Genesis 42:22

Jacob's oldest son Reuben said, “I told you not to hurt the boy, but you didn't listen to me. All of us are getting payback for what we did.”

Barkly (portions)

In The King James Version

And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

In Context

21They said to each other, “We are getting payback for what we did to our brother Joseph. All those years ago we saw that he was really frightened. He asked us again and again not to hurt him, but we would not listen. That is why we are having this trouble now.”

23Joseph's brothers were talking in their Hebrew language. They did not know that Joseph could understand what they were saying. He spoke to them in the Egyptian language and another man told the brothers what Joseph said in their own language.

Read all of Genesis 42

Cross References

Genesis 4:10The Lord said to Cain, “Why have you done this really bad thing? I can see your brother's blood on the ground, and it is like his blood is calling out to me. That blood is telling me that you killed your brother.

Genesis 37:29When Reuben came back to the well, he found that Joseph was not there anymore. He was so upset he ripped his clothes.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 42:22-29

Reflections of Joseph's Brethren. ( b. c. 1706.) 21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. 22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. 23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter. 24 And… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Genesis 42:22