Genesis 43:14

14 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.”

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 Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks, as it was probably someone’s mistake.

13 Then take your brother, and go back to the man.

14 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose my children, so be it.”

15 So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double the money and headed off with Benjamin. They finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.”

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew El-Shaddai.