And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

GENESIS 43:8KJV
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Genesis 43:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:8 mean?

Genesis 43:8 shows Judah urging his father Israel to let Benjamin go with him to Egypt, promising that they will all go together so their family can survive the famine. Judah stresses that their lives, including those of their children, depend on this journey.

In this verse, Judah is speaking directly to his father, Israel (also known as Jacob), during a time of severe famine. The brothers need to return to Egypt to buy food, but the Egyptian official (Joseph, though they do not know it yet) has demanded that they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin. Judah takes responsibility and pleads for Benjamin to be sent, highlighting the urgency and the risk to the entire family if they do not act.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:8

  • "Send" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word carries the sense of dispatching or letting go, emphasizing that Israel must release Benjamin into Judah's care, not just permit a casual journey.
  • "Lad" (נַעַר, na'ar): This term can refer to a young man or boy; here, it underscores Benjamin's youth and vulnerability, which adds weight to Judah's promise of protection.
  • "Live" (חָיָה, chayah) and "die" (מוּת, muth): These words set up a stark contrast, making it clear that Judah sees the situation as a matter of life and death for the whole family, not just a routine trip.

Why Genesis 43:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies Judah's growing leadership role among his brothers, as he steps forward to take responsibility for Benjamin's safety.
  • The urgency in Judah's words highlights the severity of the famine and the desperation of Jacob's family, making the stakes of the journey clear.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Joseph and his brothers, setting up the events that will lead to their eventual reunion and the preservation of their family.

Where else these words appear

“ones” Hebrew H2945 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
  • Numbers 31:9 And the children of Israel took all the women of Midian captives, and their little ones, and took the spoil of all their cattle, and all their flocks, and all their goods.
  • Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;