Genesis 43:3
New International Version
But Judah said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

New Living Translation
But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

English Standard Version
But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Berean Standard Bible
But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

New American Standard Bible
Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man sternly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

NASB 1995
Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

NASB 1977
Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

Amplified Bible
But Judah said to him, “The man [representing Pharaoh] solemnly and sternly warned us, saying, ‘You will not see my face [again] unless your brother is with you.’

Christian Standard Bible
But Judah said to him, “The man specifically warned us, ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Judah said to him, “The man specifically warned us: ‘You will not see me again unless your brother is with you.’

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Judah said to him, "The man gave us a severe warning: 'You won't be allowed to see me again unless your brother is with you.'

Good News Translation
Judah said to him, "The man sternly warned us that we would not be admitted to his presence unless we had our brother with us.

International Standard Version
But Judah reminded him, "The man distinctly warned us: 'You'll never see my face unless your brother comes with you.'

Majority Standard Bible
But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’

NET Bible
But Judah said to him, "The man solemnly warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

New Heart English Bible
But Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man strictly warned us, saying, 'You may not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man did solemnly protest to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

World English Bible
Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Judah speaks to him, saying, “The man protesting protested to us, saying, You do not see my face without your brother [being] with you;

Young's Literal Translation
And Judah speaketh unto him, saying, 'The man protesting protested to us, saying, Ye do not see my face without your brother being with you;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Judah will speak to him, saying, Protesting, the man protested to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother is with you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Juda answered: The man declared unto us with the atteststion of an oath, saying: You shall not see my face, unless you bring your youngest brother with you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Judah answered: “The man himself declared to us, under the attestation of an oath, saying: ‘You will not see my face, unless you bring your youngest brother with you.’

New American Bible
But Judah replied: “The man strictly warned us, ‘You shall not see me unless your brother is with you.’

New Revised Standard Version
But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Judah said to him, The man did solemnly charge us, saying, You shall not see my face except your brother is with you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Yehuda said to him, “The man swore and testified to us and said, “You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Judah spoke unto him, saying: 'The man did earnestly forewarn us, saying: Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Judas spoke to him, saying, The man, the lord of the country, positively testified 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
2So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” 3But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 4If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.…

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 42:34
But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

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 42:15
And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

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 44:26
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 45:3
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 46:29-30
Joseph prepared his chariot and went there to meet his father Israel. Joseph presented himself to him, embraced him, and wept profusely. / Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

Genesis 47:29-31
When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise to show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt, / but when I lie down with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me with them.” Joseph answered, “I will do as you have requested.” / “Swear to me,” Jacob said. So Joseph swore to him, and Israel bowed in worship at the head of his bed.

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. ...

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 5:16
Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Matthew 15:4
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

Matthew 19:19
honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Mark 7:10
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’


Treasury of Scripture

And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man did solemnly protest to us, saying, You shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

man.

Genesis 42:15-20,33,34
Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither…

Genesis 44:23
And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

did solemnly protest.

Acts 7:34
I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

see my face.

Genesis 43:5
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.

2 Samuel 3:13
And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.

2 Samuel 14:24,28,32
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face…

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Earnestly Except Face Forewarn However Judah Oath Protest Protested Protesting Solemnly Unless Warned
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 Judah replied
The phrase "But Judah replied" introduces us to Judah, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who emerges as a leader among his brothers. The Hebrew name "Judah" (יְהוּדָה, Yehudah) means "praise" or "thanksgiving." Historically, Judah's role is significant as he becomes the forefather of the tribe of Judah, from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descend. This moment marks a turning point where Judah steps into a leadership role, reflecting a transformation from his earlier actions in Genesis.

The man
"The man" refers to Joseph, who is now the governor of Egypt, though his brothers do not recognize him. In Hebrew, the term used is "הָאִישׁ" (ha'ish), a common term for "man," but here it carries the weight of authority and power. Joseph's position as "the man" in Egypt is pivotal, as he holds the fate of his family in his hands, symbolizing God's providential plan working through human history.

solemnly warned us
The phrase "solemnly warned us" indicates the seriousness of Joseph's command. The Hebrew root for "warned" is "עָנָה" (anah), which can mean to testify or to respond. This warning is not just a casual statement but a binding condition that carries the weight of life and death, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the necessity of obedience to Joseph's command.

You will not see my face again
This phrase underscores the severity of Joseph's warning. In ancient Near Eastern culture, to "see someone's face" often meant to be in their presence or to receive their favor. The Hebrew idiom here implies that without compliance, there will be no further audience or opportunity for reconciliation. It highlights the estrangement between Joseph and his brothers and the conditions for their restoration.

unless your brother is with you
The condition "unless your brother is with you" refers to Benjamin, Joseph's only full brother. The Hebrew word for "brother" is "אָח" (ach), which signifies not only a familial relationship but also a bond of kinship and loyalty. This requirement tests the brothers' integrity and unity, as they must bring Benjamin to prove their honesty. It also foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and restoration of the family, a theme central to the narrative of Genesis.

Verse 3. - And Judah spake unto him, saying, - Judah now becomes the spokesman, either because Reuben's entreaty had been rejected, and Levi, who followed Reuben and Simeon in respect of age, had forfeited his father's confidence though his treachery to the Shechemites (Keil, Murphy); or because he could speak to his father with greater freedom, having a freer conscience than the rest (Lange); or because he was a man possessed of greater prudence and ability than the rest (Lawson), if indeed the suggestion is not correct that they all endeavored to persuade their father, though Judah's eloquence alone is recorded (Calvin) - the man (i4 e. the Egyptian viceroy) did solemnly protest (literally, protesting did protest, i.e. did earnestly protest) unto us, saying, - with an oath which is not here repeated (Genesis 42:15) - Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

replied,
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

solemnly warned
הָעֵ֣ד (hā·‘êḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore

us,
בָּ֨נוּ (bā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

‘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 43:3 Judah spoke to him saying The man (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 43:2
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