Genesis 42:4 Meaning and Explanation
“But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jacob keeps Benjamin home because he fears harm might come to his youngest and last remaining son.
The Context of Genesis 42:4
Jacob refuses to send Benjamin, fearing something might happen to him.
What Does Genesis 42:4 Mean?
Jacob's protectiveness of Benjamin reveals the depth of his trauma. Having lost Joseph, he refuses to risk Benjamin. The word 'peradventure'—perhaps or by chance—shows Jacob's anxiety; any danger, however unlikely, feels possible when you have already suffered devastating loss.
Benjamin is now Jacob's last tangible connection to his beloved Rachel. This overprotectiveness, born from grief, will soon become a source of new tension and testing. Jacob's caution, meant to preserve his family, will eventually require him to let go.
Genesis 42:4 in the Original Language
peradventure (פֶּן־קָרָה), 'lest...befall' — expressing apprehension of potential harm
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 42:4
What does Genesis 42:4 mean?
Jacob keeps Benjamin home because he fears harm might come to his youngest and last remaining son.
What is the context of Genesis 42:4?
Jacob refuses to send Benjamin, fearing something might happen to him.