The Meaning of Genesis 42:4 Explained

Genesis 42:4

KJV: But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

YLT: and Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob hath not sent with his brethren, for he said, 'Lest mischief meet him.'

Darby: But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest mischief may befall him.

ASV: But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest Peradventure harm befall him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But Benjamin,  Joseph's  brother,  Jacob  sent  not with his brethren;  for he said,  Lest peradventure  mischief  befall him. 

What does Genesis 42:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 42:1-17 - Joseph Sees His Ten Brothers
The true interpretation of Joseph's treatment of his brethren is to be found in the supposition that he repeated toward them, as nearly as possible, the behavior that they had shown to himself at the pit's mouth, and this with no thought of retaliation, but that their consciences might be awakened, and that he might discover if they would deal differently with Benjamin than they had dealt with him. He needed to be sure of their repentance before he could trust himself to them again. His purpose therefore was in part secured when he heard them saying to each other in the dear old home-tongue, which they never expected him to understand, "We are verily guilty because of our brother." So God deals with us. The east wind blows bitterly in our faces, the famine is behind and the harsh governor before. All these things are hard to bear; but behind them is the tenderest love, which struggles with its tears and is only eager to get us right before entrusting itself to us. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 42

1  Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt
16  They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies
18  They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin
21  They have remorse for Joseph
24  Simeon is kept for a pledge
25  They return with grain, and their money
29  Their relation to Jacob
36  Jacob refuses to send Benjamin

What do the individual words in Genesis 42:4 mean?

But Benjamin brother of Joseph not did send Jacob with his brothers for he said lest befall him harm
וְאֶת־ בִּנְיָמִין֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף לֹא־ שָׁלַ֥ח יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶת־ אֶחָ֑יו כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר פֶּן־ יִקְרָאֶ֖נּוּ אָסֽוֹן

בִּנְיָמִין֙  Benjamin 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: בִּנְיָמִין 
Sense: Jacob’s and Rachel’s youngest son, Joseph’s full brother.
אֲחִ֣י  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
יוֹסֵ֔ף  of  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
שָׁלַ֥ח  did  send 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יַעֲקֹ֖ב  Jacob 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
אֶחָ֑יו  his  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
אָמַ֔ר  he  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
פֶּן־  lest 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: פֶּן  
Sense: lest, not, beware lest adv.
יִקְרָאֶ֖נּוּ  befall  him 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: קָרָא  
Sense: to encounter, befall, meet.
אָסֽוֹן  harm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָסׄון  
Sense: evil, mischief, harm, hurt.