Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:33
Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
33. instead of the lad ] This offer on the part of Judah to remain in Egypt in the bond-service of Joseph, as substitute for Benjamin (LXX ), forms the noble climax of the generous appeal to Joseph’s feelings. The unconscious irony of the situation is heightened by the fact that Judah is unaware of Joseph’s personality, and yet has succeeded in making his appeal hinge upon the reference ( a) to the old age and affectionate feelings of Jacob, and ( b) to the loss which he has already sustained in the death of Benjamin’s elder brother.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Partly in compassion to our aged father, and partly for thy own advantage; because I can be more serviceable to thee than he, because of my greater strength and experience.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord,…. Being, as Jarchi observes preferable to Benjamin for strength, for war, and for service: in this Judah was a type of Christ, from whose tribe he sprung, who became the surety of God’s Benjamins, his children who are beloved by him, and as dear to him as his right hand, and put himself in their legal place and stead, and became sin and a curse for them, that they might go free, as Judah desired his brother Benjamin might, as follows:
and let the lad go up with his brethren; from Egypt to Canaan’s land, to their father there.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Judah closed his appeal with the entreaty, “ Now let thy servant (me) remain instead of the lad as slave to my lord, but let the lad go up with his brethren; for how could I go to my father without the lad being with me! (I cannot,) that I may not see the calamity which will befall my father! ”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
therefore: What must Benjamin have felt when he heard his brother conclude his speech by a proposal which could never have been thought of if it had not been actually made! Perhaps the annals of the whole world do not produce an instance of so heroic and disinterested affection in any mere man.
I pray thee: Exo 32:32, Rom 5:7-10, Rom 9:3
instead: Heb 7:22, 1Jo 3:16
Reciprocal: Gen 43:9 – will be Gen 44:10 – he with whom 1Sa 25:24 – Upon 2Sa 24:17 – let thine 1Ki 18:7 – my lord Elijah 1Ch 21:17 – let thine Pro 6:1 – if thou be