And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

GENESIS 42:22KJV
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Genesis 42:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 42:22 mean?

Genesis 42:22 records Reuben reminding his brothers that he had warned them not to harm Joseph, and now they are facing consequences for their actions. Reuben sees the trouble they are experiencing in Egypt as a direct result of their earlier sin against Joseph, saying that his blood is now being required from them.

In this verse, Reuben is speaking to his brothers while they are in Egypt, accused of being spies and facing distress. He refers back to the time when they sold Joseph, calling him "the child," and points out that he had tried to stop them. Reuben’s words show a sense of guilt and the belief that their current suffering is divine justice for what they did to Joseph.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 42:22

  • The word for "sin" is חָטָא (chata’), which means to miss the mark or do wrong. Reuben uses it to highlight the moral seriousness of what his brothers did to Joseph, not just a mistake but a real wrongdoing.
  • The word for "child" is יֶלֶד (yeled), which often means a young boy or child. Reuben’s use of this word emphasizes Joseph’s vulnerability at the time they harmed him.
  • The word for "blood" is דָּם (dam), which in Hebrew often stands for life itself or guilt for taking life. Reuben’s mention of Joseph’s blood being "required" suggests a reckoning or accountability for their actions.
  • The word for "required" is דָּרַשׁ (darash), which means to seek, demand, or require. Here, it carries the sense that justice is being demanded for Joseph’s mistreatment.

Why Genesis 42:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that at least one brother, Reuben, had a troubled conscience and did not agree with harming Joseph, which adds depth to the family dynamics.
  • Reuben’s words connect their current hardship in Egypt with their past sin, showing a strong belief in moral cause and effect, or divine justice.
  • The verse helps set up the unfolding story of Joseph and his brothers by highlighting their guilt and the consequences of their choices, which is a major theme in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Reuben” Hebrew H7205 · used in 68 verses

  • Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
  • Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
  • Joshua 22:9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

“child” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.