Definition: And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved [of my children]: Joseph [is] not, and Simeon [is] not, and ye will take Benjamin [away]: all these things are against me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 42:36. It’s a really important part of the story of Jacob and his family, and it’s packed with meaning! Here's what it says in simpler terms: “And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved [of my children]: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and you will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.” Let’s unpack that: “Jacob their father…” – This tells us we're talking about Jacob, the patriarch of this family. He was a very important man. “…said unto them…” - He was speaking directly to his children (Jacob’s sons). “Me have ye bereaved [of my children]…” - This is a very dramatic way of saying “I am sad/concerned about my children.” It's like he's saying, "Something terrible has happened to my family." “…Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and you will take Benjamin away…” – This lists the specific children who are affected by this loss. It’s pointing to Joseph, Simeon, and specifically Benjamin . “all these things are against me.” - This is the key part of the verse. He's saying that he (Jacob) feels incredibly upset and burdened by this situation. It implies he’s feeling responsible for something terrible happening to his family. What’s the big takeaway? This verse sets the stage for a huge, dramatic shift in events. Jacob is experiencing deep grief and worry because of a tragedy – the loss of Joseph, Simeon, and Benjamin. It's a moment of intense emotional turmoil and a turning point in the story. In essence, it’s a statement of profound sadness and a sense of blame from Jacob. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant? Give you more context about Joseph's role in the story? Discuss what this verse might suggest about Jacob’s character or his relationship with his family?