Genesis 43:4
Genesis 43:4 in Multiple Translations
If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
If you will let our brother go with us, we will go down and get food:
If you send our brother Benjamin with us then we'll go and buy food for you.
If thou wilt sende our brother with vs, we will goe downe, and bye thee foode:
if thou art sending our brother with us, we go down, and buy for thee food,
If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food;
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
If therefore thou wilt send him with us, we will set out together, and will buy necessaries for thee.
So, if you will send our younger brother with us, we will go down to Egypt and buy some grain for you.
Then Judah said to Jacob, “If you will let our brother Benjamin go with us to Egypt country, then we will go and buy food for you there.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 43:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 43:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
יֶשְׁ/ךָ֛
מְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ
אֶת
אָחִ֖י/נוּ
אִתָּ֑/נוּ
נֵרְדָ֕ה
וְ/נִשְׁבְּרָ֥ה
לְ/ךָ֖
אֹֽכֶל
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יֶשְׁ/ךָ֛
yêsh
H3426
there
Part | Suff
מְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Piel
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אָחִ֖י/נוּ
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-ms | Suff
אִתָּ֑/נוּ
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep | Suff
נֵרְדָ֕ה
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-1cp
וְ/נִשְׁבְּרָ֥ה
shâbar
H7666
to buy grain
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
לְ/ךָ֖
Prep | Suff
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 43:4
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יֶשְׁ/ךָ֛
yêsh
H3426
"there"
Part | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'there is' or 'there are', used to show existence or being. It appears in various forms, like 'to be' or 'to have'. In the Bible, it's used in Genesis and Psalms to describe God's presence.
Definition: 1) being, existence, substance, there is or are 1a) substance 1b) existence 1c) there is or are Aramaic equivalent: i.tay (אִיתַי "there is" H0383)
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. See also: Genesis 18:24; Nehemiah 5:2; Psalms 7:4.
מְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Piel
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אָחִ֖י/נוּ
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
אִתָּ֑/נוּ
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
נֵרְדָ֕ה
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-1cp
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
וְ/נִשְׁבְּרָ֥ה
shâbar
H7666
"to buy grain"
Conj | V-Qal-1cp
To buy or sell grain, as in trading food for survival, is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to buy or purchase grain 1a) (Qal) to buy grain 1b) (Hiphil) to sell grain Aramaic equivalent: ze.van (זְבַן "to buy" H2084)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: buy, sell. See also: Genesis 41:56; Genesis 43:20; Proverbs 11:26.
לְ/ךָ֖
""
Prep | Suff
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
Study Notes — Genesis 43:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Return to Egypt with Benjamin
2So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
3But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
4If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
5But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” 6“Why did you bring this trouble upon me?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man you had another brother?”Genesis 43:4 Summary
This verse, Genesis 43:4, means that the brothers will only go back to Egypt to buy food if their father, Jacob, sends their younger brother, Benjamin, with them. This is because the man in Egypt, who is actually Joseph, told them that they would not be able to see him again unless Benjamin is with them, as seen in Genesis 43:3. This shows that Joseph is testing his brothers to see if they will take care of Benjamin, just like he wanted them to, and it reminds us to trust in God's plan and follow His will, even when it's hard, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the condition for the brothers to go and buy food from Egypt?
The condition is that their brother, Benjamin, must be sent with them, as stated by the man in Egypt, in order for them to see his face again and buy food, as seen in Genesis 43:4 and repeated in Genesis 43:5.
Why did the brothers need to go back to Egypt to buy food?
The brothers needed to go back to Egypt to buy food because they had eaten all the grain they had brought from their previous trip, as mentioned in Genesis 43:2, and their father, Jacob, asked them to go back and buy a little more food.
What would happen if the brothers did not take Benjamin with them to Egypt?
If the brothers did not take Benjamin with them to Egypt, they would not be allowed to see the man's face again and would not be able to buy food, as warned in Genesis 43:3 and Genesis 43:5.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Joseph and his brothers?
This verse is part of the larger story of Joseph and his brothers, where Joseph, now a powerful man in Egypt, is testing his brothers to see if they have changed and are willing to take care of their younger brother, Benjamin, as seen in the events that unfold in Genesis 42-45.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to rely on others or trust in their actions, and how did it turn out?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's plan, even when it seems uncertain or difficult, as seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers?
- What are some ways that I can show love and care for my family members or those around me, just like Joseph wanted his brothers to show care for Benjamin?
- How does this verse remind me of the importance of obedience and following God's will, even when it's challenging or unclear?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 43:4
If thou wilt send our brother with us,.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 43:4
And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 43:4
Genesis 43:4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:Ver. 4. And buy thee food,] q.d., Thou art as much concerned as any of us, and more; because thou art master of the family.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 43:4
XLIII. THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT.(7) The man asked us straitly.—In Genesis 42:13 they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accused of being spies, they would naturally give an account of themselves, and Joseph, anxious to know about his father and brother, would certainly put numerous questions to them concerning their home and family. And they would answer them fully and frankly, little suspecting who was the questioner, and what was his real reason for exacting Benjamin’s presence in proof of their trustworthiness: Of our state and of our kindred.—Heb., concerning ourselves and our birthplace (see Genesis 12:1; Genesis 24:4; Genesis 24:7; Genesis 31:3), that is, our home. Questions about ourselves would be such as those given: “Is your father yet alive? Have ye a brother?” And besides these, Joseph would interrogate them closely concerning the place whence they came, and the state of things there.