Genesis 43:29

29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, ¹his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, ²of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!"

Genesis 43:29 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:29

And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin
He had seen him before when his brethren first presented themselves to him, but then took no particular and special notice of him, only gave him a side look as it were, but now he looked wistly at him: his mother's son;
the son of Rachel his mother, and who was his only brother by his mother's side, the rest, though his brethren, yet only by his father's side, not his mother's sons: and said, [is] this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me?
he knew he was the same, but was willing to have it from their mouths, to lead on to what he had further to say: and he said;
after they had answered his question, and told him it was he: God be gracious unto thee, my son;
speaking as a superior, a governor, in which capacity he was a father to his inferiors; and as a man, a relation, a brother, though not as yet discovered; he spoke in the most tender and affectionate manner, and, as a religious good man, he wishes the best thing he could for his brother, the grace and goodness of God; and which may be understood in the largest and most expressive sense, as including all good things, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.

Genesis 43:29 In-Context

27 And he inquired about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"

28 They said, "Your servant our father is well; he is still alive." And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!"

30 Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.

31 Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, "Serve the food."

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 35:18
• 2. [See ver. 27 above]