Genesis 43:5
New International Version
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.’”

New Living Translation
But if you don’t let Benjamin go, we won’t go either. Remember, the man said, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”

English Standard Version
But if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”

Berean Standard Bible
But 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.’”

King James Bible
But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

New King James Version
But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

NASB 1995
“But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

NASB 1977
“But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

Amplified Bible
But if you will not send him, we will not go down there; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

Christian Standard Bible
But if you will not send him, we will not go, for the man said to us, ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you will not send him, we will not go, for the man said to us, ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.’"”

American Standard Version
but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

English Revised Version
but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you won't let him go, we won't go. The man said to us, 'You won't be allowed to see me again unless your brother is with you.'"

Good News Translation
If you are not willing, we will not go, because the man told us we would not be admitted to his presence unless our brother was with us."

International Standard Version
But if you don't send him, we're not going, because the man told us, 'You'll never see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

Majority Standard Bible
But 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.??

NET Bible
But if you will not send him, we won't go down there because the man said to us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

New Heart English Bible
but if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, 'You may not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

World English Bible
but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if you are not sending—we do not go down, for the man said to us, You do not see my face without your brother [being] with you.”

Young's Literal Translation
and if thou art not sending -- we do not go down, for the man said unto us, Ye do not see my face without your brother being with you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if thou art not sending, we will not go down, for the man said to us, Ye shall not see my face except your brother is with you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if thou wilt not, we will not go: for the man, as we have often said, declared unto us, saying: You shall not see my face without your youngest brother.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you are not willing, we will not go. For the man, as we have often said, declared to us, saying: ‘You will not see my face without your youngest brother.’ ”

New American Bible
But if you are not willing, we will not go down, because the man told us, ‘You shall not see me unless your brother is with you.’ ”

New Revised Standard Version
but if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, You shall not see my face except your brother is with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if you do not send, we are not going down, because of what the man said to us: ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down, for the man said unto us: Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
but if thou send not our brother with us, we will not go: for the man spoke to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, unless your younger brother be with you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Return to Egypt with Benjamin
4If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 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.’” 6“Why did you bring this trouble upon me?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man you had another brother?”…

Cross References
Genesis 42:20
Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.

Genesis 42:38
But Jacob replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

Genesis 44:23
But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’

Genesis 44:26
But we answered, ‘We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.’

Genesis 42:2
“Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

Genesis 45:9-11
Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. / You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. / And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’

Genesis 46:3-4
“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. / I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Genesis 47:12
Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 6:16
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

1 Samuel 17:32-33
And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail on account of this Philistine. Your servant will go and fight him!” / But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”

2 Kings 7:4
If we say, ‘Let us go into the city,’ we will die there from the famine in the city; but if we sit here, we will also die. So come now, let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they let us live, we will live; if they kill us, we will die.”

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...

Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


Treasury of Scripture

But if you will not send him, we will not go down: for the man said to us, You shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

will not.

Genesis 42:38
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

Genesis 44:26
And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

Exodus 20:12
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

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Genesis 43
1. Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.
15. Joseph entertains his brothers.
19. They discover their fears to the steward.
26. Joseph makes them a feast.














But if you will not send him
This phrase reflects the conditional nature of the brothers' journey to Egypt. The Hebrew word for "send" is שָׁלַח (shalach), which often implies a release or dispatch with purpose. In this context, it underscores the necessity of Benjamin's presence for the brothers' mission. The patriarchal authority of Jacob is evident here, as his decision directly impacts the survival of his family. This moment is a test of faith and trust in God's provision, as Jacob must release his beloved son into uncertain circumstances.

we will not go down
The phrase "go down" is significant, as it refers to the physical journey to Egypt, a land that symbolizes both refuge and potential danger. The Hebrew word יָרַד (yarad) means to descend, which can also imply a humbling or lowering of oneself. This journey is not just a geographical movement but a spiritual and emotional descent into reliance on God's plan. The brothers' refusal to go without Benjamin highlights their understanding of the gravity of the situation and their respect for the conditions set by the Egyptian ruler.

because the man told us
"The man" refers to Joseph, who, unbeknownst to his brothers, is the very sibling they sold into slavery. The Hebrew term אִישׁ (ish) is used here, emphasizing Joseph's authority and the anonymity of his identity to his brothers. This phrase underscores the theme of divine providence and the unfolding of God's plan through human agents. Joseph's position of power is a testament to God's ability to elevate and use individuals for His purposes, even when His ways are hidden from human understanding.

‘You will not see my face again
Seeing someone's face in ancient Near Eastern culture was often associated with favor and acceptance. The Hebrew word פָּנִים (panim) for "face" conveys presence and relational intimacy. Joseph's statement is a stern warning that without compliance, there will be no further opportunity for reconciliation or provision. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for the necessity of obedience and alignment with God's will to experience His presence and blessings.

unless your brother is with you.’”
The condition set by Joseph is pivotal, as it requires the brothers to bring Benjamin, the youngest and most beloved son of Jacob. The Hebrew word אָח (ach) for "brother" emphasizes familial bonds and the importance of unity and reconciliation. This requirement is a catalyst for the brothers' transformation and repentance, as they must confront their past actions and demonstrate their integrity. It is a reminder of the redemptive power of God, who orchestrates circumstances to bring about healing and restoration within families and communities.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you will not
אֵינְךָ֥ (’ê·nə·ḵā)
Adverb | second person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

send him,
מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ (mə·šal·lê·aḥ)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

we will not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go;
נֵרֵ֑ד (nê·rêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the man
הָאִ֞ישׁ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

told
אָמַ֤ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

us,
אֵלֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ê·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘You will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see
תִרְא֣וּ (ṯir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

my face
פָנַ֔י (p̄ā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

again unless
בִּלְתִּ֖י (bil·tî)
Preposition
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until

your brother
אֲחִיכֶ֥ם (’ă·ḥî·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

is with you.’”
אִתְּכֶֽם׃ (’it·tə·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among


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OT Law: Genesis 43:5 But if you'll not send him we'll (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 43:4
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