King James Version
Genesis 43:5 in the King James Version says “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 brot...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Genesis 43:5 · KJV
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. did: Heb. protesting protested
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
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.
And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
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? asked: Heb. asking asked us tenor: Heb. mouth could: Heb. knowing could we know
KJV Study — Public Domain
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“But if thou wilt not send”
H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“him we will not go down”
H3381to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“for the man”
H376a 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)
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“unto us Ye shall not see”
H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
“my face”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
“except your brother”
H251a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
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.
Genesis 43:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Genesis 43:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge