Genesis 44:29

Verse

Now if you also take this one from me and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’

American Standard Version (1901)

and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.

If now you take this one from me, and some evil comes to him, you will make my grey head go down in sorrow to the underworld.

Douay-Rheims 1899

If you take this also, and any thing befall him in the way you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow unto hell.

Free Bible Version

If you take this one away from me too, and something bad happens to him, you'll send this old man to his grave in grief.’

Geneva Bible 1599

Nowe yee take this also away from me: if death take him, then yee shall bring my graye head in sorowe to the graue.

King James (Authorized) Version

And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

One Unity Resource Bible

If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol ·Place of the dead·.’

Translation for Translators

I am an old gray-haired man. If you take this other one from me, too, and something harms him, you would cause me to die because of my sorrow.’

Unlocked Literal Bible

Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.'

Noah Webster Bible

And if ye take this also from me, and mischief shall befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

World English Bible

If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.’

Young's Literal Translation

when ye have taken also this from my presence, and mischief hath met him, then ye have brought down my grey hairs with evil to sheol.

Context

Judah Pleads for Benjamin

²⁸When one of them was gone, I said: “Surely he has been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since.²⁹Now if you also take this one from me and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’

Summary

In this verse, Judah expresses deep concern for his father Jacob's well-being, highlighting the strong bond within the family. Judah's plea to protect Benjamin and his willingness to take responsibility demonstrate a significant change in character since his involvement in selling Joseph into slavery. This moment reflects a pivotal point in the narrative, revealing the transformation and redemption of Judah. It also foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and restoration of the family, showcasing God's faithfulness in bringing about healing and forgiveness.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And if ye take this also from me,.... His son Benjamin, as he perhaps suspected they had taken Joseph, and made away with him: and mischief befall him; either in Egypt, or on the road, going or returning, any ill accident, especially death, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, or what may issue in it: ye shall bring my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave; it would be the means of his death, and while he lived he should be full of sorrow and grief; see Gen 42:38.