Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.
Parallel translations
- WEB Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
- KJV But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
- NKJV And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so.
- NASB and bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so.
- NLT But you must bring your youngest brother back to me. This will prove that you are telling the truth, and you will not die.” To this they agreed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Bringing Benjamin will verify their words and spare their lives; they agree. The condition binds them to return and face Joseph again.
Overview
Joseph ties their survival to producing Benjamin, ensuring the family will be reunited before him. The brothers' compliance sets the stage for Jacob's anguish and Judah's eventual pledge. Through these terms God draws the scattered family toward the restoration that will preserve the line of promise.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Gen 44:23But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’
- Gen 43:5But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
- Gen 42:34But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”
- Gen 42:15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
- John 2:5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
- Gen 6:22So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.
- Gen 42:26and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed.
- Gen 43:19So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 42:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.