King James Version

What Does Genesis 43:29 Mean?

Genesis 43:29 in the King James Version says “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of wh...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.”

Genesis 43:29 · KJV

Context

27

And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? welfare: Heb. peace Is your: Heb. Is there peace to your father?

28

And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

29

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

30

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

31

And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Read Genesis 43 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your yo... 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. What theological truths about Brothers' Second Journey emerge from this passage?
  2. How should this truth about Feast shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיִּשָּׂ֣א1 of 19

“And he lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

עֵינָ֗יו2 of 19

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיַּ֞רְא3 of 19

“and saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת4 of 19
H853

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

בִּנְיָמִ֣ין5 of 19

“Benjamin”

H1144

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

אֲחִיכֶ֣ם6 of 19

“brother”

H251

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

בְּנִֽי׃7 of 19

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִמּוֹ֒8 of 19

“his mother's”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר9 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הֲזֶה֙10 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲחִיכֶ֣ם11 of 19

“brother”

H251

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

הַקָּטֹ֔ן12 of 19

“Is this your younger”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 19
H834

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

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר14 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֑י15 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיֹּאמַ֕ר16 of 19

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלֹהִ֥ים17 of 19

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יָחְנְךָ֖18 of 19

“be gracious”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

בְּנִֽי׃19 of 19

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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 43:29 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 43:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 42:13Numbers 6:25Genesis 30:22-24Psalms 112:4Matthew 9:22Genesis 45:8

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