Bible Strands
Genesis 43:3
But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Judah addresses Jacob and the brothers immediately after Jacob commands them to return to Egypt for grain. He reports the Egyptian official’s strict requirement that the journey cannot proceed without the younger brother.
The words — The Hebrew הֵעִד (he.'Id) means “he warned,” coupled with הָ/אִ֤ישׁ (ha./'Ish) for “the man,” grounding the condition in a direct, authoritative declaration rather than a casual suggestion.
The thread — The same warning appears in Genesis 43:5 and Genesis 44:23 as the brothers repeat the official’s demand, and it connects to the testing framework in Genesis 42:15 where the youngest brother’s presence is required for release.
Why it lands — The text forces the reader to see that survival here depends on submitting to a non-negotiable condition, making the brothers’ compliance a practical necessity rather than a voluntary choice.
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 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.
Cross-references
- 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 43:5 But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
- 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 42:33 Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.
- 2 Samuel 3:13 “Good,” replied David, “I will make a covenant with you. But there is one thing I require of you: Do not appear before me unless you bring Saul’s daughter Michal when you come to see me.”
- 2 Samuel 14:24 But the king added, “He may return to his house, but he must not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, but he did not see the face of the king.
- 2 Samuel 14:28 Now Absalom lived in Jerusalem two years without seeing the face of the king.
- 2 Samuel 14:32 “Look,” said Absalom, “I sent for you and said, ‘Come here. I want to send you to the king to ask: Why have I come back from Geshur? It would be better for me if I were still there.’ So now, let me see the king’s face, and if there is iniquity in me, let him kill me.”
- Acts 7:34 I have indeed seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
- Acts 20:25 Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again.