Gen 42:37-38 | TNotes | STEP | 42:37 Reuben tried to take the lead; perhaps he thought he could get back into his father’s good favor (see 35:22 ), first by rescuing Joseph from certain death (37:21-22 , 29-30 ) and now by keeping Benjamin safe.

c37:21-22►

f44:18-34►

‏ Genesis 42:37-38

42:37 ^a Reuben tried to take the lead; perhaps he thought he could get back into his father’s good favor (see 35:22 ^b), first by rescuing Joseph from certain death (37:21-22 ^c, 29-30 ^d) and now by keeping Benjamin safe.
42:38 ^e Jacob was resolute in his favoritism toward Rachel’s remaining son. Benjamin would not go to Egypt even if it meant that Leah’s son Simeon never returned. Jacob’s grief apparently weighed heavily on the brothers’ conscience (44:18-34 ^f).