Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 43:14
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.
14. God Almighty ] Heb. El Shaddai. See note on Gen 17:1. Unless inserted by the Compiler, this is the only occurrence of this Sacred Name in JE (see note on Gen 49:23, which is earlier than JE). Jacob gives his parting blessing. Notice the emphasis on Benjamin’s name, and the reference to Simeon (E).
give you mercy ] Cf. the parallel expression in Neh 1:11. Lat. facial vobis eum placabilem gives the general meaning.
if I be bereaved ] or, “according as I am bereaved.” Jacob is resigned, he is ready mournfully to acquiesce in the Divine will. His forebodings are gloomy. Cf. Gen 42:36. His expectation of the worst result heightens the interest of the story, as the crisis is evidently approaching.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. This verse may be literally translated thus: “And God, the all-sufficient, shall give you tender mercies before the man, and send to you your other brother, and Benjamin; and I, as I shall be childless, so I shall be childless.” That is, I will submit to this privation, till God shall restore my children. It appears that this verse is spoken prophetically; and that God at this time gave Jacob a supernatural evidence that his children should be restored.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
An expression whereby he submits himself and children to Gods will and providence, whatever the issue shall be. Compare Est 4:16. Or thus, As I have been already
bereaved of some of my dearest children, so I shall be bereaved of the rest, and I shall be left solitary; and if this be my portion, Gods will be done.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. God Almighty give you mercybefore the manJacob is here committing them all to the care ofGod and, resigned to what appears a heavy trial, prays that it may beoverruled for good.
Ge43:15-30. ARRIVAL INEGYPT.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man,…. Who has the hearts of all men in his hands, kings, princes, governors, even those who are the most cruel and hardhearted, rough and severe in their tempers and dispositions, and such an one they had represented this man to be; one that had spoke roughly to them, and used them roughly: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind, and now he puts up a prayer to God, and dismisses his sons with his good wishes for them, that God would incline the heart of the governor to show kindness to them, and let them have corn, nor use any of them ill: particularly,
that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin; release Simeon, and send him and Benjamin aiming with them when they returned:
if I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved; this he said, not as utterly despairing of their return, but as expressive of his patient submission to the divine will, be it as it may be.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Thus Israel let his sons go with the blessing, “ God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may liberate to you your other brother ( Simeon) and Benjamin; ” and with this resigned submission to the will of God, “ And I, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved, ” i.e., if I am to lose my children, let it be so! For this mode of expression, cf. Est 4:16 and 2Ki 7:4. with the pausal a, answering to the feelings of the speaker, which is frequently used for o; e.g., for , Gen 49:27.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
14. If I be bereaved. Jacob may seem here to be hardly consistent with himself; for, if the prayer which Moses has just related, was the effect of faith, he ought to have been more calm; and, at least, to have given occasion to the manifestation of the grace of God. But he appears to cut himself off from every ground of confidence, when he supposes that nothing is left for him but bereavement. It is like the speech of a man in despair, “I shall remain bereaved as I am.” As if truly he had prayed in vain; or had feignedly professed that the remedy was in the hand of God. If, however, we observe to whom his speech was directed, the solution is easy. It is by no means doubtful that he stood firmly on the promise which had been given to him, and therefore he would hope for some fruit of his prayers; yet he wished deeply to affect his sons, in order that they might take greater care of their brother. For, it was in no common manner that Benjamin was intrusted to their protection, when they saw their father altogether overcome and almost lifeless with grief, until he should receive his son again in safety. Interpreters, however, expound these words variously. Some think that he complained, because now he was about to be entirely bereaved. To others, the meaning seems to be, that nothing worse could happen; since he had lost Joseph, whom he had preferred to all the rest. Others are disposed to mark a double bereavement, as if he had said, “I have lost two sons, and now a third follows them.” But what, if we should thus interpret the words, “I see what is my condition; I am a most wretched old man; my house, which lately was filled with people, I find almost deserted.” So that, in general terms, he is deploring the loss of all his sons, and is not speaking of a part only. Moreover, it was his design to inspire his sons with a degree of solicitude which should cause them to attend to their duty with greater fidelity and diligence. (168)
(168) There is, however, another interpretation of the passage which is worthy of attention. In our version, the words are, “If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved;” but the expression, of my children, is not in the original. The close translation is simply, “If I be bereaved, I am bereaved.” And this may be the language of entire resignation to the will of God. Jacob had had a severe struggle in his mind, before he could give up his beloved Benjamin: But having at length succeeded, he seems now freely to surrender himself and his family to the divine will. “If I am bereaved, I am bereaved.” I know the worst, and I am prepared to meet it. Ainsworth says, “A like phrase is in Est 4:16, ‘If I perish, I perish.’ Both of them seem to be a committing of themselves, and of the event of their actions, unto God in faith; which, if it fell out otherwise than they wished, they would patiently bear.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) God Almighty.Heb., El Shaddai, the name by which Abrahams covenant (Gen. 17:1) was renewed to Jacob (Gen. 35:11).
