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Genesis 42:13 - Missing brother's fate questioned

Genesis 42:13 - בראשית 42:13

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמְרוּ שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר עֲבָדֶיךָ אַחִים אֲנַחְנוּ בְּנֵי אִישׁ־אֶחָד בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן וְהִנֵּה הַקָּטֹן אֶת־אָבִינוּ הַיּוֹם וְהָאֶחָד אֵינֶנּוּ׃

English Translation

And they said, Thy servants are twelve, we are brothers, sons of one man in the land of Kena῾an; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.

Transliteration

Vayomru shneim asar avadecha achim anachnu bnei ish-echad be'eretz Kena'an vehine hakaton et-avinu hayom veha'echad einenu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂר֩ עֲבָדֶ֨יךָ אַחִ֧ים <small>׀</small> אֲנַ֛חְנוּ בְּנֵ֥י אִישׁ־אֶחָ֖ד בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַקָּטֹ֤ן אֶת־אָבִ֙ינוּ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְהָאֶחָ֖ד אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃
וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂר֩ עֲבָדֶ֨יךָ אַחִ֧ים ׀ אֲנַ֛חְנוּ בְּנֵ֥י אִישׁ־אֶחָ֖ד בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַקָּטֹ֤ן אֶת־אָבִ֙ינוּ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְהָאֶחָ֖ד אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 42:13) appears during the encounter between Yosef's brothers and the Egyptian viceroy (Yosef himself, though they do not recognize him). The brothers are responding to Yosef's accusation that they are spies by explaining their family situation. This moment is pivotal in the unfolding drama of Yosef and his brothers.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the brothers' statement "we are brothers" refers to their unity—they share a common father and are bound by brotherhood. When they say "the youngest is this day with our father," Rashi notes they were unknowingly fulfilling the prophecy of Yosef's dreams, as they were bowing before him (the "youngest" being Binyamin, who was not present at the sale of Yosef). The phrase "and one is no more" (וְהָאֶחָד אֵינֶנּוּ) refers to Yosef, whom they believed was dead.

Midrashic Insights

  • Brotherly Unity: The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:7) highlights that the brothers emphasized their unity ("we are brothers") to show they were not spies, as spies would not be so closely related.
  • Yosef's Hidden Presence: The Midrash notes the irony in their words—"one is no more"—while Yosef stood before them. This reflects the theme of divine providence, as their actions were part of Hashem's plan.

Rambam's Perspective

Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 2:1) might view this episode as a lesson in hashgacha pratit (divine providence). The brothers' words, though seemingly simple, were part of a larger divine plan to bring about Yosef's rise and the eventual sustenance of Bnei Yisrael in Mitzrayim.

Literary and Thematic Analysis

The phrase "the youngest is this day with our father" underscores Yaakov's favoritism, mirroring the earlier favoritism shown to Yosef. This repetition hints at the recurring theme of sibling rivalry and parental love in Sefer Bereshit. The brothers' mention of their father's grief ("one is no more") also serves as an unconscious admission of guilt, as they were responsible for Yosef's disappearance.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 16b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the story of Joseph and his brothers, illustrating the brothers' plea to Joseph before revealing his identity.
📖 Sotah 10b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the righteousness of Jacob's sons and their unity as brothers, despite their earlier conflict with Joseph.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the 'twelve brothers' mentioned in Genesis 42:13?
A: The twelve brothers are the sons of Yaakov (Jacob), who later become the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In this verse, they are speaking to Yosef (Joseph), though they do not yet recognize him. The 'youngest' refers to Binyamin (Benjamin), and 'one is no more' refers to Yosef himself, whom they had sold into slavery (Rashi on Genesis 42:13).
Q: Why do the brothers say 'one is no more' in Genesis 42:13?
A: The brothers say 'one is no more' because they believe Yosef is dead or lost forever after they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). They do not realize that the Egyptian ruler they are speaking to is actually Yosef himself. This moment is part of the divine plan to bring about repentance (teshuvah) and reconciliation (Ramban on Genesis 42:13).
Q: What is the significance of mentioning the 'land of Canaan' in Genesis 42:13?
A: The brothers mention the 'land of Canaan' to emphasize their origins and family ties. Canaan was the land promised by Hashem to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. By stating this, they highlight their identity as a family with a sacred heritage, not just random travelers (Sforno on Genesis 42:13).
Q: Why is Binyamin (the youngest) specifically mentioned in Genesis 42:13?
A: Binyamin is mentioned because he is the only remaining son of Rachel (besides Yosef) and is especially dear to Yaakov. The brothers mention him to show that they are protecting their father's feelings, as losing another son would devastate him (Rashi on Genesis 42:13). This also sets the stage for Yosef’s later test, demanding Binyamin’s presence (Genesis 42:15).
Q: How does Genesis 42:13 relate to the theme of repentance (teshuvah)?
A: This verse is part of the brothers' journey toward repentance for selling Yosef. By acknowledging their family ties and expressing concern for their father and youngest brother, they begin to show remorse. The Midrash teaches that their suffering in Egypt was a process of atonement for their earlier actions (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayigash 4).