For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

GENESIS 43:10KJV
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Genesis 43:10 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:10 mean?

Genesis 43:10 means that if the brothers had not delayed, they could have already made the journey to Egypt and returned a second time by now. The verse highlights regret over lost time due to hesitation.

In this verse, Judah is speaking to his father Jacob. The family is facing famine, and the brothers need to go back to Egypt to buy more food, but Jacob has been reluctant to send Benjamin with them. Judah points out that their delay—caused by Jacob’s hesitation—has cost them valuable time, and they could have already completed the trip twice if they had acted sooner.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:10

  • "except" (לוּלֵי, lulei): This word often introduces a condition that did not happen, emphasizing what might have been. Here, it stresses the missed opportunity because of their delay.
  • "lingered" (הִתְמַהְמָהְנוּ, hitmahmahnu): This word means to hesitate or delay. Judah is directly addressing the fact that their waiting has been costly.
  • "returned" (שַׁבְנוּ, shavnu): This verb means to go back or return. Judah uses it to underline that they could have already completed the journey.
  • "time" (פַּעַם, pa‘am): This word means an occurrence or instance, here referring to the number of trips they could have made.

Why Genesis 43:10 matters

  • Genesis 43:10 clarifies that the brothers’ delay was not just inconvenient but had real consequences, sharpening the urgency of their situation.
  • The verse shows Judah taking a leadership role and speaking frankly to his father, which sets up his later actions in the story.
  • This verse connects to the wider narrative by highlighting the tension and anxiety within Jacob’s family, especially around the decision to trust God and let Benjamin go.

Where else these words appear

“lingered” Hebrew H4102 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
  • Judges 3:26 And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
  • Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

“except” Hebrew H3884 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • 2 Samuel 2:27 And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother.
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.

“time” Hebrew H6471 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • Deuteronomy 10:10 And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee.
  • 2 Kings 5:14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.