Genesis 42:4 nasb — But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him."

NASB

"But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him.""

— Genesis 42:4, NASB

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Genesis 42:4 in Other Translations

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Genesis 42 — Context

1

Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, "Why are you staring at one another?"

2

He said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die."

3

Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.

4

But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him."

5

So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6

Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

7

When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, "Where have you come from?" And they said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."

Genesis 42:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 42:4 say?
Genesis 42:4 in the NASB reads: “But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him."”
Where is Genesis 42:4 in the Bible?
Genesis 42:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 42, verse 4.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 42:4.
What translation should I read Genesis 42:4 in?
Genesis 42:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 42:4?
Genesis 42:4 reads (NASB): “But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him."” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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