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Genesis 43:10
ESV If we had not delayed, we would now have returned twice.”
NIV As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice.'
NASB For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.'
CSB If we had not delayed, we could have come back twice by now."
NLT If we hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.'
KJV For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

What does Genesis 43:10 mean?

This concludes Judah's appeal to Jacob to allow him to take Benjamin to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 43:1–9). He has pledged his own life for Benjamin's safety. He knows that if they don't do as the Egyptian ruler said (Genesis 42:19–20) and bring Benjamin with them, they won't be able to buy grain. The family will starve.

Now Judah expresses the urgency of the situation. Jacob's refusal to make the decision has cost them valuable time. They could have made the trip and returned twice over since the need to buy more food first became apparent. By now, food must be critically low. Jacob's fearfulness and outrageous favoritism has put the entire family at risk. Only when faced with such a dire situation will he finally give in (Genesis 43:11–14).
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