King James Version

What Does Genesis 43:14 Mean?

Genesis 43:14 in the King James Version says “And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. If: or, And I, as I have been, etc.”

Genesis 43:14 · KJV

Context

12

And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

13

Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. If: or, And I, as I have been, etc.

15

And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16

And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay , and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. slay: Heb. kill a killing dine: Heb. eat

Read Genesis 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjam... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֵ֣ל1 of 18

“And God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

שַׁדַּ֗י2 of 18

“Almighty”

H7706

the almighty

יִתֵּ֨ן3 of 18

“give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶ֤ם4 of 18
H0
רַֽחֲמִים֙5 of 18

“you mercy”

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

לִפְנֵ֣י6 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאִ֔ישׁ7 of 18

“the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְשִׁלַּ֥ח8 of 18

“that he may send away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לָכֶ֛ם9 of 18
H0
אֶת10 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲחִיכֶ֥ם11 of 18

“brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אַחֵ֖ר12 of 18

“your other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וְאֶת13 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּנְיָמִ֑ין14 of 18

“and Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַֽאֲנִ֕י15 of 18
H589

i

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 18

“If”

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁכָֽלְתִּי׃17 of 18

“I be bereaved”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

שָׁכָֽלְתִּי׃18 of 18

“I be bereaved”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 43:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 43:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Esther 4:16Genesis 17:1Acts 21:14Proverbs 16:7Genesis 22:14Nehemiah 1:11

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 43 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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