Genesis 43:6

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 43:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
Genesis 43:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 43

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Israel said, etc.] In answer to the speech of Judah: wherefore dealt ye [so] ill with me; had done that which brought so much evil upon him, gave him so much grief and trouble, and threw him into such perplexity and distress, that he knew not what to do, or course to take: [as] to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? which he thought was done imprudently and unadvisedly, and that there was no need of it; which, had it not been done, would have prevented this anxiety of mind he was now in, and the mischief he feared would follow.”
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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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Sources and verification