Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Genesis » Chapter 43 » Verse 1-34

Genesis 43:1-34 King James Version (KJV)

1 And the famine was sore in the land.

2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

5 But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.

18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

28 And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.

34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the famine H7458 was sore H3515 in the land. H776

2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up H3615 H398 the corn H7668 which they had brought out H935 of Egypt, H4714 their father H1 said H559 unto them, Go again, H7725 buy H7666 us a little H4592 food. H400

3 And Judah H3063 spake H559 unto him, saying, H559 The man H376 did solemnly H5749 protest H5749 unto us, saying, H559 Ye shall not see H7200 my face, H6440 except H1115 your brother H251 be with you.

4 If thou wilt H3426 send H7971 our brother H251 with us, we will go down H3381 and buy H7666 thee food: H400

5 But if thou wilt not send H7971 him, we will not go down: H3381 for the man H376 said H559 unto us, Ye shall not see H7200 my face, H6440 except your brother H251 be with you.

6 And Israel H3478 said, H559 Wherefore dealt ye so ill H7489 with me, as to tell H5046 the man H376 whether ye had yet a brother? H251

7 And they said, H559 The man H376 asked H7592 us straitly H7592 of our state, and of our kindred, H4138 saying, H559 Is your father H1 yet alive? H2416 have ye H3426 another brother? H251 and we told H5046 him according H5921 to the tenor H6310 of these words: H1697 could we certainly H3045 know H3045 that he would say, H559 Bring H3381 your brother H251 down? H3381

8 And Judah H3063 said H559 unto Israel H3478 his father, H1 Send H7971 the lad H5288 with me, and we will arise H6965 and go; H3212 that we may live, H2421 and not die, H4191 both we, and thou, and also our little ones. H2945

9 I will be surety H6148 for him; of my hand H3027 shalt thou require H1245 him: if H518 I bring H935 him not H518 unto thee, and set H3322 him before thee, H6440 then let me bear the blame H2398 for ever: H3117

10 For except H3884 we had lingered, H4102 surely now we had returned H7725 this second time. H6471

11 And their father H1 Israel H3478 said H559 unto them, If it must be so now, H645 do H6213 this; take H3947 of the best fruits H2173 in the land H776 in your vessels, H3627 and carry down H3381 the man H376 a present, H4503 a little H4592 balm, H6875 and a little H4592 honey, H1706 spices, H5219 and myrrh, H3910 nuts, H992 and almonds: H8247

12 And take H3947 double H4932 money H3701 in your hand; H3027 and the money H3701 that was brought again H7725 in the mouth H6310 of your sacks, H572 carry it again H7725 in your hand; H3027 peradventure it was an oversight: H4870

13 Take H3947 also your brother, H251 and arise, H6965 go again H7725 unto the man: H376

14 And God H410 Almighty H7706 give H5414 you mercy H7356 before H6440 the man, H376 that he may send away H7971 your other H312 brother, H251 and Benjamin. H1144 If H834 I be bereaved H7921 of my children, I am bereaved. H7921

15 And the men H582 took H3947 that H2063 present, H4503 and they took H3947 double H4932 money H3701 in their hand, H3027 and Benjamin; H1144 and rose up, H6965 and went down H3381 to Egypt, H4714 and stood H5975 before H6440 Joseph. H3130

16 And when Joseph H3130 saw H7200 Benjamin H1144 with H854 them, he said H559 to the ruler of his house, H1004 Bring H935 these men H582 home, H1004 and slay, H2873 H2874 and make ready; H3559 for these men H582 shall dine H398 with me at noon. H6672

17 And the man H376 did H6213 as Joseph H3130 bade; H559 and the man H376 brought H935 the men H582 into Joseph's H3130 house. H1004

18 And the men H582 were afraid, H3372 because they were brought H935 into Joseph's H3130 house; H1004 and they said, H559 Because H1697 of the money H3701 that was returned H7725 in our sacks H572 at the first time H8462 are we brought in; H935 that he may seek occasion H1556 against us, and fall H5307 upon us, and take H3947 us for bondmen, H5650 and our asses. H2543

19 And they came near H5066 to the steward H376 of Joseph's H3130 house, H1004 and they communed H1696 with him at the door H6607 of the house, H1004

