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Genesis 42:32 - Missing brother, youngest remains?

Genesis 42:32 - בראשית 42:32

Hebrew Text

שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר אֲנַחְנוּ אַחִים בְּנֵי אָבִינוּ הָאֶחָד אֵינֶנּוּ וְהַקָּטֹן הַיּוֹם אֶת־אָבִינוּ בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן׃

English Translation

We are twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Kena῾an.

Transliteration

Shneim-asar anachnu achim bnei avinu ha'echad einenu vehakatan hayom et-avinu be'eretz kena'an.

Hebrew Leining Text

שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֲנַ֛חְנוּ אַחִ֖ים בְּנֵ֣י אָבִ֑ינוּ הָאֶחָ֣ד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־אָבִ֖ינוּ בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃
שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר אֲנַ֛חְנוּ אַחִ֖ים בְּנֵ֣י אָבִ֑ינוּ הָאֶחָ֣ד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־אָבִ֖ינוּ בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 42:13) is spoken by Yosef's brothers when they stand before him in Egypt, unaware of his true identity. They present themselves as twelve brothers, with one missing (Yosef, whom they had sold into slavery) and the youngest (Binyamin) remaining with their father Yaakov in Canaan.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the brothers' statement "one is no more" (הָאֶחָד אֵינֶנּוּ) is intentionally vague. They did not admit to selling Yosef, but rather implied he had perished, either through wild animals (as they had previously led Yaakov to believe) or some other means. This reflects their discomfort with their past actions and their attempt to conceal their guilt.

Midrashic Insights

  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayigash 8): The brothers' words were prophetic—they said "one is no more," not realizing that Yosef was standing before them. This demonstrates how Divine Providence orchestrated events to bring about their confrontation with Yosef.
  • Midrash Rabbah (Bereshit 91:7): The phrase "the youngest is this day with our father" highlights Binyamin's special status as the only remaining son of Rachel, causing Yaakov to be particularly protective of him.

Rambam's Perspective

In Moreh Nevuchim (3:36), Rambam discusses how this episode illustrates the concept of hashgacha pratit (Divine Providence). The brothers' actions led to Yosef's rise to power in Egypt, which ultimately saved their family during the famine—showing how Hashem guides events for the ultimate good.

Chassidic Interpretation

The Kedushat Levi (R' Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev) teaches that the brothers' statement reflects their spiritual state: they recognized their unity as twelve tribes ("twelve brethren"), but felt incomplete ("one is no more") due to their past sin. Their journey to Egypt symbolizes the soul's quest for teshuvah (repentance) and reconciliation.

📚 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, highlighting the theme of brotherhood and divine providence.
📖 Sanhedrin 102a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the brothers' statement to Joseph, examining the ethical and narrative implications of their words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the 'twelve brethren' mentioned in Genesis 42:32?
A: The 'twelve brethren' refer to the twelve sons of Yaakov (Jacob), who became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. In this verse, the brothers are speaking to Yosef (Joseph), though they don't yet recognize him, and are referring to themselves along with Binyamin (Benjamin) and the missing Yosef.
Q: Why do the brothers say 'one is no more' in Genesis 42:32?
A: The brothers say 'one is no more' because they believe Yosef is dead after they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). They do not know that Yosef is actually the Egyptian official standing before them. Rashi explains that they were hinting at their guilt over what happened to Yosef.
Q: Who is the 'youngest' brother mentioned in Genesis 42:32?
A: The 'youngest' brother is Binyamin (Benjamin), Yaakov's youngest son and the only other child of Rachel besides Yosef. The brothers mention him to explain why they didn't bring him to Egypt initially—because their father Yaakov was deeply protective of him after losing Yosef.
Q: Why is the land called 'Kena῾an' (Canaan) in this verse?
A: The land is called Kena῾an because that was its name before it became Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). The brothers are identifying where their father Yaakov lives, emphasizing their family's origin. Ramban explains that this name was still commonly used until the Israelites fully settled the land.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the brothers' statement in Genesis 42:32?
A: This verse teaches about the consequences of sin and the weight of guilt. The brothers unknowingly confess their past wrongdoing to Yosef himself. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:7) highlights how Hashem orchestrates events so that people confront their mistakes, leading to teshuvah (repentance).