Génesis 43:3-13

3 Pero Judá dijo:
—El hombre hablaba en serio cuando nos advirtió: “No volverán a ver mi rostro a menos que su hermano venga con ustedes”.

4 Si envías a Benjamín con nosotros, descenderemos y compraremos más alimento,

5 pero si no dejas que Benjamín vaya, nosotros tampoco iremos. Recuerda que el hombre dijo: “No volverán a ver mi rostro a menos que su hermano venga con ustedes”.

6 —¿Por qué fueron ustedes tan crueles conmigo? —se lamentó Jacob
— ¿Por qué le dijeron que tenían otro hermano?

7 —El hombre no dejaba de hacernos preguntas sobre nuestra familia —respondieron ellos—. Nos preguntó: “¿Su padre todavía vive? ¿Tienen ustedes otro hermano?”. Y nosotros contestamos sus preguntas. ¿Cómo íbamos a saber que nos diría: “Traigan aquí a su hermano”?

8 Judá le dijo a su padre:
—Envía al muchacho conmigo, y nos iremos ahora mismo. De no ser así, todos moriremos de hambre, y no solamente nosotros, sino tú y nuestros hijos.

9 Yo garantizo personalmente su seguridad. Puedes hacerme responsable a mí si no te lo traigo de regreso. Entonces cargaré con la culpa para siempre.

10 Si no hubiéramos perdido todo este tiempo, ya habríamos ido y vuelto dos veces.

11 Entonces su padre Jacob finalmente les dijo:
—Si no queda otro remedio, entonces al menos hagan esto: carguen sus costales con los mejores productos de esta tierra —bálsamo, miel, resinas aromáticas, pistachos y almendras—; llévenselos al hombre como regalo.

12 Tomen también el doble del dinero que les devolvieron, ya que probablemente alguien se equivocó.

13 Después tomen a su hermano y regresen a ver al hombre.

Génesis 43:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 43

This chapter informs us how that the famine continued in the land of Canaan, and the corn that Jacob's family had from Egypt being consumed, Jacob pressed his sons to go down for more, which they refused to do, unless Benjamin was sent with them, for whose safety Judah offered to become a surety, Ge 43:1-10; Jacob with reluctance was prevailed upon to let him go, and dismissed them with a present to the governor of Egypt, and with double money to buy corn with, and with his blessing upon them, Ge 43:11-14; upon which they set out for Egypt; and when they came into the presence of Joseph, he seeing Benjamin with them, ordered his steward to have them to his house, and get dinner ready, it being his pleasure that they should dine with him that day, Ge 43:15-17; this threw them into a fright, supposing they were going to be called to an account for the money they found in their sacks; wherefore they related to the steward very particularly the whole of that affair, who bid them not be uneasy, for he had had their money; and as a proof that things would go well with them, brought Simeon out to them, and treated them very kindly and gently, Ge 43:18-24; and having got their present ready against Joseph came home, they delivered it to him with great veneration and submission; who asked of the welfare of their father, and whether that was not their younger brother they spoke of, the sight of whom so affected him, that he was obliged in haste to retire to his chamber, and weep, Ge 43:25-30; and having washed his face, and composed himself, he returned and ordered dinner to be brought, which was set on different tables, one for himself and the Egyptians, and the other for his brethren, whom he placed according to their age, to their great surprise; and sent them messes from his table to each, and to Benjamin five times more than the rest, and they were so liberally entertained, that they became cheerful and merry, Ge 43:31-34.