20 And said, H559 O H994 sir, H113 we came indeed H3381 down H3381 at the first time H8462 to buy H7666 food: H400

21 And it came to pass, when we came H935 to the inn, H4411 that we opened H6605 our sacks, H572 and, behold, every man's H376 money H3701 was in the mouth H6310 of his sack, H572 our money H3701 in full weight: H4948 and we have brought it again H7725 in our hand. H3027

22 And other H312 money H3701 have we brought down H3381 in our hands H3027 to buy H7666 food: H400 we cannot tell H3045 who put H7760 our money H3701 in our sacks. H572

23 And he said, H559 Peace H7965 be to you, fear H3372 not: your God, H430 and the God H430 of your father, H1 hath given H5414 you treasure H4301 in your sacks: H572 I had H935 your money. H3701 And he brought H3318 Simeon H8095 out unto them.

24 And the man H376 brought H935 the men H582 into Joseph's H3130 house, H1004 and gave H5414 them water, H4325 and they washed H7364 their feet; H7272 and he gave H5414 their asses H2543 provender. H4554

25 And they made ready H3559 the present H4503 against H5704 Joseph H3130 came H935 at noon: H6672 for they heard H8085 that they should eat H398 bread H3899 there.

26 And when Joseph H3130 came H935 home, H1004 they brought H935 him the present H4503 which was in their hand H3027 into the house, H1004 and bowed H7812 themselves to him to the earth. H776

27 And he asked H7592 them of their welfare, H7965 and said, H559 Is your father H1 well, H7965 the old man H2205 of whom ye spake? H559 Is he yet alive? H2416

28 And they answered, H559 Thy servant H5650 our father H1 is in good health, H7965 he is yet alive. H2416 And they bowed down their heads, H6915 and made obeisance. H7812

29 And he lifted up H5375 his eyes, H5869 and saw H7200 his brother H251 Benjamin, H1144 his mother's H517 son, H1121 and said, H559 Is this your younger H6996 brother, H251 of whom ye spake H559 unto me? And he said, H559 God H430 be gracious H2603 unto thee, my son. H1121

30 And Joseph H3130 made haste; H4116 for his bowels H7356 did yearn H3648 upon his brother: H251 and he sought H1245 where to weep; H1058 and he entered H935 into his chamber, H2315 and wept H1058 there.

31 And he washed H7364 his face, H6440 and went out, H3318 and refrained H662 himself, and said, H559 Set on H7760 bread. H3899

32 And they set on H7760 for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, H4713 which did eat H398 with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians H4713 might H3201 not eat H398 bread H3899 with the Hebrews; H5680 for that is an abomination H8441 unto the Egyptians. H4714

33 And they sat H3427 before him, H6440 the firstborn H1060 according to his birthright, H1062 and the youngest H6810 according to his youth: H6812 and the men H582 marvelled H8539 one H376 at another. H7453

34 And he took H5375 and sent messes H4864 unto them from before him: H6440 but Benjamin's H1144 mess H4864 was five H2568 times H3027 so much as H7235 any of theirs. And they drank, H8354 and were merry H7937 with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 American Standard (ASV)

1 And the famine was sore in the land.

2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

5 but if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down; for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

7 And they said, The man asked straitly concerning ourselves, and concerning our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye `another' brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we in any wise know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

10 for except we had lingered, surely we had now returned a second time.

11 And their father Israel said unto them, If it be so now, do this: take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;

12 and take double money in your hand; and the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks carry again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

13 take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

14 and God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release unto you your other brother and Benjamin. And if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon.

17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men to Joseph's house.

18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they spake unto him at the door of the house,

20 and said, Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

21 and it came to pass, when we came to the lodging-place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

22 And other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food: we know not who put our money in our sacks.

23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. And he gave their asses provender.

25 And they made ready the present against Joseph's coming at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down themselves to him to the earth.

27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?

28 And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.

29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and said, Is this your youngest brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

30 And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

31 And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, that did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33 And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one with another.

34 And he took `and sent' messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And the famine `is' severe in the land;

2 and it cometh to pass, when they have finished eating the corn which they brought from Egypt, that their father saith unto them, `Turn back, buy for us a little food.'

