Genesis 43:5

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 43:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
Genesis 43:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 43

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down, etc.] This they said not as undutiful, and from a spirit of rebellion and disobedience to their father, or of stubbornness and obstinacy, but because they durst not go down, nor could they with any safety; they might expect to be taken up as spies, and put to death as they were threatened; and besides, it would be in vain, and to no purpose, since there was no likelihood of succeeding, or of getting any provision: for the man said unto us, ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you; which they repeat both for the confirmation of it, and as an apology for themselves, to clear them from any charge of unfaithfulness.”
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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