For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
Parallel translations
- WEB for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”
- BSB If we had not delayed, we could have come and gone twice by now.”
- NKJV For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”
- NASB For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.”
- NLT If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.”
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
Judah notes that needless delay has already cost them a second trip. He presses for prompt action.
Overview
Judah argues that hesitation has wasted time they could not afford during famine. His urgency reflects responsible concern for the family's survival. The remark gently rebukes Jacob's reluctance and moves the household toward the decisive journey.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- Gen 19:16And 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.
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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 43:10 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
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