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Genesis 44:20 - Father's love for youngest son?

Genesis 44:20 - בראשית 44:20

Hebrew Text

וַנֹּאמֶר אֶל־אֲדֹנִי יֶשׁ־לָנוּ אָב זָקֵן וְיֶלֶד זְקֻנִים קָטָן וְאָחִיו מֵת וַיִּוָּתֵר הוּא לְבַדּוֹ לְאִמּוֹ וְאָבִיו אֲהֵבוֹ׃

English Translation

And we said to my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loves him.

Transliteration

Vanomer el-adoni yesh-lanu av zaken veyeled zekunim katan ve'achiv met vayivater hu levado le'imo ve'aviv ahevo

Hebrew Leining Text

וַנֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֔י יֶשׁ־לָ֙נוּ֙ אָ֣ב זָקֵ֔ן וְיֶ֥לֶד זְקֻנִ֖ים קָטָ֑ן וְאָחִ֣יו מֵ֔ת וַיִּוָּתֵ֨ר ה֧וּא לְבַדּ֛וֹ לְאִמּ֖וֹ וְאָבִ֥יו אֲהֵבֽוֹ׃
וַנֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־אֲדֹנִ֔י יֶשׁ־לָ֙נוּ֙ אָ֣ב זָקֵ֔ן וְיֶ֥לֶד זְקֻנִ֖ים קָטָ֑ן וְאָחִ֣יו מֵ֔ת וַיִּוָּתֵ֨ר ה֧וּא לְבַדּ֛וֹ לְאִמּ֖וֹ וְאָבִ֥יו אֲהֵבֽוֹ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Bereshit 44:20) appears in the narrative where Yehuda pleads before Yosef (still unrecognized as their brother) on behalf of Binyamin. The brothers explain their family situation to Yosef, emphasizing their father Yaakov's deep attachment to Binyamin, the youngest son.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments on the phrase "וְיֶלֶד זְקֻנִים קָטָן" ("a child of his old age, a little one"):

  • This refers to Binyamin, who was born in Yaakov's old age.
  • The term "זְקֻנִים" (old age) is plural to indicate that he was born when both of Yaakov's parents (Yitzchak and Rivka) were already elderly.
  • Rashi notes that Binyamin was actually not "little" in age at this point (being at least 30 years old), but was still called this because he was the youngest in the family.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra focuses on the phrase "וְאָחִיו מֵת" ("and his brother is dead"):

  • The brothers refer to Yosef as dead, not knowing he stands before them.
  • This demonstrates how thoroughly they believed Yosef was gone, having seen the bloodied coat years earlier.

Ramban's Commentary

Ramban explains the significance of mentioning "לְאִמּוֹ" ("of his mother"):

  • This emphasizes that Binyamin was the only remaining child of Rachel, Yaakov's most beloved wife.
  • The loss of Binyamin would mean the complete end of Rachel's line in Yaakov's household.
  • This explains why Yaakov was particularly attached to Binyamin beyond just being the youngest.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 93:7) notes:

  • The brothers' description of their father's love for Binyamin echoes the earlier favoritism shown to Yosef.
  • This demonstrates how the brothers had learned from their past mistakes regarding favoritism.
  • Their plea shows new sensitivity to their father's feelings, marking their teshuvah (repentance) for how they treated Yosef.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 91b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of Jacob's love for Benjamin and the implications of this love in the narrative of Joseph and his brothers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the context of Genesis 44:20?
A: Genesis 44:20 is part of the story where Joseph's brothers are speaking to him (though they don't yet recognize him). They are explaining why they can't return without their youngest brother Benjamin, describing their elderly father Jacob's deep love for him as Rachel's only remaining son (after Joseph). This sets up the emotional tension in the narrative.
Q: Why does the verse emphasize that Benjamin is 'a child of his old age'?
A: Rashi explains that the term 'child of his old age' (yeled zekunim) refers to Benjamin being born when Jacob was very old. The Midrash adds that Benjamin had certain qualities of an older person even as a youth, making him especially dear to Jacob. This explains Jacob's protective love for him.
Q: What does this verse teach us about family relationships?
A: This verse highlights several Jewish values: 1) Honoring elderly parents (kibud av v'em), as the brothers are concerned for their father Jacob. 2) The special bond between parents and children. 3) The importance of protecting vulnerable family members, as Benjamin is the youngest and his father's favorite.
Q: Why do the brothers mention that Benjamin's brother 'is dead'?
A: The brothers refer to Joseph being 'dead' (though he's actually alive), showing their guilt and how this family trauma still affects them. Ramban notes this demonstrates how past family conflicts can create lasting pain, teaching us to be careful with our words and actions toward siblings.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader Joseph story?
A: This moment is pivotal - the brothers' protection of Benjamin shows their moral growth since selling Joseph. The Talmud (Chagigah 4b) sees this as part of G-d's plan to reunite the family. Their mention of Jacob's love for Benjamin echoes earlier favoritism that caused problems, but now leads to reconciliation.