Genesis 43:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 43:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
Genesis 43:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 43

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If thou wilt send our brother with us, etc.] Give orders for his going with us, and put him under our care: we will go down and buy thee food; signifying, on the above condition, that they were ready and willing to take a journey into Egypt, and buy provisions for him and his family, otherwise not.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ debash, “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים bôṭen, “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד shâqêd, “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז lûz. Some refer the former to the fruit, the latter to the tree. The eleven brothers are now to bow down before Joseph. Genesis 43:1-10 The famine was severe. The pressure began to be felt more and more. The twelve households had at length consumed all the corn they had purchased, and the famine still pressed heavily upon them. Jacob directs them to return. “And Judah said.” Reuben had offended, and could not come forward. Simon and Levi had also grieved their father by the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification