Genesis 44:29
Context44:29 If you take 1 this one from me too and an accident happens to him, then you will bring down my gray hair 2 in tragedy 3 to the grave.’ 4
Genesis 42:38
Context42:38 But Jacob 5 replied, “My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left. 6 If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair 7 in sorrow to the grave.” 8


[44:29] 1 tn The construction uses a perfect verbal form with the vav consecutive to introduce the conditional clause and then another perfect verbal form with a vav consecutive to complete the sentence: “if you take…then you will bring down.”
[44:29] 2 sn The expression bring down my gray hair is figurative, using a part for the whole – they would put Jacob in the grave. But the gray head signifies a long life of worry and trouble. See Gen 42:38.
[44:29] 3 tn Heb “evil/calamity.” The term is different than the one used in the otherwise identical statement recorded in v. 31 (see also 42:38).
[44:29] 4 tn Heb “to Sheol,” the dwelling place of the dead.
[42:38] 5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[42:38] 6 sn The expression he alone is left meant that (so far as Jacob knew) Benjamin was the only surviving child of his mother Rachel.
[42:38] 7 sn The expression bring down my gray hair is figurative, using a part for the whole – they would put Jacob in the grave. But the gray head signifies a long life of worry and trouble.
[42:38] 8 tn Heb “to Sheol,” the dwelling place of the dead.