Genesis 43:14

14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If[a] I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Genesis 43:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man
Who has the hearts of all men in his hands, kings, princes, governors, even those who are the most cruel and hardhearted, rough and severe in their tempers and dispositions, and such an one they had represented this man to be; one that had spoke roughly to them, and used them roughly: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind, and now he puts up a prayer to God, and dismisses his sons with his good wishes for them, that God would incline the heart of the governor to show kindness to them, and let them have corn, nor use any of them ill: particularly, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin;
release Simeon, and send him and Benjamin aiming with them when they returned: if I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved;
this he said, not as utterly despairing of their return, but as expressive of his patient submission to the divine will, be it as it may be.

Genesis 43:14 In-Context

12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. If...: or, And I, as I have been, etc
The King James Version is in the public domain.