Genesis 42:20

¹⁸ and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:

¹⁹ If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households.

Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.

²¹ Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

²² And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.
KJV: But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
WEB: Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
ASV: and bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
DARBY: and bring your youngest brother to me, in order that your words be verified, and that ye may not die. And they did so.
BLB: And you⁺ shall bring your⁺ youngest brother to me, and your⁺ words will be verified, and you⁺ shall not die.” And they did so.

ÅB: og før deres yngste bror til meg, så deres ord kan sannes, og dere ikke skal dø. Og de så gjorde.
OTB: Men dere må bringe deres yngste bror til meg, så ordene deres kan bli bekreftet og dere ikke skal dø." Og de gikk med på det.
B1930: og før eders yngste bror til mig, så eders ord kan sannes, og I ikke skal dø. Og de så gjorde.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 42:34
But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”
Read in context
Genesis 43:5
But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”
Read in context
Genesis 44:23
But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’
Read in context
Genesis 42:15
And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
Read in context
John 2:5
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.”
Read in context
Genesis 43:19
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
Read in context
Genesis 42:26
and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed.
Read in context
Genesis 6:22
So Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him.
Read in context