What Does Genesis 44:9 Mean in the King James?
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The vow binds the brothers to Benjamin’s fate in words, then tests whether one of them will carry that bond himself.
THE MEANING
A pledge places one person’s fate inside the whole group’s: one is named for death, while the others accept service under their lord. Solidarity is spoken collectively here, and its depth comes into view when one person stands in another’s place.
THE ROOT
לַעֲבָדִים
la-ʿăvādîm
GROWS FROM
עבד
to work, to serve
The Hebrew word for “bondmen” grows from the same root as the act of serving. The brothers offer a changed relationship under their lord’s authority; later, Judah uses this same root when he offers himself in the lad’s place.
ALSO GROWS
ʿāvad: to serve, to work
עָבַד
The verb shows the action held inside the noun: the brothers offer themselves to serve their lord.
ʿăvōdāh: service, labor
עֲבֹדָה
This related noun makes the offered status concrete as service and labor.
THE PATTERN
A pledge becomes visible when a speaker accepts another person’s cost as his own.
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;THE THREAD
Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.The root עבד (ʿābad, to serve or work) returns in Judah’s offer to remain as a servant in the lad’s place. The earlier vow makes the brothers servants if the cup is found; here one person offers himself in the lad’s stead.
This reading is from Selah Verse.
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