Genesis 43:3

3 But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

Genesis 43:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 But Judah said to him, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.'
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 But Judah said, "The man warned us most emphatically, 'You won't so much as see my face if you don't have your brother with you.'
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 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.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 Judah said to him, "The man gave us a severe warning: 'You won't be allowed to see me again unless your brother is with you.'
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 But Judah said to him, "The man specifically warned us: 'You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.'
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 But Judah said to him, "The man gave us a strong warning. He said, 'You won't see my face again unless your brother comes with you.'

Genesis 43:3 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:3

And Judah spake unto him
Reuben the eldest son had met with a repulse already, ( Genesis 42:36 ) ; Simeon the next was now in Egypt, ( Genesis 42:24 ) , and Levi, perhaps on account of the affair of Shechem, ( Genesis 34:25-31 ) , did not yet stand well in his father's favour and affection; wherefore Judah being next, with the consent of his brethren, undertakes to manage the affair with him, who had doubtless an interest in him, as well as authority among his brethren, and was a prudent man, and could speak well: saying, the man did solemnly protest unto us;
meaning Joseph, though he then knew not that it was he; whom he calls "the man", not by way of contempt, or as thinking and speaking meanly of him, but the reverse, the great man, the honourable man, the governor of Egypt; and so the Septuagint version adds, "the man, the lord of the land"; he in the strongest terms, and in the most solemn manner, protested by the life of Pharaoh: saying, ye shall not see my face;
with acceptance, should not be admitted to come near him, or treat with him, and purchase any corn of him: except your brother [be] with you;
their youngest brother Benjamin.

Genesis 43:3 In-Context

1 Now the famine was still severe in the land.
2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
3 But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ ”

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 8; Genesis 44:14,18; Genesis 46:28
  • 2. S Genesis 42:15; Genesis 44:23
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