Bible Strands
Genesis 42:37
Then Reuben said to his father, “You may kill my two sons if I fail to bring him back to you. Put him in my care, and I will return him.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Reuben addresses his father Jacob immediately after Jacob laments losing Joseph and Simeon. He volunteers to personally guarantee Benjamin's safe return before the brothers depart for Egypt.
The words — The Hebrew phrase שְׁנֵי בָנַי (she.nei va.na.y) translates literally as "my two sons," establishing the specific collateral Reuben offers. The verb וַיֹּאמֶר (va.yo.mer) introduces this pledge as a formal, binding statement.
The thread — Reuben's sons appear in the family register of Genesis 46:9, grounding his promise in his actual household. A structurally identical guarantee for Benjamin appears in Genesis 43:9, where Judah assumes the role of guarantor.
Why it lands — The text records a human attempt to secure paternal trust through personal risk and collateral. It requires the reader to note how family promises function as temporary bridges to uncertain outcomes.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
Cross-references
- Genesis 46:9 The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
- Micah 6:7 Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
- Genesis 43:9 I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.
- Genesis 44:32 Indeed, your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will bear the guilt before you, my father, all my life.’