And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

GENESIS 42:38KJV
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Genesis 42:38 (KJV)

What does Genesis 42:38 mean?

Genesis 42:38 shows Jacob refusing to let his son Benjamin go with his brothers to Egypt, fearing that if anything happens to Benjamin, it would bring him unbearable sorrow and hasten his own death. Jacob explains that since he believes Joseph is dead, Benjamin is his only remaining son from Rachel, and losing him would be too much to bear.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking to his sons after they have returned from Egypt and told him that the Egyptian official (Joseph, though they do not know it) demanded Benjamin come with them next time. Jacob’s deep attachment to Benjamin is clear, as is his grief over Joseph. The verse highlights Jacob’s fear, his sense of loss, and the heavy burden he feels as a father who has already suffered greatly.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 42:38

  • "Mischief" (אָסוֹן, 'ason) means a serious calamity or disaster, not just ordinary trouble. Jacob is expressing fear of a truly devastating loss, not a minor mishap.
  • "Grave" (שְׁאוֹל, sheol) refers to the realm of the dead or the grave itself. Jacob’s words suggest that losing Benjamin would send him to his death in grief, not just make him sad.
  • "Gray hairs" (שֵׂיבָה, seivah) is a Hebrew way of referring to old age. Jacob is saying that sorrow would bring his old age to a miserable end.

Why Genesis 42:38 matters

  • This verse clarifies why Jacob is so reluctant to let Benjamin go, showing the depth of his trauma from losing Joseph and his protective love for Rachel’s last son.
  • The language Jacob uses connects his personal grief to the larger story of the family’s struggles and the unfolding events in Egypt.
  • Understanding Jacob’s mindset here helps explain the tension and decisions in the following chapters, especially when the brothers must persuade him to let Benjamin go.

Where else these words appear

“mischief” Hebrew H611 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
  • Genesis 44:29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
  • 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.

“sorrow” Hebrew H3015 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 44:31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
  • Psalms 107:39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
  • Jeremiah 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.

“befall” Hebrew H7122 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
  • Deuteronomy 22:6 If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:
  • Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

“hairs” Hebrew H7872 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
  • Judges 8:32 And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
  • Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.