Definition: And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 42:22. It's a really significant and dramatic passage about Joseph. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Joseph was a trusted servant of Jacob (the patriarch of the Israelites). He was incredibly important to him, and Jacob hoped he would help him become ruler of Egypt. Jacob’s family was facing a terrible problem. They were being plagued by a powerful man named Laban who was relentlessly harassing them. Joseph saw Laban's cruelty and decided to do something drastic – he secretly raised Joseph in his own home. What happened next? Laban, realizing Joseph was a threat, sent his chief servant, Korn Faith, to "kidnap" him. He wanted to force Joseph into slavery. Joseph, using his cunning and intelligence, tricked Laban into believing that Joseph had been murdered. He orchestrated a situation where Laban thought Joseph was dead. The Verse’s Meaning - It's a Warning: “Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear?” – This is the core of the verse. Joseph didn’t tell Jacob that he should stop harassing Joseph. He was deliberately keeping it secret. "Therefore, behold, also his blood is required." - This is where it gets really powerful. Joseph understood that Laban's actions were wrong and harmful to Joseph. He knew that Laban needed to pay a price for his cruelty – and that price was Joseph’s life. In short: Joseph tricked Laban into thinking Joseph was dead, then he cleverly manipulated the situation so Laban would have to offer Joseph's life as punishment for his actions. It's a story about betrayal, manipulation, and a desperate act of protection. It highlights Joseph’s incredible intelligence and shows us that sometimes, even in difficult situations, someone has to take action to protect others. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the story in more detail? Connect this verse to other stories or themes in the Bible? Give you a different perspective on what this verse might be saying (e.g., about justice)?