3 And Judah speaketh unto him, saying, `The man protesting protested to us, saying, Ye do not see my face without your brother `being' with you;

4 if thou art sending our brother with us, we go down, and buy for thee food,

5 and if thou art not sending -- we do not go down, for the man said unto us, Ye do not see my face without your brother `being' with you.'

6 And Israel saith, `Why did ye evil to me, by declaring to the man that ye had yet a brother?'

7 and they say, `The man asked diligently concerning us, and concerning our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye a brother? and we declare to him according to the tenor of these things; do we certainly know that he will say, Bring down your brother?'

8 And Judah saith unto Israel his father, `Send the youth with me, and we arise, and go, and live, and do not die, both we, and thou, and our infants.

9 I -- I am surety `for' him, from my hand thou dost require him; if I have not brought him in unto thee, and set him before thee -- then I have sinned against thee all the days;

10 for if we had not lingered, surely now we had returned these two times.'

11 And Israel their father saith unto them, `If so, now, this do: take of the praised thing of the land in your vessels, and take down to the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds;

12 and double money take in your hand, even the money which is brought back in the mouth of your bags, ye take back in your hand, it may be it `is' an oversight.

13 `And take your brother, and rise, turn back unto the man;

14 and God Almighty give to you mercies before the man, so that he hath sent to you your other brother and Benjamin; and I, when I am bereaved -- I am bereaved.'

15 And the men take this present, double money also they have taken in their hand, and Benjamin; and they rise, and go down to Egypt, and stand before Joseph;

16 and Joseph seeth Benjamin with them, and saith to him who `is' over his house, `Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal, and make ready, for with me do the men eat at noon.'

17 And the man doth as Joseph hath said, and the man bringeth in the men into the house of Joseph,

18 and the men are afraid because they have been brought into the house of Joseph, and they say, `For the matter of the money which was put back in our bags at the commencement are we brought in -- to roll himself upon us, and to throw himself on us, and to take us for servants -- our asses also.'

19 And they come nigh unto the man who `is' over the house of Joseph, and speak unto him at the opening of the house,

20 and say, `O, my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food;

21 and it cometh to pass, when we have come in unto the lodging-place, and open our bags, that lo, each one's money `is' in the mouth of his bag, our money in its weight, and we bring it back in our hand;

22 and other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food; we have not known who put our money in our bags.'

23 And he saith, `Peace to you, fear not: your God and the God of your father hath given to you hidden treasure in your bags, your money came unto me;' and he bringeth out Simeon unto them.

24 And the man bringeth in the men into Joseph's house, and giveth water, and they wash their feet; and he giveth provender for their asses,

25 and they prepare the present until the coming of Joseph at noon, for they have heard that there they do eat bread.

26 And Joseph cometh into the house, and they bring to him the present which `is' in their hand, into the house, and bow themselves to him, to the earth;

27 and he asketh of them of peace, and saith, `Is your father well? the aged man of whom ye have spoken, is he yet alive?'

28 and they say, `Thy servant our father `is' well, he is yet alive;' and they bow, and do obeisance.

29 And he lifteth up his eyes, and seeth Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and saith, `Is this your young brother, of whom ye have spoken unto me?' and he saith, `God favour thee, my son.'

30 And Joseph hasteth, for his bowels have been moved for his brother, and he seeketh to weep, and entereth the inner chamber, and weepeth there;

31 and he washeth his face, and goeth out, and refraineth himself, and saith, `Place bread.'

32 And they place for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who are eating with him by themselves: for the Egyptians are unable to eat bread with the Hebrews, for it `is' an abomination to the Egyptians.

33 And they sit before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the young one according to his youth, and the men wonder one at another;

34 and he lifteth up gifts from before him unto them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, yea, they drink abundantly with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And the famine was grievous in the land.

2 And it came to pass, when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, Go again, buy us a little food.

3 And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man did positively testify to us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, unless your brother be with you.

4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food;

5 but if thou do not send [him], we will not go down, for the man said to us, Ye shall not see my face, unless your brother be with you.

6 And Israel said, Why did ye deal [so] ill with me [as] to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

7 And they said, The man asked very closely after us, and after our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye a brother? And we told him according to the tenor of these words. Could we at all know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

8 And Judah said to Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live, and not die, both we and thou and our little ones.

9 I will be surety for him: of my hand shalt thou require him; if I bring him not to thee, and set him before thy face, then shall I be guilty toward thee for ever.

10 For had we not lingered, we should now certainly have returned already twice.

11 And their father Israel said to them, If it is then so, do this: take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a gift: a little balsam and a little honey, tragacanth and ladanum, pistacia-nuts and almonds.

12 And take other money in your hand, and the money that was returned to you in the mouth of your sacks, carry back in your hand: perhaps it is an oversight.

13 And take your brother, and arise, go again to the man.

14 And the Almighty ùGod give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin! And I, if I be bereaved of children, am bereaved.

15 And the men took that gift, and took double money in their hand, and Benjamin, and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and came before Joseph.

16 And Joseph saw Benjamin with them, and said to the [man] who was over his house, Bring the men into the house, and slaughter cattle, and make ready; for the men shall eat with me at noon.

17 And the man did as Joseph had said; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.

18 And the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house, and said, Because of the money that was returned to us in our sacks at the beginning are we brought in, that he may turn against us, and fall upon us and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

19 And they came up to the man that was over Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,

20 and said, Ah! my lord, we came indeed down at the first to buy food.

21 And it came to pass when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, [every] man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money according to its weight; and we have brought it again in our hand.

22 And other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.

23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; your money came to me. And he brought Simeon out to them.

24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses food.

25 And they made ready the gift for Joseph's coming at noon; for they had heard that they should eat bread there.

26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the gift that was in their hand, into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well -- the old man of whom ye spoke? Is he yet alive?

28 And they said, Thy servant our father is well; he is yet alive. And they bowed, and made obeisance.

29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother of whom ye spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to thee, my son!

30 And Joseph made haste, for his bowels burned for his brother; and he sought [a place] to weep, and he went into the chamber, and wept there.

31 And he washed his face, and came out, and controlled himself, and said, Set on bread.

32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marvelled one at another.

34 And he had portions carried to them from before him. And Benjamin's portion was five times greater than the portions of them all. And they drank, and made merry with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 World English Bible (WEB)

1 The famine was severe in the land.

2 It happened, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, "Go again, buy us a little more food."

3 Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.'

4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food,

5 but if you will not send him, we will not go down, for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.'"

6 Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?"

7 They said, "The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'"

8 Judah said to Israel, his father, "Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones.

9 I will be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don't bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever,

10 for unless we had lingered, surely we would have returned a second time by now."

11 Their father, Israel, said to them, "If it be so now, do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;

12 and take double money in your hand, with the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks carry again in your hand. Perhaps it was an oversight.

13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again to the man.

14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."

15 The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and make ready; for the men will dine with me at noon."

17 The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph's house.

18 The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, "Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall on us, and take us for bondservants, along with our donkeys."

19 They came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,

20 and said, "Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

21 and it happened, when we came to the lodging-place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it again in our hand.

22 We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don't know who put our money in our sacks."

23 He said, "Peace be to you. Don't be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money." He brought Simeon out to them.

24 The man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.

25 They made ready the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down themselves to him to the earth.

27 He asked them of their welfare, and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?"

28 They said, "Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive." They bowed the head, and did homage.

29 He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?" He said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

30 Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought a place to weep; and he entered into his room, and wept there.

31 He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, "Serve the meal."

32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians, that ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians don't eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

33 They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled one with another.

34 He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.


Genesis 43:1-34 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And when the grain which they had got in Egypt was all used up, their father said to them, Go again and get us a little food.

2 And Judah said to him, The man said to us with an oath, You are not to come before me again without your brother.

3 If you will let our brother go with us, we will go down and get food:

4 But if you will not send him, we will not go down: for the man said to us, You are not to come before me if your brother is not with you.

5 And Israel said, Why were you so cruel to me as to say to him that you had a brother?

6 And they said, The man put a number of questions to us about ourselves and our family, saying, Is your father still living? have you another brother? And we had to give him answers; how were we to have any idea that he would say, Come back with your brother?

7 Then Judah said to Israel, his father, Send the boy with me, and let us be up and going, so that we and you and our little ones may not come to destruction.

8 Put him into my care and make me responsible for him: if I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin for ever.

9 Truly, if we had not let the time go by, we might have come back again by now.

10 Then their father Israel said to them, If it has to be so, then do this: take of the best fruits of the land in your vessels to give the man, perfumes and honey and spices and nuts:

11 And take twice as much money with you; that is to say, take back the money which was put in your bags, for it may have been an error;

12 And take your brother and go back to the man:

13 And may God, the Ruler of all, give you mercy before the man, so that he may give you back your other brother and Benjamin. If my children are to be taken from me; there is no help for it.

14 So they took what their father said for the man, and twice as much money in their hands, and Benjamin, and went on their journey to Egypt, and came before Joseph.

15 And when Joseph saw Benjamin, he said to his chief servant, Take these men into my house, and make ready a meal, for they will take food with me in the middle of the day.

16 And the servant did as Joseph said, and took the men into Joseph's house.

17 Now the men were full of fear because they had been taken into Joseph's house and they said, It is because of the money which was put back in our bags the first time; he is looking for something against us, so that he may come down on us and take us and our asses for his use.

18 So they went up to Joseph's chief servant at the door of the house,

19 And said, O my lord, we only came down the first time to get food;

20 And when we came to our night's resting-place, on opening our bags we saw that every man's money was in the mouth of his bag, all our money in full weight: and we have it with us to give it back;

21 As well as more money, with which to get food: we have no idea who put our money in our bags.

22 Then the servant said, Peace be with you: have no fear: your God, even the God of your father, has put wealth in your bags for you: I had your money. Then he let Simeon come out to them.

23 And the servant took them into Joseph's house, and gave them water for washing their feet; and he gave their asses food.

24 And they got ready the things for Joseph before he came in the middle of the day: for word was given to them that they were to have a meal there.

25 And when Joseph came in, they gave him the things which they had for him, and went down to the earth before him.

26 And he said, How are you? is your father well, the old man of whom you were talking to me? is he still living?

27 And they said, Your servant, our father, is well, he is still living. And they went down on their faces before him.

28 Then, lifting up his eyes, he saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother's son, and he said, Is this your youngest brother of whom you gave me word? And he said, God be good to you, my son.

29 Then Joseph's heart went out to his brother, and he went quickly into his room, for he was overcome with weeping.

30 Then, after washing his face, he came out, and controlling his feelings said, Put food before us.

31 And they put a meal ready for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who were with him by themselves; because the Egyptians may not take food with the Hebrews, for that would make them unclean.

32 And they were all given their seats before him in order of birth, from the oldest to the youngest: so that they were looking at one another in wonder.

33 And Joseph sent food to them from his table, but he sent five times as much to Benjamin as to any of the others. And they took wine freely with him.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 43

Commentary on Genesis 43 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 43

Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on, and very particularly related

  • I. Their melancholy parting with their father Jacob in Canaan (v. 1-14).
  • II. Their pleasant meeting with Joseph in Egypt (v. 15, etc.). For on this occasion nothing occurs there but what is agreeable and pleasant.

Gen 43:1-10

Here,

  • 1. Jacob urges his sons to go and buy more corn in Egypt, v. 1, 2. The famine continued; and the corn they had bought was all spent, for it is meat that perisheth. Jacob, as a good master of a family, is in care to provide for those of his own house food convenient; and shall not God provide for his children, for the household of faith? Jacob bids them go again and buy a little food; now, in time of scarcity, a little must suffice, for nature is content with a little.
  • 2. Judah urges him to consent that Benjamin should go down with them, how much soever it went against his feelings and previous determination. Note, It is not at all inconsistent with the honour and duty which children owe their parents humbly and modestly to advise them, and, as occasion is, to reason with them. Plead with your mother, plead, Hos. 2:2.
    • (1.) He insists upon the absolute necessity they were under of bringing Benjamin with them, of which he, who was a witness to all that had passed in Egypt, was a more competent judge than Jacob could be. Joseph's protestation (v. 3) may be alluded to to show upon what terms we must draw nigh to God; unless we bring Christ along with us in the arms of our faith, we cannot see the face of God with comfort.
    • (2.) He engages to take all possible care of him, and to do his utmost for his safety, v. 8, 9. Judah's conscience had lately smitten him for what he had done a great while ago against Joseph (ch. 42:21); and, as an evidence of the truth of his repentance, he is ready to undertake, as far as a man could do it, for Benjamin's security. He will not only not wrong him, but will do all he can to protect him. This is restitution, as far as the case will admit; when he knew not how he could restore Joseph, he would make some amends for the irreparable injury he had done him by doubling his care concerning Benjamin.

