Génesis 43:7

7 —Porque aquel hombre nos preguntó específicamente acerca de nuestra familia —respondieron ellos—. “¿Vive todavía el padre de ustedes? —nos preguntó—. ¿Tienen algún otro hermano?” Lo único que hicimos fue responder a sus preguntas. ¿Cómo íbamos a saber que nos pediría llevar a nuestro hermano menor?

Génesis 43:7 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:7

And they said
Not Judah only, in the name of the rest, but each of them in turn, being all charged with doing an ill thing: the man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred;
or "in asking asked" ^F8; very particularly and closely, putting many questions to us, who we were? to whom we belonged? of what family we were? and inquired into the particulars and circumstances of our relations: saying, [is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother?
they told him they were all one man's sons, as they were obliged, when they were charged with being spies, in order to clear themselves, ( Genesis 42:10 Genesis 42:11 ) ; upon which he inquired whether their father was living, and whether they were all the sons their father had: and we told him according to the tenor of these words;
they answered to these questions put to them, and which were so closely put, that they could do no other than say what they did: could we certainly know that he would say, bring your brother down?
could they have foreseen this, they would have been more upon their guard; though in all probability had they been ever so cautious this would have been the case; it would have been required of them to bring their brother with them, so desirous was Joseph of seeing him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (lav lav) "interrogando interrogavit", Pagninus, Montanus

Génesis 43:7 In-Context

5 De lo contrario, no tiene objeto que vayamos. Aquel hombre fue muy claro en cuanto a no presentarnos ante él sin nuestro hermano menor.

6 —¿Por qué me han causado este mal? —inquirió Israel—. ¿Por qué le dijeron a ese hombre que tenían otro hermano?

7 —Porque aquel hombre nos preguntó específicamente acerca de nuestra familia —respondieron ellos—. “¿Vive todavía el padre de ustedes? —nos preguntó—. ¿Tienen algún otro hermano?” Lo único que hicimos fue responder a sus preguntas. ¿Cómo íbamos a saber que nos pediría llevar a nuestro hermano menor?

8 Judá le dijo a su padre Israel:—Bajo mi responsabilidad, envía al muchacho y nos iremos ahora mismo, para que nosotros y nuestros hijos podamos seguir viviendo.

9 Yo te respondo por su seguridad; a mí me pedirás cuentas. Si no te lo devuelvo sano y salvo, yo seré el culpable ante ti para toda la vida.