And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

GENESIS 44:20KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 44:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 44:20 mean?

Genesis 44:20 records Joseph’s brothers explaining to the Egyptian ruler (who is actually Joseph in disguise) that they have an elderly father and a youngest brother, the only remaining son of their father’s beloved wife, since his brother is dead. They emphasize how much their father loves this youngest son.

In this scene, Judah is speaking to Joseph, pleading for mercy. The brothers are trying to explain their family situation honestly, highlighting their father’s deep attachment to Benjamin, the youngest. This sets up the emotional tension, as Joseph is testing whether his brothers have changed since they sold him, the other son of Rachel, into slavery years before.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 44:20

  • "said" (אָמַר, amar): This word is used for ordinary speech, showing the brothers are simply recounting what they told Joseph earlier, not making a formal declaration.
  • "child" (יֶלֶד, yeled): The use of this word emphasizes Benjamin’s youth and vulnerability, even though he is not literally a small child at this point.
  • "dead" (מֵת, met): The brothers state that Joseph is dead, which is what they believe or want Joseph to believe, adding to the emotional weight of the story.
  • "loveth" (אָהַב, ahav): This word for love points to a deep, personal affection, not just a sense of duty or obligation. It highlights the special bond between Jacob and Benjamin.

Why Genesis 44:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies the family dynamics, especially the unique place Benjamin holds as the last son of Rachel, which is crucial for understanding Jacob’s fear of losing him.
  • The brothers’ words reveal their awareness of their father’s grief and the consequences of losing another son, setting up the test of their character.
  • By restating Joseph’s supposed death, the verse reminds the reader of the unresolved guilt and tension that still hangs over the brothers from their earlier betrayal.

Where else these words appear

“age” Hebrew H2208 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
  • Genesis 21:7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
  • Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

“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.

“one” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:30 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.

“left” Hebrew H3498 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 30:36 And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.
  • Joshua 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:77 Unto the rest of the children of Merari were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs: