Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 44בראשית 44

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Joseph's hidden testing now reaches its sharpest and most revelatory form. What began as grain administration and concealed recognition becomes a deliberately staged crisis centered on Benjamin, the very brother whose loss Jacob cannot survive and whose safety Judah has personally pledged. Joseph orders abundance, returned silver, and the planting of his cup so that the brothers may be measured under pressure where they once failed under pressure against Joseph himself. This movement therefore binds accusation, search, exposure, servitude, remembered guilt, paternal vulnerability, and substituted self-offering into one sustained dramatic movement. Its center lies not in the discovery of the cup alone, but in Judah's speech after the discovery. There the brothers' relation to the father, to Benjamin, and to their own past is laid bare. By the end Judah offers himself in the place of the boy, and the household that once sold a brother now stands at the threshold of becoming a house willing to lose itself rather than abandon one.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. Concealed testing reaches its crisis here, with Benjamin placed under threat so that the brothers may be measured where they once failed Joseph and their father alike. Verses 1-2 are carefully arranged: the brothers are again sent away with filled bags and returned silver, but now Joseph's גביע הכסף is planted in Benjamin's bag, making the test fall exactly on the Rachel-son whom Jacob most fears to lose. Verse 5 is a notable crux because of the cup's association with divination language: נחש ינחש בו should be translated in a way that preserves the rhetoric of Egyptian court practice inside the narrative world, without deciding too quickly whether Joseph is claiming actual divinatory use, speaking through his steward in role, or intensifying the charge dramatically. Verse 7's brothers' protest is morally important because they appeal to their earlier honesty about the returned money; the same event that frightened them in Genesis 43 now becomes part of their defense. Verses 10-13 are shaped to tighten the crisis. The steward's sentence is milder than the brothers' self-imprecation, but the search proceeds from the oldest to the youngest so that suspense culminates precisely in Benjamin. Verse 13's tearing of garments should retain its force as corporate grief rather than merely formal alarm. Verse 16 is one of the great interpretive lines of the chapter: Judah declares that God has found out the iniquity of the servants. The statement should not be reduced to a confession of literal cup-theft only, since the narrative invites the reader to hear an older guilt surfacing under present judgment. Verse 17 is equally important because Joseph refuses collective enslavement and isolates Benjamin as the one who must remain; the test therefore becomes whether the brothers will abandon the favored younger brother as they once abandoned Joseph. Verses 18-34 form Judah's great plea and should be preserved as sustained persuasive speech rather than fragmented paraphrase. Verse 18's comparison 'for you are like Pharaoh' gives the speech its courtly gravity. Verses 19-29 carefully retell the earlier encounters from the father's perspective, repeatedly stressing the bond between Jacob and the boy. Verse 30's נפשו קשורה בנפשו is one of the emotional hinges of the Joseph cycle and should retain the language of life bound up with life rather than being flattened into generic affection. Verse 32 is also decisive because Judah explicitly invokes his surety formula from Genesis 43 and thereby binds this plea to his earlier pledge. Verses 33-34 then bring the narrative to its moral summit: Judah offers himself as slave in Benjamin's place and refuses to return to the father without the boy. The narrative therefore completes the internal reversal the test was meant to expose. Where once Judah proposed the sale of a brother, he now offers himself so that a brother may go free and the father not be destroyed by grief. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיְצַ֞ו אֶת אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל בֵּיתוֹ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ מַלֵּ֞א אֶת אַמְתְּחֹ֤ת הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ אֹ֔כֶל כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר יוּכְל֖וּן שְׂאֵ֑ת וְשִׂ֥ים כֶּֽסֶף אִ֖ישׁ בְּפִ֥י אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ

Then he commanded the one who was over his house, saying, 'Fill the men's bags with food, as much as they are able to carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his bag.'

Joseph initiates the concealed final testוַיְצַו
What looked like settled hospitality in the previous chapter now becomes a deliberate new stage of probation focused on Benjamin.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיְצַ֞וhe commandedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel intensifies the commissioning; Joseph gives explicit orders to his steward.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthe one whorel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Head of substantival relative clause (object of command)אֲשֶׁר (H834), general relative pronoun; here substantival: 'the one who was over his house.'
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (predicate of relative clause)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; marks authority or oversight — the steward's administrative charge.
בֵּיתוֹ֮his houseN m sg constr + suff 3ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of preposition (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; עַל בֵּיתוֹ designates the household steward responsible for domestic administration.
לֵאמֹר֒sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Indirect discourse marker (introduces direct speech)→ Infinitive construct: introduces direct speech contentאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר is the standard Hebrew formula for introducing quoted speech.
מַלֵּ֞אfillPiel impv 2ms · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (imperative command)→ Volitional: direct commandמָלֵא (H4390) 'to fill, be full'; Piel is factitive — cause the bags to be full to capacity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אַמְתְּחֹ֤תbags ofN f pl constr · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Direct object (construct head)אַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'sack, bag'; probably a large grain sack; the same bags whose returned silver had alarmed the brothers in ch. 43.
הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙the menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitival modifier (construct chain)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural אֲנָשִׁים; the brothers about to depart for Canaan.
אֹ֔כֶלfoodN m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Direct object (of מַלֵּא)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food, grain'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; the grain purchased during the famine.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רas much asprep כְּ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Extent clause introducer (comparative)כַּאֲשֶׁר (H834 with כְּ) 'as, according to what'; introduces the extent clause limiting the food to carrying capacity.
יוּכְל֖וּןthey are ableQal impf 3mp (energic נ) · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate of extent clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing or potential capacityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; with the following inf marks the upper limit of physical carrying capacity.
שְׂאֵ֑תto carryQal inf constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Complementary infinitive (object of יוּכְלוּן)→ Infinitive construct: expressing capacityנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; the inf gives the content of what they are able to do.
וְשִׂ֥יםand putconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Second imperative (coordinate command)→ Volitional: direct command coordinate with מַלֵּאשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; the steward is to deposit each man's silver in the bag's opening.
כֶּֽסֶףsilver ofN m sg constr · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object (construct head)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the grain payment; its return in the bags had already unsettled the brothers in ch. 43.
אִ֖ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive nominative (each man's silver)אִישׁ (H376) used distributively — 'each man's silver'; the repetition from v. 1a reinforces the scope of the order.
בְּפִ֥יin the mouth ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Locative prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, opening'; here 'mouth of the bag' — the opening at the top of the sack where it will be seen.
אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹhis bagN f sg constr + suff 3ms · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Object of preposition (distributive reference)אַמְתַּחַת (H572); the pronoun suffix refers distributively to each man — every brother gets his silver returned.
2

וְאֶת גְּבִיעִ֞י גְּבִ֣יעַ הַכֶּ֗סֶף תָּשִׂים֙ בְּפִי֙ אַמְתַּ֣חַת הַקָּטֹ֔ן וְאֵ֖ת כֶּ֣סֶף שִׁבְר֑וֹ וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כִּדְבַ֥ר יוֹסֵ֖ף אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽר

'And my cup, the silver cup, you shall put in the mouth of the youngest one's bag, together with the silver for his grain.' And he did according to Joseph's word that he had spoken.

The test is sharpened by placing the cup in Benjamin's sackוְאֶת
The planted cup transforms earlier returned money into a targeted accusation that can expose the brothers' true response to the youngest son.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted second object)Fronted accusative continuing the steward's orders; וְ coordinates with the previous command about silver.
גְּבִיעִ֞יmy cupN m sg constr + suff 1cs · גָּבִיעַ (H1375)Direct object (fronted, resumed by apposition)גָּבִיעַ (H1375) 'cup, goblet'; a ceremonial drinking vessel; its designation as Joseph's own makes its planting a calculated test of the brothers.
גְּבִ֣יעַcup ofN m sg constr · גָּבִיעַ (H1375)Appositive (specifying the cup)גָּבִיעַ (H1375), repeated in apposition for emphasis and specification — 'my cup, the silver cup.'
הַכֶּ֗סֶףthe silverart + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitival modifier (appositional construct)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; the article identifies this as a specific known object — Joseph's silver goblet.
תָּשִׂים֙you shall putQal impf 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (directive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: directive/future — specific instructionשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; the imperfect has directive force: this is the key act of the concealed test.
בְּפִי֙in the mouth ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Locative prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, opening'; the cup is placed right at the top of the sack, easily found in the search.
אַמְתַּ֣חַתbag ofN f sg constr · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Object of preposition (construct head)אַמְתַּחַת (H572); Benjamin's bag is specifically targeted — the test is designed to fall on the beloved youngest son.
הַקָּטֹ֔ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Genitival modifier (construct chain)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, youngest'; superlative context — Benjamin, the youngest and most vulnerable brother.
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)Marks the grain silver as the third item to be placed, alongside the cup in Benjamin's bag.
כֶּ֣סֶףsilver ofN m sg constr · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object (construct head)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the payment for Benjamin's grain purchase, placed with the cup.
שִׁבְר֑וֹhis grainN m sg constr + suff 3ms · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Genitival modifier (construct chain)שֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain, grain purchase'; from שָׁבַר 'to buy grain'; Benjamin's grain price is also returned.
וַיַּ֕עַשׂand he didQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, act'; the steward carries out Joseph's orders exactly as given.
כִּדְבַ֥רaccording to the word ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phrase (manner)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, command'; with כְּ 'according to the word of' — precise compliance.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitival modifier (subject of word)יוֹסֵף (H3130), the patriarch Joseph; the steward's master whose concealed identity drives the whole narrative.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) introducing a restrictive relative clause specifying which word of Joseph is meant.
דִּבֵּֽרhe had spokenPiel perf 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed act of speakingדִּבֵּר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel of דָּבַר; the perfect refers back to Joseph's instructions just given in vv. 1–2.
3

הַבֹּ֖קֶר א֑וֹר וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים שֻׁלְּח֔וּ הֵ֖מָּה וַחֲמֹרֵיהֶֽם

The morning grew light, and the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

The men depart under apparent normalcyהַבֹּקֶר
Morning light briefly suggests resolution, but the release only sets the stage for pursuit and exposure.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
הַבֹּ֖קֶרthe morningart + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Subject of verbless clause (temporal setting)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning, dawn'; the release at dawn gives a surface appearance of normal hospitality before the pursuit begins.
א֑וֹרgrew lightQal perf 3ms · אוֹר (H215)Predicate verb (nominal clause)→ Perfective: completed transition — dawn arrivedאוֹר (H215) 'to be light, shine'; הַבֹּקֶר אוֹר is a standard Hebrew idiom meaning 'morning dawned.'
וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֣יםand the menconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (coordinate clause)אִישׁ (H376) plural אֲנָשִׁים; the brothers, dismissed at dawn, unaware of the trap set in their bags.
שֻׁלְּח֔וּwere sent awayPual perf 3cp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (passive)→ Perfective: the dismissal is completeשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, dismiss'; Pual passive — they were released by the household; no suspicion is yet raised.
הֵ֖מָּהtheypers pron 3mp · הֵמָּה (H1992)Resumptive pronoun (appositive to subject)הֵמָּה (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun; resumes and emphasizes the subject — 'they and their donkeys.'
וַחֲמֹרֵיהֶֽםand their donkeysconj וְ + N m pl constr + suff 3mp · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Coordinate subject (appositive to הֵמָּה)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; the pack animals loaded with grain sacks, one of which contains the planted cup.
4

הֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת הָעִיר֮ לֹ֣א הִרְחִיקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה

They had gone out of the city; they had not gone far, when Joseph said to the one who was over his house, 'Rise, pursue after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you repaid evil in place of good? '

Joseph reverses the departure by sending pursuitהֵם
The brothers are intercepted before distance can become safety, and the narrative turns from journey to accusation.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
הֵ֠םtheypers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject (resumed topic)הֵם (H1992) 3mp independent pronoun; the brothers, resuming their journey, contrasted with Joseph's immediate counter-action.
יָֽצְא֣וּhad gone outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (anterior clause)→ Perfective: completed prior actionיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, depart'; the perfect here has pluperfect force — they had already exited before Joseph acted.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking city as traversed)אֵת (H853) used with motion verbs to mark the space passed through — 'gone out of the city.'
הָעִיר֮the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object (spatial extent)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; the Egyptian city — presumably Egypt's capital where Joseph administered grain.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of following verb)לֹא (H3808) strong negation; they had not yet put real distance between themselves and the city.
הִרְחִיקוּ֒had gone farHiphil perf 3cp · רָחַק (H7368)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: completed state — distance not yet achievedרָחַק (H7368) 'to be far, keep distance'; Hiphil causative 'to put distance'; the brothers are caught before safety.
וְיוֹסֵ֤ףand Josephconj וְ + proper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject (coordinate clause, antithetic)יוֹסֵף (H3130); named to stress that the master himself initiates the pursuit immediately after their departure.
אָמַר֙saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed decisive actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the simultaneous speech and departure creates the narrative tension.
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣רto the one whoprep לְ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Indirect object (head of substantival relative)אֲשֶׁר (H834) with לְ — 'to the one who'; the same household steward addressed in vv. 1–2.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (predicate of relative clause)עַל (H5921) 'over'; identifies the steward's office as described in v. 1.
בֵּית֔וֹhis houseN m sg constr + suff 3ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of preposition (genitival)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the same steward commissioned in v. 1.
ק֥וּםriseQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative — preparatory)→ Volitional: preparatory commandקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, get up'; a common Hebrew preparatory imperative — 'get up and go.'
רְדֹ֖ףpursueQal impv 2ms · רָדַף (H7291)Second imperative (main command)→ Volitional: urgent commandרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; the steward is sent as agent of the test's next phase.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Directional prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with רָדַף marks the direction of pursuit.
הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of prepositionאִישׁ (H376) plural; the departing brothers are the target of the pursuit.
וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙and when you overtake themHiphil weqatal 2ms + suff 3mp · נָשַׂג (H5381)Sequential weqatal (temporal condition)→ Weqatal: sequential future actionנָשַׂג (H5381) 'to overtake, reach'; Hiphil of נָשַׂג; the steward must catch them before they escape into the distance.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣and sayQal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Sequential weqatal (speech command)→ Weqatal: foregrounded sequential instructionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; on overtaking them the steward is to deliver the prepared accusation verbatim.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + suff 3mp · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the audience of the steward's accusation — the brothers collectively.
לָ֛מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (rhetorical accusation)לָמָּה (H4100 with לְ) 'why?'; rhetorical question that functions as an accusation rather than a genuine inquiry.
שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥םhave you repaidPiel perf 2mp · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Perfective: a completed act of moral failureשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to repay, recompense, complete'; Piel intensive — to pay back in full; here with evil instead of good.
רָעָ֖הevilN f sg abs · רָעָה (H7451)Direct object (of שִׁלַּמְתֶּם)רָעָה (H7451) 'evil, harm, misfortune'; the abstract noun used for the moral character of the act of theft.
תַּ֥חַתin place ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase (substitution/exchange)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of, in exchange for'; marks the ironic substitution of evil for good.
טוֹבָֽהgoodadj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Object of preposition (substituted term)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, goodness'; here used substantively — the good shown to the brothers through Joseph's generous hospitality.
5

הֲל֣וֹא זֶ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁתֶּ֤ה אֲדֹנִי֙ בּ֔וֹ וְה֕וּא נַחֵ֥שׁ יְנַחֵ֖שׁ בּ֑וֹ הֲרֵעֹתֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲשִׂיתֶֽם

'Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and by which indeed he practices divination? You have done evil in what you have done.'

The accusation centers on the ruler's cupהֲלֹא
The charge gives the planted object symbolic weight and frames the alleged offense as ingratitude and sacrilege against Joseph's household authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
הֲל֣וֹאis it notinterrog הֲ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical interrogative (expecting affirmative answer)הֲלֹא (H3808 with הֲ) 'is it not?'; expects a 'yes' answer — a rhetorical device reinforcing the charge.
זֶ֗הthisdem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of rhetorical questionזֶה (H2088) 'this'; refers to the cup — 'is not this the one from which my lord drinks?'
אֲשֶׁ֨רfrom whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (antecedent = זֶה)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause specifying the cup's use.
יִשְׁתֶּ֤הdrinksQal impf 3ms · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate of relative clause (habitual action)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — habitual or ongoing actionשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; the cup is Joseph's regular drinking vessel, elevating the theft charge.
אֲדֹנִי֙my lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Subject of relative clauseאָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the steward speaks of Joseph in third person to the brothers — 'my lord drinks from it.'
בּ֔וֹfrom itprep בְּ + suff 3ms · בְּPrepositional phrase (instrument/source)Prep בְּ + 3ms suffix; refers back to the cup — 'drinks from it.'
וְה֕וּאand heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (coordinate clause — emphasis)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; emphatic subject — stresses that Joseph personally divines with this cup.
נַחֵ֥שׁsurely divinesQal inf abs · נָחַשׁ (H5172)Infinitive absolute (intensification of following verb)→ Infinitive absolute: intensifies certainty of actionנָחַשׁ (H5172) 'to practice divination, observe omens'; inf abs before the finite verb indicates certainty or emphasis.
יְנַחֵ֖שׁhe practices divinationPiel impf 3ms · נָחַשׁ (H5172)Predicate verb (with inf abs intensifier)→ Yiqtol imperfective: habitual practiceנָחַשׁ (H5172), Piel; 'to divine, practice divination'; whether Joseph actually divined or the steward speaks rhetorically to magnify the offense is a narrative crux.
בּ֑וֹwith itprep בְּ + suff 3ms · בְּPrepositional phrase (instrument of divination)Prep בְּ + 3ms suffix; the cup is the instrument of Joseph's supposed divination — cup-reading (lecanomancy).
הֲרֵעֹתֶ֖םyou have done evilHiphil perf 2mp · רָעַע (H7489)Predicate verb (declarative accusation)→ Perfective: a completed moral failureרָעַע (H7489) 'to be evil, do evil'; Hiphil causative — 'you have brought about evil'; the steward closes his speech with a moral verdict.
אֲשֶׁ֥רin whatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (cognate object)אֲשֶׁר (H834); here introduces a relative clause functioning as the object — 'evil in what you have done.'
עֲשִׂיתֶֽםyou have doneQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed action (evidence)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the act of theft is already complete in the accusation's logic.
6

וַֽיַּשִּׂגֵ֑ם וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה

And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these words.

The steward formally delivers Joseph's accusationוַיַּשִּׂגֵם
The pursued brothers must now answer in the presence of the exact words prepared for their testing.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַֽיַּשִּׂגֵ֑םand he overtook themHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + suff 3mp · נָשַׂג (H5381)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשַׂג (H5381) 'to overtake, reach'; Hiphil; the steward catches the brothers exactly as instructed.
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדִּבֵּר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel of דָּבַר; the steward formally delivers Joseph's prepared accusation.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + suff 3mp · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the brothers are the audience of the formal accusation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks the following words as the definite direct object of the speech.
הַדְּבָרִ֖יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct objectדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; the specific words Joseph had prepared for the confrontation.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + dem pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative modifier (of הַדְּבָרִים)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points back to the specific words Joseph dictated in vv. 4–5.
7

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵלָ֔יו לָ֚מָּה יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲדֹנִ֔י כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה חָלִ֨ילָה֙ לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה

And they said to him, 'Why does my lord speak words like these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing.'

The brothers deny the accusation with shockוַיֹּאמְרוּ
Their answer treats the charge as morally unthinkable and signals confidence in their innocence.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers respond immediately and with apparent indignation.
אֵלָ֔יוto himprep אֶל + suff 3ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; to the steward who brought the accusation.
לָ֚מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (rhetorical protest)לָמָּה (H4100 with לְ) 'why?'; the brothers turn the rhetorical question back — why would my lord say such a thing?
יְדַבֵּ֣רdoes speakPiel impf 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing/current actionדִּבֵּר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel; the brothers protest the act of speaking such words as morally incongruous.
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Subject of rhetorical questionאָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the brothers use the deferential title even in their protest.
כַּדְּבָרִ֖יםlike wordsprep כְּ + art + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phraseדָּבָר (H1697) 'words, things'; with כְּ 'like these words' — treating the accusation as categorically wrong.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + dem pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Demonstrative modifierאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the specific words just spoken by the steward.
חָלִ֨ילָה֙far be itinterjection · חָלִילָה (H2486)Exclamatory protest (imprecation formula)חָלִילָה (H2486) 'far be it!, God forbid!'; a strong oath formula derived from חָלַל 'to profane'; expresses moral horror at the charge.
לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָto your servantsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Dative (beneficiary of חָלִילָה)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; the brothers use the self-designation of subordination throughout these exchanges.
מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹתfrom doingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary prepositional infinitive (object of חָלִילָה)→ Infinitive construct: marks the action considered impossibleעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; מֵעֲשׂוֹת 'from doing' — the act is presented as categorically unthinkable for them.
כַּדָּבָ֥רlike the thingprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phraseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; 'such a thing' — refers to the alleged theft of the cup.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifierזֶה (H2088) 'this'; reinforces the pointing back to the alleged act of theft as morally inconceivable to them.
8

הֵ֣ן כֶּ֗סֶף אֲשֶׁ֤ר מָצָ֨אנוּ֙ בְּפִ֣י אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ הֱשִׁיבֹ֥נוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְאֵ֗יךְ נִגְנֹב֙ מִבֵּ֣ית אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כֶּ֖סֶף א֥וֹ זָהָֽב

'Behold, the silver that we found in the mouth of our bags we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal from your lord's house silver or gold? '

They appeal to their earlier honesty about the returned silverהֵן
The same money that once terrified them is now turned into evidence that they are not thieves.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
הֵ֣ןbeholdpresentative particle · הֵן (H2005)Presentative particle (introducing evidence)הֵן (H2005) 'behold, look'; introduces the evidence the brothers offer in their defense.
כֶּ֗סֶףthe silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of defense clauseכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the returned grain payment that demonstrated their honesty on the previous trip.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834) introducing a relative clause identifying which silver is meant.
מָצָ֨אנוּ֙we foundQal perf 1cp · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed discoveryמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, encounter'; the discovery of the returned silver in their sacks had terrified them (Gen 43:21).
בְּפִ֣יin the mouth ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Locative prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, opening'; the top of their bags — they had found the silver there during the first journey back.
אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּour bagsN f pl constr + suff 1cp · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Object of preposition (genitival)אַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'bag, sack'; the same kind of bags now containing the planted cup.
הֱשִׁיבֹ֥נוּwe brought backHiphil perf 1cp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, defense argument)→ Perfective: completed act of honestyשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Hiphil causative 'to bring back'; their voluntary return of the silver is the basis of their moral defense.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + suff 2ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (beneficiary)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directed to the steward, representing Joseph's household.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Ablative prepositional phrase (source)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, country'; with מִן marks the point of departure — from Canaan they voluntarily returned the money.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitival modifier (place name)כְּנַעַן (H3667), Canaan; the home territory of the brothers, emphasizing the long distance over which they returned the money.
וְאֵ֗יךְand howconj וְ + interrog adv · אֵיךְ (H349)Interrogative (rhetorical impossibility)אֵיךְ (H349) 'how?'; introduces a rhetorical question arguing that theft is logically impossible given their past behavior.
נִגְנֹב֙would we stealQal impf 1cp · גָּנַב (H1589)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — potential/hypothetical actionגָּנַב (H1589) 'to steal, thieve'; the very crime charged; the brothers argue the charge is morally inconsistent with their prior conduct.
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Ablative prepositional phrase (source)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; 'from your lord's house' — emphasizes the audacity the charge implies.
אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָyour lordN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אָדֹן (H113)Genitival modifier (construct chain)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; plural of respect — your lord; they address the steward while referring to Joseph.
כֶּ֖סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object (of נִגְנֹב)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; the first of the two precious metals named to widen the hypothetical charge.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; presents the alternative precious metal, exhausting the plausible objects of such theft.
זָהָֽבgoldN m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Direct object (second, disjunctive)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; silver and gold together represent all valuable metals — the brothers deny any conceivable form of precious metal theft.
9

אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֥א אִתּ֛וֹ מֵעֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וָמֵ֑ת וְגַם אֲנַ֕חְנוּ נִֽהְיֶ֥ה לַֽאדֹנִ֖י לַעֲבָדִֽים

'With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die; and we also will become slaves to my lord.'

They rashly place themselves under a severe self-imprecationאֲשֶׁר
Their confidence outruns prudence, and the proposed sentence heightens the tension of the coming search.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֲשֶׁ֨רthe one with whomrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Head of conditional relative clause (protasis)אֲשֶׁר (H834) here as the head of a conditional relative — 'whichever of your servants it is found with.'
יִמָּצֵ֥אit is foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of conditional relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/conditional — hypothetical futureמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive — 'it is found'; the brothers set up their own hypothetical for the steward.
אִתּ֛וֹwith himprep אֵת + suff 3ms · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; marks the brother on whose person the item is found.
מֵעֲבָדֶ֖יךָfrom your servantsprep מִן + N m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Partitive prepositional phraseעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; partitive — 'whichever one from among your servants.'
וָמֵ֑תlet him dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Sequential weqatal (apodosis — verdict on the guilty)→ Weqatal: jussive force — sentence pronouncedמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the brothers' proposed sentence is death for the thief — far harsher than the steward's offer in v. 10.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + additive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive connective (extending the self-imprecation)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; extends the self-imposed penalty beyond the thief to the whole group.
אֲנַ֕חְנוּwepers pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject (emphatic, coordinate self-imprecation)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 1cp independent pronoun; emphatic — the brothers include themselves in collective punishment.
נִֽהְיֶ֥הwill becomeQal impf 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis — collective sentence)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — self-imposed fateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the brothers offer collective enslavement, a sentence harsher than anything the steward proposed.
לַֽאדֹנִ֖יto my lordprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Predicate complement (becoming slaves to)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the brothers propose becoming Joseph's slaves — the irony is profound given Joseph's actual history.
לַעֲבָדִֽיםas slavesprep לְ + N m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement (role/status)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; their overconfident self-condemnation — the very status they had once imposed on Joseph through sale.
10

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר גַּם עַתָּ֥ה כְדִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם כֶּן ה֑וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִמָּצֵ֤א אִתּוֹ֙ יִהְיֶה לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּהְי֥וּ נְקִיִּֽם

And he said, 'Now then, let it be according to your words: the one with whom it is found shall become my slave, and you shall be innocent.'

The steward narrows the sentence to the guilty individualוַיֹּאמֶר
His response is milder than their oath, but precisely for that reason it isolates the test on the one who will be found.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the steward responds, modifying the sentence the brothers proposed.
גַּםalsoadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (concessive — 'now then')גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, now then'; in combination with עַתָּה signals acknowledgment of their words before modifying the terms.
עַתָּ֥הnowadv · עַתָּה (H6258)Temporal adverb (transitional)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the shift from the brothers' proposal to the steward's counter-sentence.
כְדִבְרֵיכֶ֖םaccording to your wordsprep כְּ + N m pl constr + suff 2mp · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative prepositional phrase (manner)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, words'; the steward invokes their own statement as the basis for judgment.
כֶּןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Correlative adverb (so it shall be)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; completes the formula 'according to your words, so it is' — invoking their self-condemnation.
ה֑וּאit ispers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Predicate pronoun (copulative)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun used as copula; 'so it shall be.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רthe one with whomrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Head of relative clause (subject of apodosis)אֲשֶׁר (H834) introduces the relative clause identifying the guilty party — 'the one with whom it is found.'
יִמָּצֵ֤אit is foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of relative clause→ Yiqtol: modal/conditionalמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive; echoes the brothers' own hypothetical in v. 9.
אִתּוֹ֙with himprep אֵת + suff 3ms · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; marks the individual in whose possession the cup will be found.
יִהְיֶהshall becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis — sentence)→ Yiqtol: future/judicial — sentence declaredהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the steward's sentence is milder than theirs: only the guilty one becomes a slave, not death.
לִּ֣יto meprep לְ + suff 1cs · לְDative (beneficiary — enslavement to)Prep לְ + 1cs suffix; the guilty one becomes the steward's (Joseph's) slave — a decisive narrowing.
עָ֔בֶדslaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement (status/role)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; the steward reduces the brothers' proposed collective enslavement to a single individual.
וְאַתֶּ֖םand youconj וְ + pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (contrastive clause)אַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; emphatic contrast — you (the rest) will be free.
תִּהְי֥וּyou will beQal impf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (contrastive apodosis)→ Yiqtol: future — release declaredהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the rest are declared innocent and free — this is what makes the test so pointed.
נְקִיִּֽםinnocentadj m pl abs · נָקִי (H5355)Predicate adjectiveנָקִי (H5355) 'innocent, free from guilt'; the steward declares the other brothers clean — only the one with the cup is implicated.
11

וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּ וַיּוֹרִ֛דוּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת אַמְתַּחְתּ֖וֹ אָ֑רְצָה וַֽיִּפְתְּח֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ

Then they hurried, and each man lowered his bag to the ground, and each man opened his bag.

The search begins with urgent complianceוַיְמַהֲרוּ
The brothers cooperate immediately, which intensifies the pathos of the discovery that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַֽיְמַהֲר֗וּand they hurriedPiel wayyiqtol 3mp · מָהַר (H4116)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָהַר (H4116) 'to hurry, hasten'; Piel intensive; their eagerness to comply expresses confidence in their innocence.
וַיּוֹרִ֛דוּand they loweredHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; Hiphil causative 'to lower, bring down'; they remove the sacks from the donkeys.
אִ֥ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) used distributively — each brother acts on his own bag simultaneously.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks the bag as the definite direct object of the lowering.
אַמְתַּחְתּ֖וֹhis bagN f sg constr + suff 3ms · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Direct object (distributive reference)אַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'sack, bag'; each man's own bag, containing food — and in one case the planted cup.
אָ֑רְצָהto the groundN f sg abs + dir ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with directional ה suffix — down to the ground for the inspection.
וַֽיִּפְתְּח֖וּand they openedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּתַח (H6605)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; each man opens his own bag for the search, still confident nothing will be found.
אִ֥ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subject (repeated for emphasis)אִישׁ (H376) distributive repetition; each brother independently opens his own bag — the suspense mounts.
אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹhis bagN f sg constr + suff 3ms · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Direct object (distributive)אַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'sack, bag'; the repeated phrase seals the scene — each bag opened, waiting for the steward's search.
12

וַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂ בַּגָּד֣וֹל הֵחֵ֔ל וּבַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּלָּ֑ה וַיִּמָּצֵא֙ הַגָּבִ֔יעַ בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַת בִּנְיָמִֽן

And he searched, beginning with the oldest and finishing with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin's bag.

The ordered search culminates in Benjaminוַיְחַפֵּשׂ
Beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest turns the discovery into a staged revelation rather than a random inspection.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיְחַפֵּ֕שׂand he searchedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · חָפַשׂ (H2664)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָפַשׂ (H2664) 'to search, examine'; Piel intensive — a thorough search, bag by bag in deliberate order.
בַּגָּד֣וֹלwith the oldestprep בְּ + art + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Prepositional phrase (starting point of search)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, oldest'; the search begins with the eldest brother — Reuben — and proceeds in birth order.
הֵחֵ֔לhe beganHiphil perf 3ms · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb (parenthetical — manner of search)→ Perfective: completed commencementחָלַל (H2490) 'to begin, commence'; Hiphil — 'he began'; the ordered beginning intensifies narrative suspense.
וּבַקָּטֹ֖ןand with the youngestconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Prepositional phrase (endpoint of search)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, youngest'; the search ends with Benjamin — the youngest, who holds the planted cup.
כִּלָּ֑הhe finishedPiel perf 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (parenthetical — completion of search)→ Perfective: completed actionכָּלָה (H3615) 'to finish, complete, end'; Piel; with הֵחֵל forms a merism — from beginning to end of the ordered search.
וַיִּמָּצֵא֙and it was foundNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (climax)→ Wayyiqtol: climactic discoveryמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive — the cup 'was found'; the passive focuses on the discovered fact rather than who planted it.
הַגָּבִ֔יעַthe cupart + N m sg abs · גָּבִיעַ (H1375)Subject of passive verbגָּבִיעַ (H1375) 'cup, goblet'; the climactic object — found exactly where Joseph had it placed.
בְּאַמְתַּ֖חַתin the bag ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Locative prepositional phraseאַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'bag, sack'; the cup is found in Benjamin's bag — the climax of the staged discovery.
בִּנְיָמִֽןBenjaminproper noun · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Genitival modifier (owner of bag)בִּנְיָמִין (H1144), Benjamin; the younger son of Rachel, the test target — the beloved youngest brother.
13

וַֽיִּקְרְע֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲמֹס֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הָעִֽירָה

Then they tore their garments, and each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

Corporate grief replaces confident innocenceוַיִּקְרְעוּ
The brothers do not abandon Benjamin at once; instead, they return together under the sign of mourning.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַֽיִּקְרְע֖וּand they toreQal wayyiqtol 3mp · קָרַע (H7167)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַע (H7167) 'to tear, rend'; tearing garments is the standard Hebrew gesture of extreme grief or horror — they do not abandon Benjamin.
שִׂמְלֹתָ֑םtheir garmentsN f pl constr + suff 3mp · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct objectשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; tearing one's garments signals corporate grief; the act here marks solidarity, not abandonment.
וַֽיַּעֲמֹס֙and each loadedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָמַס (H6006)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָמַס (H6006) 'to load, burden'; each man reloads his donkey — they prepare to return together rather than flee.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) distributive — each of the brothers reloads his own donkey in preparation for return.
עַלontoprep · עַל (H5921)Directional prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, onto'; marks the surface onto which the load is placed — onto the donkey's back.
חֲמֹר֔וֹhis donkeyN m sg constr + suff 3ms · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Object of preposition (distributive)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; each man reloads his animal — they turn around rather than continuing homeward.
וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּand they returnedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, go back'; the collective return to the city signals that the brothers do not abandon Benjamin.
הָעִֽירָהto the cityart + N f sg abs + dir ה · עִיר (H5892)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; with directional ה suffix — they return to the very city and household from which they had just been dismissed.
14

וַיָּבֹ֨א יְהוּדָ֤ה וְאֶחָיו֙ בֵּ֣יתָה יוֹסֵ֔ף וְה֖וּא עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ שָׁ֑ם וַיִּפְּל֥וּ לְפָנָ֖יו אָֽרְצָה

And Judah came, with his brothers, into Joseph's house, and he was still there, and they fell before him to the ground.

Judah and his brothers return to Joseph's house and bow againוַיָּבֹא
The dreamlike pattern of falling before Joseph continues, but now under the shadow of Benjamin's exposure.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אand he cameQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Judah is named as the one who leads the return — signaling his emerging role as spokesman.
יְהוּדָ֤הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063), Judah; he had given the surety for Benjamin (Gen 43:9) and now leads the company back to face Joseph.
וְאֶחָיו֙and his brothersconj וְ + N m pl constr + suff 3ms · אָח (H251)Coordinate subjectאָח (H251) 'brother'; all the brothers return together — there is no abandonment of Benjamin at this point.
בֵּ֣יתָהto the house ofN m sg constr + dir ה · בַּיִת (H1004)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; with dir ה — 'into Joseph's house'; the place of the test and confrontation.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitival modifier (owner of house)יוֹסֵף (H3130); they re-enter the household of the very man who orchestrated their crisis.
וְה֖וּאand heconj וְ + pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (circumstantial clause)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; marks a circumstantial parenthesis — Joseph was still there.
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּstill thereadv + suff 3ms · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial predicate (circumstantial)עוֹד (H5750) 'yet, still'; with 3ms suffix — 'while he was still there'; Joseph had not departed and awaited the outcome.
שָׁ֑םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; reinforces the circumstantial setting — Joseph is present and waiting.
וַיִּפְּל֥וּand they fellQal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the brothers prostrate themselves before Joseph — fulfilling again the dreams of Joseph.
לְפָנָ֖יוbefore himprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of'; the prostration before Joseph echoes Gen 37:7–9.
אָֽרְצָהto the groundN f sg abs + dir ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; with dir ה — they bow down to the ground before Joseph.
15

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ יוֹסֵ֔ף מָֽה הַמַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲשִׂיתֶ֑ם הֲל֣וֹא יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם כִּֽי נַחֵ֧שׁ יְנַחֵ֛שׁ אִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּמֹֽנִי

And Joseph said to them, 'What deed is this that you have done? Did you not know that a man like me surely practices divination? '

Joseph confronts them and deepens the aura of the chargeוַיֹּאמֶר
The rhetoric of divination and superior knowledge sustains Joseph's concealed authority over the scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph now personally speaks — the first time since the steward delivered his charge.
לָהֶם֙to themprep לְ + suff 3mp · לְIndirect objectPrep לְ + 3mp suffix; Joseph addresses the prostrated brothers directly.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephproper noun · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject (delayed — named for clarity)יוֹסֵף (H3130); the narrator names him explicitly to mark that the test's mastermind now confronts the brothers face to face.
מָֽהwhatinterrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (subject of rhetorical question)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; the rhetorical question challenges the brothers to account for the alleged deed.
הַמַּעֲשֶׂ֥הthe deedart + N m sg abs · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Subject of rhetorical question (noun clause)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'deed, work, act'; from עָשָׂה; the noun focuses the moral weight — 'what is this deed?'
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + dem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifierזֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to the alleged act of theft — contemptuous and accusatory.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause attributing the deed to the brothers.
עֲשִׂיתֶ֑םyou have doneQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed action (accusation)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the perfect treats the deed as an established fact in the accusation.
הֲל֣וֹאdid you notinterrog הֲ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical interrogative (expecting affirmative)הֲלֹא (H3808 with הֲ) 'did you not know?'; expects 'yes' — they should have known Joseph's superior knowledge.
יְדַעְתֶּ֔םyou knewQal perf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Perfective: completed knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Joseph rhetorically claims they should have known a man like him would discover the theft.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunction (introducing object clause)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; introduces the content of what they should have known.
נַחֵ֧שׁsurely divinesQal inf abs · נָחַשׁ (H5172)Infinitive absolute (intensification)→ Infinitive absolute: emphasizes certaintyנָחַשׁ (H5172) 'to divine, practice divination'; inf abs intensifying the following finite verb — 'surely and certainly divines.'
יְנַחֵ֛שׁhe divinesPiel impf 3ms · נָחַשׁ (H5172)Predicate verb (with inf abs)→ Yiqtol: habitual/characterizing — this is what he doesנָחַשׁ (H5172) Piel; Joseph claims divinatory ability — or more likely uses the Egyptian idiom of divination to heighten the charge.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of relative clause (indefinite)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, a man such as'; used here with the following relative — 'a man such as I.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רsuch asrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (characterizing)אֲשֶׁר (H834) with אִישׁ — 'a man who/such as'; introduces the characterizing clause about Joseph.
כָּמֹֽנִיlike meprep כְּ + suff 1cs · כְּ (H3644)Predicate complement (comparison)כְּ (H3644) 'like, as'; with 1cs suffix — 'like me'; Joseph claims unique status that makes concealment futile.
16

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה מַה נֹּאמַר֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י מַה נְּדַבֵּ֖ר וּמַה נִּצְטַדָּ֑ק הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים מָצָא֙ אֶת עֲוֺ֣ן עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ הִנֶּנּ֤וּ עֲבָדִים֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י גַּם אֲנַ֕חְנוּ גַּ֛ם אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָ֥א הַגָּבִ֖יעַ בְּיָדֽוֹ

And Judah said, 'What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? And how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are slaves to my lord, both we and the one in whose hand the cup has been found.'

Judah interprets the crisis as divine exposure of guiltוַיֹּאמֶר
His speech moves beyond the literal accusation and reads the event as the finding out of older iniquity.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah steps forward as the spokesperson — the key moment of his emergence as the moral center of the brothers.
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); Judah, who pledged surety for Benjamin, now answers for the whole group.
מַהwhatinterrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (rhetorical — expressing helplessness)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; three successive מַה questions express rhetorical helplessness and surrender.
נֹּאמַר֙shall we sayQal impf 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — inability to respondאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah confesses they have nothing to say in their defense.
לַֽאדֹנִ֔יto my lordprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Indirect objectאָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the deferential address acknowledges Joseph's authority absolutely.
מַהwhatinterrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (second rhetorical question)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; the repeated interrogative underlines total speechlessness.
נְּדַבֵּ֖רshall we speakPiel impf 1cp · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — no words availableדִּבֵּר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel of דָּבַר; the nuance of deliberate, formal speech — they have no defense to articulate.
וּמַהand whatconj וְ + interrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative (third rhetorical question)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; the third in the series — 'how shall we clear ourselves?'
נִּצְטַדָּ֑קshall we justify ourselvesHitpael impf 1cp · צָדַק (H6663)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — self-justification impossibleצָדַק (H6663) 'to be righteous'; Hitpael reflexive — 'to clear oneself, demonstrate one's own righteousness'; Judah confesses the impossibility of self-justification.
הָאֱלֹהִ֗יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject (new declarative clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; Judah shifts the frame from the steward's charge to divine judgment — God has exposed what they did.
מָצָא֙has found outQal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (main declarative clause)→ Perfective: completed decisive actמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, discover'; the verb echoes the cup's discovery but now refers to God's exposing of deeper guilt — the sale of Joseph.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks the iniquity as the definite direct object of God's discovery.
עֲוֺ֣ןthe iniquity ofN m sg constr · עָוֹן (H5771)Direct object (construct head)עָוֹן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt, punishment'; broader than cup-theft — Judah's statement opens to include the older crime against Joseph.
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitival modifier (possessor of iniquity)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; 'the iniquity of your servants' — the brothers acknowledge collective guilt before Joseph.
הִנֶּנּ֤וּhere we arepresentative הִנֵּה + suff 1cp · הִנֵּה (H2005)Presentative clause (surrender)הִנֵּה (H2005) 'behold'; with 1cp suffix — 'here we are'; a formula of presence and surrender.
עֲבָדִים֙slavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement (status offered)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; Judah offers collective enslavement — the same status the brothers had rashly proposed in v. 9.
לַֽאדֹנִ֔יto my lordprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Dative (enslavement to)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the surrender is absolute and addressed directly to Joseph.
גַּםbothadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (first of pair)גַּם (H1571) 'also, both'; the first גַּם of a גַּם...גַּם structure — 'both we and the one...'
אֲנַ֕חְנוּwepers pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject (first of pair — collective)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 1cp independent pronoun; the brothers collectively offer themselves.
גַּ֛םand alsoadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (second of pair)גַּם (H1571) 'also'; second of the גַּם...גַּם structure extending the offer to include the one with the cup.
אֲשֶׁרthe one in whoserel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Head of relative clause (second subject)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause identifying Benjamin as the one with the cup.
נִמְצָ֥אwas foundNiphal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed discoveryמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive — 'was found'; the cup-discovery is the formal basis of the surrender.
הַגָּבִ֖יעַthe cupart + N m sg abs · גָּבִיעַ (H1375)Subject of passive verbגָּבִיעַ (H1375) 'cup, goblet'; the planted cup now becomes the instrument through which the old guilt is acknowledged.
בְּיָדֽוֹin his handprep בְּ + N f sg constr + suff 3ms · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; 'in his hand' — in his possession; the phrase identifies Benjamin as the guilty party by possession.
17

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר חָלִ֣ילָה לִּ֔י מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹת זֹ֑את הָאִ֡ישׁ אֲשֶׁר֩ נִמְצָ֨א הַגָּבִ֜יעַ בְּיָד֗וֹ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶה לִּ֣י עָ֔בֶד וְאַתֶּ֕ם עֲל֥וּ לְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל אֲבִיכֶֽם

But he said, 'Far be it from me to do so. The man in whose hand the cup has been found, he shall become my slave; but you, go up in peace to your father.'

Joseph isolates Benjamin and dismisses the others in peaceוַיֹּאמֶר
This is the decisive narrowing of the test: the brothers may save themselves only by abandoning the beloved younger son.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרbut he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance with contrastive forceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Joseph refuses Judah's collective surrender and narrows the sentence precisely.
חָלִ֣ילָהfar be itinterjection · חָלִילָה (H2486)Exclamatory protestחָלִילָה (H2486) 'far be it!, God forbid!'; Joseph echoes the brothers' own protest from v. 7 — this formula now serves to release the innocent.
לִּ֔יfrom meprep לְ + suff 1cs · לְDative (subject of חָלִילָה)Prep לְ + 1cs suffix — 'far be it from me'; Joseph refuses to enslave all the brothers.
מֵעֲשׂ֖וֹתto doprep מִן + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary prepositional infinitive→ Infinitive construct: action declared impossibleעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; 'far be it from me to do so' — collective punishment is rejected.
זֹ֑אתthisdem pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Direct object (referent = collective enslavement)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; refers to the collective punishment Judah proposed — Joseph refuses it.
הָאִ֡ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (of apodosis)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the definite article marks 'the man' — the one in whose possession the cup was found, i.e., Benjamin.
אֲשֶׁר֩in whoserel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause identifying the man — 'in whose hand the cup was found.'
נִמְצָ֨אwas foundNiphal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: completed discoveryמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; Niphal passive; the judicial fact on which Joseph's sentence rests.
הַגָּבִ֜יעַthe cupart + N m sg abs · גָּבִיעַ (H1375)Subject of passive verbגָּבִיעַ (H1375) 'cup'; the cup's discovery is the formal basis of the sentence, even though Joseph planted it.
בְּיָד֗וֹin his handprep בְּ + N f sg constr + suff 3ms · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand, possession'; 'in his hand' — in Benjamin's possession.
ה֚וּאhepers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic pronoun — apodosis)הוּא (H1931) emphatic independent pronoun; 'he — he alone — shall become my slave.'
יִהְיֶהshall becomeQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis — judicial sentence)→ Yiqtol: future judicial — sentence declaredהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the sentence: Benjamin alone shall be enslaved — the test is now stark.
לִּ֣יto meprep לְ + suff 1cs · לְDative (enslavement to Joseph)Prep לְ + 1cs suffix; Benjamin shall become Joseph's slave — this is the decisive test of whether the brothers will abandon him.
עָ֔בֶדslaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement (status)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; the status to which Benjamin is now judicially assigned by Joseph's decision.
וְאַתֶּ֕םbut youconj וְ + pers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (contrastive clause)אַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; emphatic contrast — the rest may go free.
עֲל֥וּgo upQal impv 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative — dismissal)→ Volitional: direct command (release)עָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the brothers are commanded to return northward (up) to Canaan — offered the easy way out.
לְשָׁל֖וֹםin peaceprep לְ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, well-being, safety'; the offer of peaceful release makes the choice to abandon Benjamin explicit.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; direction of their return.
אֲבִיכֶֽםyour fatherN m sg constr + suff 2mp · אָב (H1)Object of prepositionאָב (H1) 'father'; the destination they may return to freely — but without Benjamin, which is precisely the unthinkable outcome.
18

וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אֵלָ֜יו יְהוּדָ֗ה וַיֹּאמֶר֮ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִי֒ יְדַבֶּר נָ֨א עַבְדְּךָ֤ דָבָר֙ בְּאָזְנֵ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י וְאַל יִ֥חַר אַפְּךָ֖ בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י כָמ֖וֹךָ כְּפַרְעֹֽה

Then Judah drew near to him and said, 'Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh.'

Judah begins his sustained pleaוַיִּגַּשׁ
Drawing near marks a change from collective answer to personal intercession, and the speech begins in courtly restraint.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּגַּ֨שׁand he drew nearQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; the physical drawing near signals Judah's transition from group spokesperson to personal intercessor.
אֵלָ֜יוto himprep אֶל + suff 3ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (direction of approach)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Judah approaches Joseph directly — a daring act in an Egyptian court context.
יְהוּדָ֗הJudahproper noun · יְהוּדָה (H3063)Subjectיְהוּדָה (H3063); the surety-giver, the one who pledged his own person for Benjamin, now steps forward alone.
וַיֹּאמֶר֮and saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; launches Judah's great speech, the longest single address in Genesis.
בִּ֣יpleaseparticle of entreaty · בִּי (H994)Particle of entreaty (courtly petition)בִּי (H994) 'please, I beg'; a particle of urgent entreaty used before superiors — 'O my lord, please.'
אֲדֹנִי֒my lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Vocative (address)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the deferential vocative establishes the speech's courtly register.
יְדַבֶּרlet speakPiel jussive 3ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (jussive petition)→ Volitional: jussive — humble requestדִּבֵּר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel jussive — 'let your servant speak'; the polite third-person self-reference is a mark of courtly humility.
נָ֨אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Softening particle (reinforces the petition)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; added to strengthen the entreaty; common with imperatives and jussives in petitionary speech.
עַבְדְּךָ֤your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of jussive (humble self-reference)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah refers to himself in third person as 'your servant' — the standard form of self-abasement before a ruler.
דָבָר֙a wordN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (of jussive)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; a single word/speech — Judah requests permission for one plea.
בְּאָזְנֵ֣יin the ears ofprep בְּ + N f du constr · אֹזֶן (H241)Locative prepositional phraseאֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; 'in the ears of my lord' — a Hebrew idiom for addressing someone attentively, requesting to be heard.
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Genitival modifier (whose ears)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the repeated address maintains the elevated courtly tone throughout the speech.
וְאַלand let notconj וְ + neg particle · אַל (H408)Negative jussive marker (second petition)אַל (H408) 'do not, let not'; used with jussives for negative requests; Judah asks Joseph not to be angry.
יִ֥חַרburnQal jussive 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate verb (jussive — second petition)→ Volitional: negative jussive — plea for restraintחָרָה (H2734) 'to be angry, burn'; often used with אַף — 'let not your anger burn'; a standard Hebrew idiom for anger as burning heat.
אַפְּךָ֖your angerN m sg constr + suff 2ms · אַף (H639)Subject of יִחַראַף (H639) 'nose, nostril, anger'; the physiological metaphor — anger as the flaring nostrils; 'let not your anger burn against your servant.'
בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָagainst your servantprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Prepositional phrase (direction of anger)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah again refers to himself as 'your servant' — sustained self-abasement throughout the speech.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason Judah dares to speak — Joseph's status equals Pharaoh's.
כָמ֖וֹךָlike youprep כְּ + suff 2ms · כְּ (H3644)Predicate complement (comparison)כְּ (H3644) 'like, as'; with 2ms suffix — 'like you'; comparing Joseph to Pharaoh gives the speech its highest courtly register.
כְּפַרְעֹֽהlike Pharaohprep כְּ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Predicate complement (equation)פַּרְעֹה (H6547), Pharaoh; the comparison grants Joseph maximal authority — to speak to him is to speak before the highest power.
19

אֲדֹנִ֣י שָׁאַ֔ל אֶת עֲבָדָ֖יו לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲיֵשׁ לָכֶ֥ם אָ֖ב אוֹ אָֽח

'My lord asked his servants, saying, Do you have a father or a brother? '

Judah restates Joseph's earlier questioningאֲדֹנִי
The plea reconstructs the whole process to show that the present crisis grew from Joseph's own demands.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֲדֹנִ֣יmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Subject (honorific address marking topic shift)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; Judah begins recounting the history by naming Joseph as the initiating questioner.
שָׁאַ֔לaskedQal perf 3ms · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed inquiryשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, inquire'; Judah traces the present crisis back to Joseph's own initial question — the demands originated with the ruler.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'his servants' as the definite object of Joseph's questioning.
עֲבָדָ֖יוhis servantsN m pl constr + suff 3ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Direct objectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; the brothers collectively, presented as Joseph's subordinates to emphasize his authority and their compliance.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Indirect discourse marker→ Infinitive construct: introduces direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces the exact words of Joseph's original inquiry.
הֲיֵשׁis thereinterrog הֲ + existential · יֵשׁ (H3426)Interrogative existentialיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is, there exists'; with interrogative הֲ — 'do you have?'; the question that launched the brothers' disclosure.
לָכֶ֥םto youprep לְ + suff 2mp · לְDative (possessive)Prep לְ + 2mp suffix — 'to/for you'; Hebrew idiom for possession — 'do you have a father or brother?'
אָ֖בa fatherN m sg abs · אָב (H1)Subject of existential clauseאָב (H1) 'father'; the question about the father draws out the vulnerability that Judah's speech will exploit.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; presents the alternative — father or brother.
אָֽחa brotherN m sg abs · אָח (H251)Subject of existential clause (disjunctive)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the question about a brother is what drew out the information about Benjamin.
20

וַנֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל אֲדֹנִ֔י יֶשׁ לָ֨נוּ֙ אָ֣ב זָקֵ֔ן וְיֶ֥לֶד זְקֻנִ֖ים קָטָ֑ן וְאָחִ֨יו מֵ֜ת וַיִּוָּתֵ֨ר ה֧וּא לְבַדּ֛וֹ לְאִמּ֖וֹ וְאָבִ֥יו אֲהֵבֽוֹ

'And we said to my lord, We have an aged father and a young child of his old age; his brother is dead, and he alone is left to his mother, and his father loves him.'

Benjamin is described through paternal vulnerabilityוַנֹּאמֶר
Judah emphasizes the boy's singular place in the father's affections and the prior death of his brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַנֹּ֨אמֶר֙and we saidQal wayyiqtol 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (recalled speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah recounts their honest answer to Joseph's question.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee of their reply — 'we said to my lord.'
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Indirect objectאָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the address to Joseph in the recalled speech.
יֶשׁthere isexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Predicate (existential — affirmative answer)יֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is, there exists'; the brothers' affirmative answer — yes, we have an aged father.
לָ֨נוּ֙to usprep לְ + suff 1cp · לְDative (possessive)Prep לְ + 1cp suffix — 'we have'; the possession idiom for family relationships.
אָ֣בa fatherN m sg abs · אָב (H1)Subject of existential clauseאָב (H1) 'father'; 'we have an aged father' — the first disclosure that anchors Judah's entire argument about paternal vulnerability.
זָקֵ֔ןoldadj m sg abs · זָקֵן (H2205)Attributive adjective (describing father)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, aged'; the father's age makes him more vulnerable — another blow would be catastrophic.
וְיֶ֥לֶדand a child ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · יֶלֶד (H3206)Coordinate subject (second member)יֶלֶד (H3206) 'child, boy, son'; Benjamin is called a 'child' even though he is grown — emphasizing his tender status in the father's eyes.
זְקֻנִ֖יםof old ageN m pl abs · זְקֻנִים (H2208)Genitival modifier (construct chain)זְקֻנִים (H2208) 'old age'; plural form; 'child of old age' — born to Jacob in his advanced years, a term also used of Joseph (Gen 37:3).
קָטָ֑ןyoungadj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective (describing child)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, young, youngest'; the child is both a child of old age and the youngest — doubly precious.
וְאָחִ֨יוand his brotherconj וְ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · אָח (H251)Subject (new clause — Benjamin's brother)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin's full brother — Joseph himself, though Judah does not know he is speaking to him.
מֵ֜תis deadQal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed state (death)מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the death reported to Jacob — the tragic irony is that Judah reports Joseph's 'death' to Joseph himself.
וַיִּוָּתֵ֨רand he was leftNiphal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָתַר (H3498)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָתַר (H3498) 'to remain, be left over'; Niphal passive — Benjamin alone remained of Rachel's sons.
ה֧וּאhepers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic pronoun)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; emphatic — 'he alone was left.'
לְבַדּ֛וֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · בַּד (H905)Adverbial phrase (exclusivity)בַּד (H905) 'alone, by oneself'; לְבַדּוֹ 'by himself alone'; Benjamin is the only surviving son of his mother.
לְאִמּ֖וֹto his motherprep לְ + N f sg constr + suff 3ms · אֵם (H517)Dative prepositional phrase (relational)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; Rachel, who died in childbirth (Gen 35:16–19); Benjamin is the sole survivor of Rachel's line as far as Jacob knows.
וְאָבִ֥יוand his fatherconj וְ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · אָב (H1)Subject (new clause)אָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob, whose emotional bond to Benjamin is the argument's center.
אֲהֵבֽוֹloves himQal perf 3ms + suff 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb→ Perfective: ongoing state of loveאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; the stative perfect — 'his father loves him'; the present reality of Jacob's love for Benjamin.
21

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ הוֹרִדֻ֖הוּ אֵלָ֑י וְאָשִׂ֥ימָה עֵינִ֖י עָלָֽיו

'Then you said to your servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes upon him.'

Joseph's demand for Benjamin is recalledוַתֹּאמֶר
The speech keeps responsibility for the dangerous descent tied to the ruler's explicit command.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙then you saidQal wayyiqtol 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled narrative (address to Joseph)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance in speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah shifts from recounting to directly addressing Joseph — 'then you said.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee of Joseph's command — 'to your servants.'
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Indirect objectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; the brothers as Joseph's servants — reminding Joseph of his own role in demanding Benjamin's descent.
הוֹרִדֻ֖הוּbring him downHiphil impv 2mp + suff 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (imperative — Joseph's command recalled)→ Volitional: command (recalled)יָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil causative 'to bring down'; Joseph's original demand to see Benjamin is the pivot of Judah's argument.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (Joseph as recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; 'bring him to me' — Joseph's words are quoted to show his responsibility for Benjamin's presence here.
וְאָשִׂ֥ימָהthat I may setQal cohortative 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Cohortative (purpose clause)→ Cohortative: first-person volitional — desired outcomeשִׂים (H7760) 'to set, place'; cohortative expressing purpose — 'that I may set my eye upon him.'
עֵינִ֖יmy eyeN f sg constr + suff 1cs · עַיִן (H5869)Direct objectעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; 'to set my eye upon him' — a Hebrew idiom for close personal attention or protective scrutiny.
עָלָֽיוupon himprep עַל + suff 3ms · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (object of attention)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; 'set my eye upon him' — the phrase implies special interest or concern for Benjamin.
22

וַנֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל אֲדֹנִ֔י לֹא יוּכַ֥ל הַנַּ֖עַר לַעֲזֹ֣ב אֶת אָבִ֑יו וְעָזַ֥ב אֶת אָבִ֖יו וָמֵֽת

'And we said to my lord, The boy cannot leave his father; if he should leave his father, he would die.'

The brothers had already warned of the father's dangerוַנֹּאמֶר
Judah shows that the household understood from the start that separation from the father could be fatal.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַנֹּ֨אמֶר֙and we saidQal wayyiqtol 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance in recalled speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers' earlier protest against bringing Benjamin is recalled to show they had warned of the danger.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee — 'we said to my lord.'
אֲדֹנִ֔יmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Indirect objectאָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the deferential address to Joseph maintained throughout the speech.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of following verb)לֹא (H3808) strong negation; 'the boy cannot leave his father.'
יוּכַ֥לis ableQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (capability denial)→ Yiqtol: modal — impossibilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; the brothers had explained the impossibility of separating Benjamin from Jacob.
הַנַּ֖עַרthe boyart + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subjectנַעַר (H5288) 'boy, young man, lad'; the term used throughout for Benjamin; despite being an adult, he is presented as the younger dependent.
לַעֲזֹ֣בto leaveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָזַב (H5800)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive construct: content of inabilityעָזַב (H5800) 'to leave, forsake, abandon'; the brothers warned that Benjamin cannot leave his father.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'his father' as the definite direct object of the leaving.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg constr + suff 3ms · אָב (H1)Direct object (of לַעֲזֹב)אָב (H1) 'father'; the separation of Benjamin from Jacob is presented as impossible for the boy.
וְעָזַ֥בand if he should leaveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָזַב (H5800)Conditional weqatal (protasis)→ Weqatal: conditional sequential — hypothetical futureעָזַב (H5800) 'to leave, forsake'; the weqatal introduces the hypothetical — 'if he should leave his father.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'his father' as the object of the hypothetical leaving.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + suff 3ms · אָב (H1)Direct object (repeated)אָב (H1) 'father'; the repetition of 'his father' stresses the bond — abandoning the father is the real danger here.
וָמֵֽתhe would dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Sequential weqatal (apodosis — fatal consequence)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — father would dieמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the father's death is presented as the consequence of Benjamin's departure — not Benjamin's death, but Jacob's.
23

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ אִם לֹ֥א יֵרֵ֛ד אֲחִיכֶ֥ם הַקָּטֹ֖ן אִתְּכֶ֑ם לֹ֥א תֹסִפ֖וּן לִרְא֥וֹת פָּנָֽי

'But you said to your servants, Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.'

Joseph's refusal of access without Benjamin is restatedוַתֹּאמֶר
The repeated formula about not seeing Joseph's face reveals how the whole ordeal was built around the youngest brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙but you saidQal wayyiqtol 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled speech (adversative)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah recalls Joseph's insistence — despite the brothers' warning, the lord maintained his demand.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to'; Joseph's words were addressed to the brothers as Joseph's servants.
עֲבָדֶ֔יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Indirect objectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; the brothers as Joseph's servants — the address locates responsibility.
אִםunlessconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (negative condition)אִם (H518) 'if'; with the following negation functions as 'unless' — 'unless your youngest brother comes with you.'
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (with אִם = unless)לֹא (H3808) negative; with אִם creates the negative condition 'if not' = 'unless.'
יֵרֵ֛דcomes downQal impf 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: modal — conditional futureיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the brothers must bring Benjamin down from Canaan to Egypt.
אֲחִיכֶ֥םyour brotherN m sg constr + suff 2mp · אָח (H251)Subject of conditional clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin, referred to as 'your youngest brother' — Joseph uses the family relationship.
הַקָּטֹ֖ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective (describing brother)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, youngest'; the same epithet used throughout — Benjamin's youth and vulnerability.
אִתְּכֶ֑םwith youprep אֵת + suff 2mp · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; 'with you' — the condition that Benjamin accompany the brothers to Egypt.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of following verb — apodosis)לֹא (H3808) strong negation in the apodosis — 'you shall not see my face again.'
תֹסִפ֖וּןyou shall againHiphil impf 2mp + energic נ · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (apodosis — prohibition)→ Yiqtol: future prohibitionיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, do again'; Hiphil of יָסַף 'to continue, do again'; with לִרְאוֹת — 'you shall not again see my face.'
לִרְא֥וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive construct: content of prohibitionרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'you shall not see my face' — access to Joseph is conditional on bringing Benjamin.
פָּנָֽיmy faceN m pl constr + suff 1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (of לִרְאוֹת)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; 'my face' — access to Joseph's presence was made contingent on Benjamin's descent.
24

וַיְהִי֙ כִּ֣י עָלִ֔ינוּ אֶֽל עַבְדְּךָ֖ אָבִ֑י וַנַּ֨גֶּד ל֔וֹ אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֥י אֲדֹנִֽי

'And it happened that when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.'

The report was brought back to Jacobוַיְהִי
Judah traces the line from Egypt back into the father's house, where the real stakes of the test lie.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיְהִי֙and it came to passQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol temporal formula→ Wayyiqtol: temporal narrative formulaהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; וַיְהִי כִּי is a standard temporal clause — 'and it happened when.'
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal conjunction (with וַיְהִי)כִּי (H3588) 'that, when'; with the preceding וַיְהִי forms the temporal formula 'when we went up.'
עָלִ֔ינוּwe went upQal perf 1cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate of temporal clause→ Perfective: completed prior actionעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the return journey northward from Egypt to Canaan — 'up' is the standard direction from Egypt to Canaan.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; the direction of the return — to the father's household.
עַבְדְּךָ֖your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of preposition (appositive construct)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; 'your servant my father' — the double subordination of calling one's own father Joseph's servant.
אָבִ֑יmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Appositive (specifying 'your servant')אָב (H1) 'father'; Judah simultaneously honors Joseph and humanizes Jacob by identifying him as both slave and parent.
וַנַּ֨גֶּדand we toldHiphil wayyiqtol 1cp · נָגַד (H5046)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, declare, make known'; Hiphil causative — 'we declared to him'; the brothers reported Joseph's words faithfully to Jacob.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + suff 3ms · לְIndirect objectPrep לְ + 3ms suffix; 'to him' — to Jacob the father.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'the words of my lord' as the definite direct object of the telling.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (construct head)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, words'; the brothers transmitted Joseph's demands precisely — the same words Judah has been rehearsing.
אֲדֹנִֽיmy lordN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Genitival modifier (source of words)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; Joseph's words — the ones that placed the family in its current dilemma.
25

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אָבִ֑ינוּ שֻׁ֖בוּ שִׁבְרוּ לָ֥נוּ מְעַט אֹֽכֶל

'And our father said, Return, buy us a little food.'

Jacob renewed the request for grainוַיֹּאמֶר
Necessity forced the matter forward even though the condition concerning Benjamin remained unchanged.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance in recalled speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's own words are now introduced — the father's voice enters the speech through Judah's narration.
אָבִ֑ינוּour fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cp · אָב (H1)Subjectאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob — 'our father' in contrast to 'your servant my father'; the familial perspective.
שֻׁ֖בוּreturnQal impv 2mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (imperative — Jacob's command)→ Volitional: direct commandשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, go back'; Jacob commands the brothers to go back to Egypt for more grain — driven by necessity.
שִׁבְרוּbuy grainQal impv 2mp · שָׁבַר (H7666)Second imperative (main command)→ Volitional: direct commandשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; the verb used specifically for grain purchase during famine — the family's survival depends on it.
לָ֥נוּfor usprep לְ + suff 1cp · לְDative (beneficiary)Prep לְ + 1cp suffix — 'for us'; the grain purchase is for the whole family's survival.
מְעַטa littleN m sg abs · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial accusative (extent/quantity)מְעַט (H4592) 'a little, small amount'; Jacob's modest request — just enough food to survive, not luxury.
אֹֽכֶלfoodN m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Direct object (of שִׁבְרוּ)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food, grain'; the famine compelled Jacob to send his sons back despite the impossible condition about Benjamin.
26

וַנֹּ֕אמֶר לֹ֥א נוּכַ֖ל לָרֶ֑דֶת אִם יֵשׁ֩ אָחִ֨ינוּ הַקָּטֹ֤ן אִתָּ֨נוּ֙ וְיָרַ֔דְנוּ כִּי לֹ֣א נוּכַ֗ל לִרְאוֹת֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָאִ֔ישׁ וְאָחִ֥ינוּ הַקָּטֹ֖ן אֵינֶ֥נּוּ אִתָּֽנוּ

'But we said, We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down, for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

The brothers restate the impossible condition of returnוַנֹּאמֶר
The speech presses the inevitability of taking Benjamin if the family was to live.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַנֹּ֕אמֶרand we saidQal wayyiqtol 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance in recalled speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the brothers' reply to Jacob is recalled to show their integrity — they explained the condition honestly.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of following verb)לֹא (H3808) strong negation; 'we cannot go down.'
נוּכַ֖לwe are ableQal impf 1cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (capability denial)→ Yiqtol: modal — impossibility statedיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; the brothers honestly reported the impossibility of returning without Benjamin.
לָרֶ֑דֶתto go downprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַד (H3381)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive construct: content of inabilityיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the journey south to Egypt is meant — 'we cannot go down to Egypt.'
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (condition of possibility)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the sole condition under which descent is possible — if Benjamin is with them.
יֵשׁ֩there isexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Predicate existential (conditional)יֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; 'if our youngest brother is with us' — the condition Joseph imposed.
אָחִ֨ינוּour brotherN m sg constr + suff 1cp · אָח (H251)Subject of existential clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin — 'our youngest brother' as a condition for return.
הַקָּטֹ֤ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjectiveקָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest, smallest'; consistently used of Benjamin throughout.
אִתָּ֨נוּ֙with usprep אֵת + suff 1cp · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)אֵת (H854) 'with'; 'with us' — the presence of Benjamin is the condition of return.
וְיָרַ֔דְנוּthen we will go downQal weqatal 1cp · יָרַד (H3381)Sequential weqatal (apodosis)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — conditional resolutionיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; 'then we will go down' — the apodosis of the condition.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason descent without Benjamin is impossible.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (of following verb)לֹא (H3808) strong negation in the explanatory clause.
נוּכַ֗לwe are ableQal impf 1cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (capability denial — repeated)→ Yiqtol: modal — impossibilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; the repeated denial reinforces the impossibility of facing Joseph without Benjamin.
לִרְאוֹת֙to seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Complementary infinitive→ Infinitive construct: content of impossibilityרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'we cannot see the man's face' — audience with Joseph is impossible without Benjamin.
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (construct head)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; 'the face of the man' — the idiom for formal access to a ruler's presence.
הָאִ֔ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitival modifier (whose face)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the brothers refer to Joseph as 'the man' without knowing he is their brother.
וְאָחִ֥ינוּand our brotherconj וְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cp · אָח (H251)Subject (condition clause — resumed)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin — the conditional clause is resumed: 'if our youngest brother is not with us.'
הַקָּטֹ֖ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective (repeated)קָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest'; the fourth use of this epithet in the speech emphasizes Benjamin's specific role in the condition.
אֵינֶ֥נּוּis notneg particle + suff 3ms · אַיִן (H369)Predicate negative existentialאַיִן (H369) 'not, there is not'; with 3ms suffix — 'he is not'; the negative of יֵשׁ, marking Benjamin's absence as the disqualifying condition.
אִתָּֽנוּwith usprep אֵת + suff 1cp · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment — negative)אֵת (H854) 'with'; 'not with us' — Benjamin's absence makes audience with Joseph impossible.
27

וַיֹּ֛אמֶר עַבְדְּךָ֥ אָבִ֖י אֵלֵ֑ינוּ אַתֶּ֣ם יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם כִּ֥י שְׁנַ֖יִם יָֽלְדָה לִּ֥י אִשְׁתִּֽי

'And your servant my father said to us, You know that my wife bore me two sons.'

Jacob's grief over Rachel's two sons is recalledוַיֹּאמֶר
The plea narrows the father's emotional world to Rachel's line and the fragility of what remains.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֛אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance in recalled speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Judah now introduces Jacob's words directly — the father's voice enters through the son's plea.
עַבְדְּךָ֥your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject (honorific self-reference for Jacob)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah refers to Jacob as Joseph's servant — 'your servant my father' — doubling the subordination.
אָבִ֖יmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Appositive (specifying subject)אָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob, identified simultaneously as Joseph's servant and Judah's father.
אֵלֵ֑ינוּto usprep אֶל + suff 1cp · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to'; 'he said to us' — Jacob's words were addressed to his sons collectively.
אַתֶּ֣םyoupers pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (of subordinate clause — emphatic)אַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; emphatic — 'you know that...' appealing to the brothers' own knowledge.
יְדַעְתֶּ֔םyou knowQal perf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause of reported speech)→ Perfective: established state of knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Jacob appeals to what the brothers already know — the unique status of Rachel's sons to him.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of what the brothers know.
שְׁנַ֖יִםtwonum m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Direct object (numeral — two sons)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; the dual form of שֵׁנִי; Jacob specifies that his wife bore him exactly two sons — Joseph and Benjamin.
יָֽלְדָהboreQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed birthיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; the Qal fem form refers to Rachel — 'my wife bore me two sons.'
לִּ֥יto meprep לְ + suff 1cs · לְDative (indirect object — paternity)Prep לְ + 1cs suffix; 'bore to me' — the children born to Jacob by Rachel, his beloved wife.
אִשְׁתִּֽיmy wifeN f sg constr + suff 1cs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (of birth)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; 'my wife' — Rachel, the beloved wife who died in childbirth; the emotional weight behind the two sons.
28

וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָֽאֶחָד֙ מֵֽאִתִּ֔י וָאֹמַ֕ר אַ֖ךְ טָרֹ֣ף טֹרָ֑ף וְלֹ֥א רְאִיתִ֖יו עַד הֵֽנָּה

'And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he has been torn to pieces, and I have not seen him since.'

Joseph's own presumed death is brought into the pleaוַיֵּצֵא
Judah invokes the old wound explicitly, making Benjamin's danger inseparable from Joseph's earlier loss.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֵּצֵ֤אand he went outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (recalled)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, depart'; Jacob recounts how the first son left — the language of departure heightens the pathos.
הָֽאֶחָד֙the oneart + num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Subjectאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; 'the one' — Joseph, without naming him; Jacob in his report avoids the name, lost in grief.
מֵֽאִתִּ֔יfrom meprep מִן + prep אֵת + suff 1cs · אֵת (H854)Ablative prepositional phrase (separation)אֵת (H854) 'with'; מֵאִתִּי 'from beside me, from my presence'; the intimate language of separation — the son who was taken from Jacob's side.
וָאֹמַ֕רand I saidQal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of recalled personal speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob recounts his own conclusion — the great irony that he speaks of Joseph's death to Judah who is speaking to Joseph.
אַ֖ךְsurelyrestrictive/asseverative particle · אַךְ (H389)Asseverative particle (emphasizes conclusion)אַךְ (H389) 'surely, indeed, only'; here asseverative — 'surely he has been torn to pieces'; Jacob's settled conviction about Joseph's fate.
טָרֹ֣ףtornQal inf abs · טָרַף (H2963)Infinitive absolute (intensification)→ Infinitive absolute: emphasizes certainty of violent deathטָרַף (H2963) 'to tear, rend prey'; inf abs before the passive finite verb — 'he has surely been torn to pieces'; the language of predatory death.
טֹרָ֑ףhe was tornQal passive perf 3ms · טָרַף (H2963)Predicate verb (with inf abs — Jacob's conclusion)→ Perfective: completed event in Jacob's beliefטָרַף (H2963) 'to tear, rend'; passive Qal — 'he was torn to pieces'; Jacob believes a wild animal killed Joseph (Gen 37:33).
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Negation (coordinate negative clause)לֹא (H3808) strong negation; 'and I have not seen him since.'
רְאִיתִ֖יוI have seen himQal perf 1cs + suff 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb→ Perfective: completed non-eventרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'I have not seen him' — the ongoing absence since Joseph's disappearance.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (extent)עַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; 'until now' — the absence has been continuous since Joseph's departure.
הֵֽנָּהnowadv · הֵנָּה (H2008)Temporal adverbהֵנָּה (H2008) 'here, now, hitherto'; 'until now' — the temporal extent of Jacob's grief.
29

וּלְקַחְתֶּ֧ם גַּם אֶת זֶ֛ה מֵעִ֥ם פָּנַ֖י וְקָרָ֣הוּ אָס֑וֹן וְהֽוֹרַדְתֶּ֧ם אֶת שֵׂיבָתִ֛י בְּרָעָ֖ה שְׁאֹֽלָה

'And if you take this one also from before me, and disaster befalls him, you will bring down my gray hair in misery to Sheol.'

Another bereavement would destroy the fatherוּלְקַחְתֶּם
The feared disaster to Benjamin is described as the final descent of Jacob's old age into Sheol.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּלְקַחְתֶּ֧םand if you takeQal weqatal 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Conditional weqatal (protasis — feared future)→ Weqatal: conditional sequential — hypothetical futureלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Jacob voices his fear — 'if you take this one also from me.'
גַּםalsoadditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; 'this one also' — the second loss after Joseph's would be devastating.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks Benjamin as the definite direct object of the feared taking.
זֶ֛הthis onedem pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Direct object (demonstrative — Benjamin)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; Jacob refers to Benjamin as 'this one' — the sole remaining son of Rachel.
מֵעִ֥םfrom beforeprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Ablative prepositional phrase (separation)עִם (H5973) 'with'; מֵעִם 'from with, from before me'; the intimate language of removal from the father's immediate presence.
פָּנַ֖יmy faceN m pl constr + suff 1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prepositionפָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מֵעִם פָּנַי 'from before my face, from my presence'; the separation is described in terms of face-to-face relationship.
וְקָרָ֣הוּand disaster befalls himQal weqatal 3ms + suff 3ms · קָרָה (H7136)Sequential weqatal (apodosis — feared outcome)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — feared resultקָרָה (H7136) 'to happen, meet, befall'; the Qal of occurrence — 'and if disaster befalls him.'
אָס֑וֹןdisasterN m sg abs · אָסוֹן (H611)Subject of קָרָה (cognate to direct object)אָסוֹן (H611) 'disaster, harm, fatal accident'; a rare word appearing only here and Gen 42:4, 38; the vague term for catastrophic harm.
וְהֽוֹרַדְתֶּ֧םthen you will bring downHiphil weqatal 2mp · יָרַד (H3381)Sequential weqatal (consequence clause)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — result of lossיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil 'to bring down'; the brothers would be responsible for Jacob's descent to Sheol.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks Jacob's grey hair as the definite object of the bringing down.
שֵׂיבָתִ֛יmy grey hairN f sg constr + suff 1cs · שֵׂיבָה (H7872)Direct objectשֵׂיבָה (H7872) 'grey hair, old age'; a metonym for Jacob himself in his old age — 'you will bring down my grey hair to Sheol.'
בְּרָעָ֖הin miseryprep בְּ + N f sg abs · רָעָה (H7451)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/condition)רָעָה (H7451) 'evil, misfortune, sorrow'; 'in misery, in sorrow' — the qualitative state of the descent to Sheol.
שְׁאֹֽלָהto Sheolproper noun + dir ה · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)שְׁאוֹל (H7585) 'Sheol, the underworld, the realm of the dead'; with dir ה — 'to Sheol'; death is the ultimate destination of Jacob's grief.
30

וְעַתָּ֗ה כְּבֹאִי֙ אֶל עַבְדְּךָ֣ אָבִ֔י וְהַנַּ֖עַר אֵינֶ֣נּוּ אִתָּ֑נוּ וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ קְשׁוּרָ֥ה בְנַפְשֽׁוֹ

'And now, when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, while his life is bound up with the boy's life, '

Judah turns from retelling to immediate consequenceוְעַתָּה
The speech shifts from narrative rehearsal to the direct scene that will unfold if Benjamin does not return.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Transitional conjunction + adverb (turning to present)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; with וְ — 'and now'; marks the pivot from historical narration to the present crisis and its consequences.
כְּבֹאִי֙when I comeprep כְּ + Qal inf constr + suff 1cs · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal prepositional phrase (protasis)בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the inf constr with כְּ and 1cs suffix — 'when I come'; Judah now imagines the scene of returning without Benjamin.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; direction of Judah's return — to Jacob the father.
עַבְדְּךָ֣your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Object of preposition (appositive construct)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Jacob is again called 'your servant my father' — the honorific formula maintained before Joseph.
אָבִ֔יmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Appositive (specifying 'your servant')אָב (H1) 'father'; the dual identification — Joseph's servant and Judah's father.
וְהַנַּ֖עַרand the boyconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject (circumstantial clause)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — the circumstantial clause describes his absence as the defining condition.
אֵינֶ֣נּוּis notneg particle + suff 3ms · אַיִן (H369)Predicate negative existential (circumstantial)אַיִן (H369) 'not, there is not'; with 3ms suffix — 'he is not there'; Benjamin's absence is the catastrophic condition.
אִתָּ֑נוּwith usprep אֵת + suff 1cp · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment — absent)אֵת (H854) 'with'; 'with us' — the presence the father will expect and not find.
וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹand his lifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + suff 3ms · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject (second circumstantial clause)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person, desire'; here 'his life/soul' — Jacob's נֶפֶשׁ, his very being, is the subject of the binding.
קְשׁוּרָ֥הis bound upQal passive ptc f sg abs · קָשַׁר (H7194)Predicate participle (circumstantial — ongoing state)→ Passive participle: ongoing bound stateקָשַׁר (H7194) 'to bind, tie'; passive ptc — 'is bound'; one of the most emotionally resonant phrases in the Joseph cycle — the father's life is knotted to the son's.
בְנַפְשֽׁוֹto his lifeprep בְּ + N f sg constr + suff 3ms · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase (object of binding)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life'; the second נֶפֶשׁ refers to Benjamin — 'Jacob's soul is bound to Benjamin's soul'; life bound to life.
31

וְהָיָ֗ה כִּרְאוֹת֛וֹ כִּי אֵ֥ין הַנַּ֖עַר וָמֵ֑ת וְהוֹרִ֨ידוּ עֲבָדֶ֜יךָ אֶת שֵׂיבַ֨ת עַבְדְּךָ֥ אָבִ֛ינוּ בְּיָג֖וֹן שְׁאֹֽלָה

'it will happen that when he sees that the boy is not there, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father in sorrow to Sheol.'

Jacob's death is presented as the foreseeable resultוְהָיָה
The father's life is described as hanging on the presence of the boy, so Benjamin's loss becomes Jacob's death.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְהָיָ֗הit will come to passQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Sequential weqatal (apodosis — foreseeable consequence)→ Weqatal: sequential future — certain outcomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; וְהָיָה signals the certain future consequence — 'it will happen.'
כִּרְאוֹת֛וֹwhen he seesprep כְּ + Qal inf constr + suff 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Temporal prepositional phrase (subordinate condition)רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'when he sees' — the moment of discovery, the father scanning the returning party.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Content conjunction (object of seeing)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces what Jacob will see — the absence of the boy.
אֵ֥יןthere is noneg existential · אַיִן (H369)Predicate negative existentialאַיִן (H369) 'not, there is not'; 'the boy is not there' — the fact that will kill Jacob.
הַנַּ֖עַרthe boyart + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject of negative existentialנַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — his absence is what Jacob will register and what will destroy him.
וָמֵ֑תhe will dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Sequential weqatal (consequence — Jacob's death)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — death follows seeingמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Jacob's death is the immediate and certain consequence of discovering Benjamin is gone.
וְהוֹרִ֨ידוּand they will bring downHiphil weqatal 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Sequential weqatal (consequence — guilt assigned)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — moral responsibilityיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Hiphil 'to bring down'; the brothers will be morally responsible for bringing Jacob's grey hair to Sheol.
עֲבָדֶ֜יךָyour servantsN m pl constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject (of bringing down)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah refers to himself and his brothers as 'your servants' — they will bear the guilt before Joseph.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'the grey hair of your servant our father' as the direct object.
שֵׂיבַ֨תthe grey hair ofN f sg constr · שֵׂיבָה (H7872)Direct object (construct head)שֵׂיבָה (H7872) 'grey hair, old age'; the metonym for Jacob's aged life — echoes v. 29's identical phrase.
עַבְדְּךָ֥your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitival modifier (appositive construct)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Jacob — 'the grey hair of your servant our father'; the double identification again.
אָבִ֛ינוּour fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cp · אָב (H1)Appositive (specifying 'your servant')אָב (H1) 'father'; the familial term completes the identification — Jacob is both Joseph's servant and the brothers' father.
בְּיָג֖וֹןin sorrowprep בְּ + N m sg abs · יָגוֹן (H3015)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)יָגוֹן (H3015) 'sorrow, grief'; stronger than בְּרָעָה in v. 29 — here the explicit word for grief accompanies the descent to Sheol.
שְׁאֹֽלָהto Sheolproper noun + dir ה · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Directional adverbial (terminative ה)שְׁאוֹל (H7585) 'Sheol, the realm of the dead'; the same destination as v. 29 — Jacob's death in grief is the conclusion of the argument.
32

כִּ֤י עַבְדְּךָ֙ עָרַ֣ב אֶת הַנַּ֔עַר מֵעִ֥ם אָבִ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר אִם לֹ֤א אֲבִיאֶ֨נּוּ֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְחָטָ֥אתִי לְאָבִ֖י כָּל הַיָּמִֽים

'For your servant became surety for the boy with my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my days.'

Judah invokes his personal suretyכִּי
The plea now binds the public crisis to Judah's own pledged accountability before his father.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (ground for the plea)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the personal basis of Judah's intervention — his own pledged surety.
עַבְדְּךָ֙your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject (Judah in humble self-reference)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah refers to himself as 'your servant' — the humble self-designation maintained throughout.
עָרַ֣בbecame suretyQal perf 3ms · עָרַב (H6148)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed binding legal actעָרַב (H6148) 'to pledge, become surety, guarantee'; a legal-commercial term — Judah placed himself as guarantee for Benjamin's safety.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'the boy' as the definite object of the surety arrangement.
הַנַּ֔עַרthe boyart + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Direct object (of surety pledge)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — the object of the pledge Judah made to his father.
מֵעִ֥םfrom withprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Ablative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with'; מֵעִם 'from with, from the presence of'; Judah pledged Benjamin to his father.
אָבִ֖יmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Object of preposition (from whom the pledge was made)אָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob — the pledge was made to the father specifically.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Indirect discourse marker→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted pledgeאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר introduces the specific words of Judah's surety pledge from Gen 43:9.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (protasis of pledge)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the conditional that activates the pledge.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (with אִם = 'if I do not')לֹא (H3808) negation; אִם לֹא — 'if I do not bring him.'
אֲבִיאֶ֨נּוּ֙I bring himHiphil impf 1cs + suff 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate of conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional future — the pledged actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, bring'; Hiphil causative 'to bring'; 'if I do not bring him back to you.'
אֵלֶ֔יךָto youprep אֶל + suff 2ms · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (of bringing)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; 'to you' — to Jacob; the pledge was made to the father, not to Joseph.
וְחָטָ֥אתִיthen I shall bear guiltQal weqatal 1cs · חָטָא (H2398)Sequential weqatal (apodosis — consequence of failure)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — self-imposed guiltחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss, bear guilt'; the weqatal expresses what Judah would bear — 'I shall have sinned against my father.'
לְאָבִ֖יbefore my fatherprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Dative prepositional phrase (injured party)אָב (H1) 'father'; 'sinned against my father' — the relationship that binds the pledge.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative (extent — all my days)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; 'all my days' — the guilt would be perpetual, not temporary.
הַיָּמִֽיםthe daysart + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitival modifier (construct chain — duration)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; כָּל הַיָּמִים 'all the days' — perpetual guilt before the father if he failed his pledge.
33

וְעַתָּ֗ה יֵֽשֶׁב נָ֤א עַבְדְּךָ֙ תַּ֣חַת הַנַּ֔עַר עֶ֖בֶד לַֽאדֹנִ֑י וְהַנַּ֖עַר יַ֥עַל עִם אֶחָֽיו

'And now, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a slave to my lord, and let the boy go up with his brothers.'

Judah offers himself in Benjamin's placeוְעַתָּה
The speech reaches its moral summit in substitution: Judah would remain enslaved so that the boy may go free.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Transitional conjunction + adverb (climactic pivot)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; the second וְעַתָּה of the speech — the first (v. 30) turned to the crisis; this one turns to the solution.
יֵֽשֶׁבlet remainQal jussive 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (jussive — Judah's offer)→ Volitional: jussive — request/offerיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; jussive — 'let your servant remain'; the great substitution: Judah offers himself in Benjamin's place.
נָ֤אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Softening particle (with jussive)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; appeals for consideration of the request — not command but humble petition.
עַבְדְּךָ֙your servantN m sg constr + suff 2ms · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of jussive (Judah — substitute)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Judah refers to himself — 'let your servant remain'; the moral summit of the speech.
תַּ֣חַתinstead ofprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase (substitution)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, in place of, instead of'; the key substitution preposition — Judah in place of Benjamin; the same word used for Benjamin's grain silver replacing the cup in v. 4.
הַנַּ֔עַרthe boyart + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Object of preposition (the one replaced)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — Judah offers himself as substitute, to remain enslaved so that Benjamin goes free.
עֶ֖בֶדas slaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement (Judah's status if accepted)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; Judah voluntarily accepts slavery — reversing the act by which his brother was once enslaved.
לַֽאדֹנִ֑יto my lordprep לְ + N m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָדֹן (H113)Dative (enslavement to)אָדֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; 'to my lord' — Judah will be Joseph's slave; the ironic reversal of the Joseph story reaches its peak.
וְהַנַּ֖עַרand the boyconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject (second jussive clause)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — the one who must be freed.
יַ֥עַלlet go upQal jussive 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (second jussive — Benjamin's release)→ Volitional: jussive — request for Benjamin's releaseעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; jussive — 'let the boy go up'; the direction is northward from Egypt to Canaan.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Comitative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; Benjamin returns with the brothers.
אֶחָֽיוhis brothersN m pl constr + suff 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of preposition (companions)אָח (H251) 'brother'; 'with his brothers' — Benjamin returns home to the family, while Judah remains enslaved in Egypt.
34

כִּי אֵיךְ֙ אֶֽעֱלֶ֣ה אֶל אָבִ֔י וְהַנַּ֖עַר אֵינֶ֣נּוּ אִתִּ֑י פֶּ֚ן אֶרְאֶ֣ה בָרָ֔ע אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִמְצָ֖א אֶת אָבִֽי

'For how shall I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? Lest I see the evil that would find my father.'

Judah refuses to witness his father's collapseכִּי
The plea closes not with self-justification but with unwillingness to see the evil that would overtake the father.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the plea)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the emotional and ethical ground of the entire plea — the impossibility of facing the father without Benjamin.
אֵיךְ֙howinterrog adv · אֵיךְ (H349)Interrogative adverb (rhetorical impossibility)אֵיךְ (H349) 'how?'; the rhetorical question that closes the speech — not requesting an answer but declaring an impossibility.
אֶֽעֱלֶ֣הshall I go upQal impf 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate of rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal — impossibility declaredעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; 'how shall I go up to my father?' — the journey back to Canaan without Benjamin is inconceivable.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; direction of the impossible return — to the father.
אָבִ֔יmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Object of prepositionאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob — the emotional center of the entire speech; the father whose grief Judah cannot bear to witness.
וְהַנַּ֖עַרand the boyconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject (circumstantial clause)נַעַר (H5288) 'boy, lad'; Benjamin — the circumstantial clause gives the condition that makes return impossible.
אֵינֶ֣נּוּis notneg particle + suff 3ms · אַיִן (H369)Predicate negative existential (circumstantial)אַיִן (H369) 'not, there is not'; with 3ms suffix — 'he is not'; Benjamin's absence is the defining catastrophe.
אִתִּ֑יwith meprep אֵת + suff 1cs · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment — absent)אֵת (H854) 'with'; now 'with me' — the personal rather than collective 'with us'; Judah takes the burden individually.
פֶּ֚ןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, for fear that'; introduces the feared outcome that Judah cannot bear — 'lest I see the evil.'
אֶרְאֶ֣הI seeQal impf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (purpose/fear clause)→ Yiqtol: modal — feared potential outcomeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Judah refuses to witness his father's destruction — 'lest I see the evil that would find my father.'
בָרָ֔עthe evilprep בְּ + art + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Prepositional phrase (object of seeing)רַע (H7451) 'evil, harm, disaster'; here as a substantive adj with art — 'the evil, the disaster'; what Judah fears to witness overtaking his father.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause describing the evil — 'the evil that would find my father.'
יִמְצָ֖אwould findQal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate of relative clause (modal future)→ Yiqtol: modal — feared potential eventמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, meet, befall'; 'the evil that would befall my father'; the verb מָצָא echoes the cup's discovery in v. 12 — now it is grief that 'finds' Jacob.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks 'my father' as the definite object of the evil's finding.
אָבִֽיmy fatherN m sg constr + suff 1cs · אָב (H1)Direct object (the one the evil would find)אָב (H1) 'father'; the final word of Judah's speech is 'my father' — the center of the whole argument and the reason for the substitution.