves his father, he will die.’<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 unto my lord: The lad cannot leave his father; for if he should leave his father, his father would die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And we said to <i>my</i> lord, The child will not be able to leave his father; but if he should leave his father, he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/44-22.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=11587" 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">21</span>Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so that I can see him for myself.’ <span class="reftext">22</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.">So we said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</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.">my lord,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: han·na·‘ar (Art:: N-ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">‘The boy</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.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: la·‘ă·zōḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">leave</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: wə·‘ā·zaḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">If he were to leave,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: wā·mêṯ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">would die.’</a> </span><span class="reftext">23</span>But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’…<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/43-8.htm">Genesis 43:8-9</a></span><br />And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. / I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3-4</a></span><br />Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.<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/44-30.htm">Genesis 44:30-31</a></span><br />So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, / sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.<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/37-23.htm">Genesis 37:23-24</a></span><br />So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— / and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-28.htm">Genesis 37:28</a></span><br />So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<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/18-1.htm">1 Samuel 18:1-3</a></span><br />After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-26.htm">1 Kings 3:26</a></span><br />Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!”</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 to my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.</p><p class="hdg">his father would die.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/44-30.htm">Genesis 44:30</a></b></br> Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad <i>be</i> not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-38.htm">Genesis 42:38</a></b></br> And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/44-9.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/44-9.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/44-9.htm">Died</a> <a href="/genesis/42-33.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/genesis/3-7.htm">Leaves</a> <a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/44-26.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/44-30.htm">Boy</a> <a href="/genesis/44-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/genesis/44-31.htm">Die</a> <a href="/genesis/44-31.htm">Died</a> <a href="/exodus/2-20.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/exodus/21-33.htm">Leaves</a> <a href="/genesis/44-31.htm">Youth</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>So we said to my lord</b><br>This phrase reflects the respectful address used by Joseph's brothers when speaking to him, whom they did not recognize as their brother. The term "my lord" indicates the authority and power Joseph held as the governor of Egypt. This interaction occurs during a time of famine, where Joseph's brothers have come to Egypt to buy grain. The use of "my lord" is consistent with the cultural norms of the time, where individuals of lower status would address those in authority with deference.<p><b>‘The boy cannot leave his father.</b><br>"The boy" refers to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and the only full brother of Joseph. Benjamin's significance is heightened by the fact that he is the last remaining son of Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel. The brothers' statement underscores the deep bond between Jacob and Benjamin, as well as Jacob's protective nature over him. This familial relationship is central to the narrative, as it sets the stage for Joseph's testing of his brothers' integrity and repentance. The inability to leave his father highlights the emotional and relational dynamics within Jacob's family.<p><b>If he were to leave,</b><br>This conditional phrase introduces the potential consequences of Benjamin leaving his father. It reflects the brothers' understanding of the gravity of the situation and the potential impact on their father, Jacob. The conditional nature of the statement also serves to emphasize the seriousness of the request and the potential for tragedy if it is not heeded.<p><b>his father would die.’</b><br>The phrase indicates the depth of Jacob's attachment to Benjamin, suggesting that any separation could lead to Jacob's death from grief. This reflects the cultural and historical context where family bonds were paramount, and the loss of a child could be devastating. The statement also foreshadows the emotional climax of the narrative, where Joseph's identity is revealed, and the family is ultimately reconciled. The potential for Jacob's death underscores the stakes involved in the brothers' journey and the importance of family unity.<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 Joseph, expressing the deep bond between Jacob and Benjamin.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/benjamin.htm">Benjamin</a></b><br>- The youngest son of Jacob, deeply loved by his father, Jacob, and a central figure in the brothers' plea to Joseph.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>- The father of the twelve tribes of Israel, who is deeply attached to Benjamin after losing Joseph.<br><br>4. <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 Benjamin's presence.<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 have come to buy grain during the famine.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_depth_of_parental_love.htm">The Depth of Parental Love</a></b><br>Jacob's love for Benjamin is a powerful example of the deep, protective love a parent has for their child. This love reflects God's love for us, His children.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_family_bonds.htm">The Importance of Family Bonds</a></b><br>The account emphasizes the importance of family unity and the lengths to which family members will go to protect one another.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a></b><br>Joseph's test of his brothers is a journey of repentance and redemption, showing how past wrongs can be addressed and healed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a></b><br>Despite the fear and uncertainty, the account encourages trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sacrificial_love.htm">Sacrificial Love</a></b><br>Judah's willingness to take responsibility for Benjamin foreshadows Christ's sacrificial love for humanity.<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_to_effectively_teach_others.htm">Is lying against God's teachings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_sinful_to_lie.htm">Is it sinful to lie?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_adam_and_eve_possess_belly_buttons.htm">What does Matthew 6:33 mean?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/44-22.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">So we said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַנֹּ֙אמֶר֙</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">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my lord,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘The boy</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנַּ֖עַר</span> <span class="translit">(han·na·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</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">leave</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲזֹ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·zōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">If he were to leave,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָזַ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·zaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his father</span><br /><span class="heb">אָבִ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḇîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would die.’</span><br /><span class="heb">וָמֵֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(wā·mêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/44-22.htm">Genesis 44:22 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/44-22.htm">OT Law: Genesis 44:22 We said to my lord 'The boy (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/44-21.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 44:21"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:21" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/44-23.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 44:23"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:23" /></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>