If I be bereaved . . . An expression of pious resignation, united with heartfelt anguish. The inserted words of my children lessen the pathos of the patriarchs ejaculation, which literally is and I, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. God Almighty Hebrews, El Shaddai . Jacob uses the divine name so sacredly associated with the covenant and promises . Compare Gen 17:1; Gen 35:11.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 43:14. If I be bereaved Houbigant says that the Hebrew is verbatim, But I, as I shall be bereaved, so I will be bereaved: ego autem, ut orbus ero, ita orbus ero. One word demonstrates the event of the thing; the other, a mind prepared for that event, and that not a desirable one. So Esther, before she went in to king Ahasuerus, said, “If I must perish, I will perish;” (so it is in the original;) Est 4:16. The prudence of Jacob is discernible in the present which he sent to Joseph; his justice, in the care which he took to restore the money found in the sacks; his piety, in the address which he makes to God Almighty for the success of their journey: but that which crowns all these virtues, is the perfect resignation which he shews to the will of GodIf I be bereaved, I am, or rather, will be bereaved; if Providence think fit to deprive me of my children, I will submit, and bear it as patiently as I am able, entirely referring myself and the success of this whole affair to him.
Note; 1. What a blessing is bread! Neither the mines of India, nor the spices of Arabia, can supply the want of it. 2. Submission to God’s will is not only most for his glory, but for our comfort also. 3. Prayer should sanctify all our journies. If God Almighty go with us, mercy will compass us on every side.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 43:14 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.
Ver. 14. And God Almighty give you mercy. ] Heb., Give you bowels, the seat of mercy. Here God not only grants Jacob’s prayer, but fulfils his counsel, gives him the very particular he prays for. Gen 43:30 Joseph’s “bowels yearned upon Benjamin.”
If I be bereaved, I am bereaved.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
God Almighty. Hebrew. El Shaddai. App-4.
mercy. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). Mercy put for the favours shown.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gen 43:11
And God: Gen 17:1, Gen 22:14, Gen 32:11-28, Gen 39:21, Ezr 7:27, Neh 1:11, Est 4:16, Psa 37:5-7, Psa 85:7, Psa 100:5, Psa 119:41, Pro 1:1, Pro 16:7, Pro 21:1, Isa 49:13, Luk 1:50, Act 7:10, Act 21:14, 1Ti 1:2, 1Ti 1:16, Tit 1:4, 2Jo 1:3
If I be: etc. or, and I, as I have been, etc. Est 4:16
Reciprocal: Gen 24:12 – I pray Gen 28:3 – God Gen 35:11 – God Almighty Gen 35:18 – Benjamin Gen 42:4 – Lest Gen 42:36 – Me have ye Gen 43:23 – Simeon Gen 44:12 – and the cup Gen 44:29 – And if Rth 1:20 – the Almighty Rth 2:13 – Let me find Ezr 6:6 – be ye far Ezr 7:28 – extended Pro 29:26 – ruler’s favour Ecc 2:20 – General Rev 1:8 – the Almighty
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 43:14. God Almighty give you mercy before the man! Jacob had formerly turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer, and here he betakes himself to the same tried method. Those that would find mercy with men must seek it of God. He concludes all with this, If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved If I must part with them thus, one after another, I acquiesce, and say, The will of the Lord be done.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
43:14 And {c} God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be {d} bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.
(c) Our main trust should be in God, not in worldly means.
(d) He speaks these words not so much in despair, but to make his sons more careful to return with their brother.