Genesis 42:22

20 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.”

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!”

23 They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.

24 And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.

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
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!”
KJV
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.
WEB
Reuben answered them, saying, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘Don’t sin against the child,’ and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.”
ASV
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.
DARBY
And Reuben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Do not sin against the lad? But ye did not hearken; and now behold, his blood also is required.
BLB
And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you⁺, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’? and you⁺ did not listen! And also, his blood, behold, it is required.”
ÅB
Da tok Ruben til orde og sa til dem: Sa jeg ikke til dere: Gjør ikke synd mot gutten? Men dere ville ikke høre; se, derfor kreves nå hans blod.
OTB
Ruben svarte: "Sa jeg ikke til dere at dere ikke skulle synde mot gutten? Men dere ville ikke høre! Nå kreves rettferdighet for hans blod."
B1930
Da tok Ruben til orde og sa til dem: Sa jeg ikke til eder: Gjør ikke synd mot gutten? Men I vilde ikke høre; se, derfor kreves nu hans blod.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 9:12

    For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 2:32

    The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 24:22

    Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 37:21–22

    When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 9:5–6

    And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man:

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:50–51

    As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world,

    Read in context
  • Revelation 16:9

    And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues; yet they did not repent and give Him glory.

    Read in context
  • Acts 28:4

    When the islanders saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “Surely this man is a murderer. Although he was saved from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

    Read in context