Genesis 44:19
New International Version
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

New Living Translation
“My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

English Standard Version
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’

Berean Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

Berean Literal Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Is there for you⁺ a father or a brother?’

King James Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

New King James Version
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

New American Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

NASB 1995
“My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

NASB 1977
“My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

Legacy Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

Amplified Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’

Berean Annotated Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you⁺ have a father or a brother?

Christian Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother? ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?

American Standard Version
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

Contemporary English Version
You asked us if our father was still alive and if we had any more brothers.

English Revised Version
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sir, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Good News Translation
Sir, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or another brother?'

International Standard Version
Your Excellency asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or brother?'

NET Bible
My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

New Heart English Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Webster's Bible Translation
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

World English Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My lord has asked his servants, saying, Do you have a father or brother?

Berean Literal Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Is there for you⁺ a father or a brother?’

Young's Literal Translation
My lord hath asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father or brother?

Smith's Literal Translation
My lord didst ask thy servants, saying, Is there a father to you, or a brother?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My lord. Thou didst ask thy servants the first time: Have you a father or a brother?

Catholic Public Domain Version
My lord, you questioned your servants before: ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

New American Bible
My lord asked his servants, ‘Have you a father, or another brother?’

New Revised Standard Version
My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father or a brother?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My lord asked his servants, saying, Have you a father, or a brother?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My Lord asked his Servants and said, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?.’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
My lord asked his servants, saying: Have ye a father, or a brother?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Sir, thou askedst thy servants, saying, Have ye a father or a brother?

Additional Translations ...



Context
Judah Pleads for Benjamin
18Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. 19My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ 20And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’…

Cross References
My lord asked his servants,

Genesis 42:7
And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”

Genesis 42:11
We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”

Genesis 42:12
“No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”
‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

Genesis 43:7
They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?”

Genesis 42:13
But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Genesis 43:27
He asked if they were well, and then he asked, “How is your elderly father you told me about? Is he still alive?”
Genesis 43:3-5
But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. / 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.’”

Genesis 37:5-11
Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” …

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 37:19-20
“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”

Genesis 42:21-22
Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

Genesis 45:1-3
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. / Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

Genesis 50:15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. …

Acts 7:9-10
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Acts 7:13-14
On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh. / Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.


Treasury of Scripture

My lord asked his servants, saying, Have you a father, or a brother?

Genesis 42:7-10
And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food…

Genesis 43:7,29
And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? …

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Genesis 44
1. Joseph's policy to stay his brothers.
6. The silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
14. They are brought before Joseph.
18. Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.












My lord asked his servants,

Joseph’s brothers address him according to his rank as Egypt’s governor, unaware that he is the brother they sold into slavery. Their deference reflects the reversal Joseph had foreseen in his dreams, as the family now stands before him in need.

Gen 42:7 And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them,…
Gen 42:11 We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men…
Gen 42:12 “No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land…

‘Do you have a father or a brother?’

Joseph draws out details about Jacob and Benjamin without disclosing his identity. His question prepares for the test involving Benjamin and reveals whether his brothers have changed since their earlier betrayal.

Gen 43:7 They replied, “The man questioned us in detail…”…
Gen 42:13 But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers.”…
Gen 43:27 He asked if they were well, and then he asked,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judah
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Judah emerges as a leader among his brothers. In Genesis 44, he steps forward to plead with Joseph on behalf of his brother Benjamin.

2. Joseph
The governor of Egypt, who is actually Judah's brother, though his identity is not yet known to his brothers. Joseph tests his brothers' integrity and repentance by placing a silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

3. Benjamin
The youngest son of Jacob and the only full brother of Joseph. He is central to the events of Genesis 44, as Joseph's test revolves around him.

4. Jacob (Israel)
The father of the twelve tribes of Israel, who remains in Canaan while his sons deal with Joseph in Egypt. His deep love for Benjamin is a key element in Judah's plea.

5. Egypt
The setting of this account, where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy grain during a famine.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Responsibility
Judah's willingness to take responsibility for Benjamin highlights the importance of stepping up as a leader and protector in times of crisis.

Repentance and Change
The transformation in Judah and his brothers from their earlier betrayal of Joseph to their current willingness to sacrifice for Benjamin demonstrates true repentance and change of heart.

Family and Sacrifice
The account underscores the value of family and the lengths to which one should go to protect and preserve familial bonds.

God's Sovereignty and Providence
The unfolding events reveal God's hand in orchestrating circumstances for His purposes, even through human actions and decisions.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 44:19?

2. How does Genesis 44:19 highlight the importance of honesty in our lives?

3. What role does accountability play in Genesis 44:19's narrative?

4. How does Genesis 44:19 connect to Joseph's earlier dreams in Genesis 37?

5. How can we apply Genesis 44:19's lessons on responsibility in our families?

6. What does Genesis 44:19 teach about leadership and stewardship in challenging situations?

7. What is the significance of Joseph's cup in Genesis 44:19?

8. How does Genesis 44:19 reflect Joseph's relationship with his brothers?

9. Why does Joseph test his brothers in Genesis 44:19?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 44?


Genesis 44:19 records Judah recounting Joseph’s earlier questions. Each phrase highlights Joseph’s God-given authority, the brothers’ servant posture, the covenant importance of their father, and their duty toward Benjamin. The verse underscores how God uses probing questions to uncover hearts, preserve family, and advance His saving purposes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
My lord
אֲדֹנִ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

asked
שָׁאַ֔ל (šā·’al)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

his servants,
עֲבָדָ֖יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

‘Do you have
הֲיֵשׁ־ (hă·yêš-)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

a father
אָ֖ב (’āḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

or
אוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

a brother?’
אָֽח׃ (’āḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )


Additonal Resources
Genesis 44:19 Blue Letter Bible
Genesis 44:19 Bible Gateway
Genesis 44:19 Bible.com

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Genesis 44:19 Study Bible
Genesis 44:19 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 44:19 Chinese Bible
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Genesis 44:19 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 44:19 My lord asked his servants saying 'Have (Gen. Ge Gn)

Genesis 44:18
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