But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
Parallel translations
- WEB Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
- KJV And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
- ESV But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
- NKJV But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
- NASB Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man sternly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
- NLT But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 reminds his father that they cannot return without Benjamin. He insists on facing the reality Jacob wishes to avoid.
Overview
Judah speaks plainly about the lord's solemn warning, refusing to make a futile trip. His emerging leadership contrasts with Reuben's earlier failed appeal. Judah, ancestor of David and ultimately of Christ, begins here to take responsibility, a role that will culminate in his offer to stand surety for Benjamin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 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.’”
- 2 Sam 14:28Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king.
- 2 Sam 14:32“Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”
- Acts 20:25Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.
- Acts 20:38They were especially grieved by his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
- Acts 7:34I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
- Gen 42:33–34Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.
- 2 Sam 14:24But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the king.
- Gen 42:15–20And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
- 2 Sam 3:13“Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”
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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 43:3 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.