Gen 43:11-14

Observe here,

  • I. Jacob's persuasibleness. He would be ruled by reason, though they were his inferiors that urged it. He saw the necessity of the case; and, since there was no remedy, he consented to yield to the necessity (v. 11): "If it must be so now, take your brother. If no corn can be had but upon those terms, we may as well expose him to the perils of the journey as suffer ourselves and families, and Benjamin amongst the rest, to perish for want of bread.' Skin for skin, and all that a man has, even a Benjamin, the dearest of all, will he give for his life. No death so dreadful as that by famine, Lam. 4:9. Jacob had said (ch. 42:38), My son shall not go down; but now he is over-persuaded to consent. Note, It is no fault, but our wisdom and duty, to alter our purposes and resolutions when there is a good reason for our so doing. Constancy is a virtue, but obstinacy is not. It is God's prerogative not to repent, and to make unchangeable resolves.
  • II. Jacob's prudence and justice, which appeared in three things:-
    • 1. He sent back the money which they had found in the sacks' mouths, with this discreet construction of it, Peradventure it was an oversight. Note, Honesty obliges us to make restitution, not only of that which comes to us by our own fault, but of that which comes to us by the mistakes of others. Though we get it by oversight, if we keep it when the oversight is discovered, it is kept by deceit. In the stating of accounts, errors must be excepted, even those that make for us as well as those that make against us. Jacob's words furnish us with a favourable construction to put upon that which we are tempted to resent as an injury and affront; pass it by, and say, Peradventure it was an oversight.
    • 2. He sent double money, as much again as they took the time before, upon supposition that the price of corn might have risen,-or to show a generous spirit, that they might be the more likely to find generous treatment with the man, the lord of the land.
    • 3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt-balm and honey, etc. (v. 11), the commodities that Canaan exported, ch. 37:25. Note,
      • (1.) Providence dispenses its gifts variously. Some countries produce one commodity, others another, that commerce may be preserved.
      • (2.) Honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, and yet they had balm and myrrh, etc. We may live well enough upon plain food without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that that which is most needful and useful is generally most cheap and common.
      • (3.) A gift in secret pacifies wrath, Prov. 21:14. Jacob's sons were unjustly accused as spies, yet Jacob was willing to be at the expense of a present, to pacify the accuser. Sometimes we must not think it too much to buy peace even where we may justly demand it, and insist upon it as our right.
  • III. Jacob's piety appearing in his prayer: God Almighty give you mercy before the man! v. 14. Jacob had formerly turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer; and here he betakes himself to the same tried method, and it sped well. Note, Those that would find mercy with men must seek it of God, who has all hearts in his hands, and turns them as he pleases.
  • IV. Jacob's patience. He concludes all with this: "If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved; If I must part with them thus one after another, I must acquiesce, and say, The will of the Lord be done.' Note, It is our wisdom to reconcile ourselves to the sorest afflictions, and make the best of them; for there is nothing got by striving with our Maker, 2 Sa. 15:25, 26.

Gen 43:15-25

Jacob's sons, having got leave to take Benjamin with them, were observant of the orders their father had given them, and went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food as they did for corporal food. Now here we have an account of what passed between them and Joseph's steward, who, some conjecture, was in the secret, and knew them to be Joseph's brethren, and helped to humour the thing; I rather think not, because no man was permitted to be present when Joseph afterwards made himself known to them, ch. 45:1. Observe,

  • 1. Joseph's steward has orders from his master (who was busy selling corn, and receiving money) to take them to his house, and make ready for their entertainment. Though Joseph saw Benjamin there, he would not leave his work at working-time, nor trust another with it. Note, Business must take place of civility in its season. Our needful employments must not be neglected, no, not to pay respect to our friends.
  • 2. Even this frightened them: They were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house, v. 18. The just challenges of their own consciences, and Joseph's violent suspicions of them, forbade them to expect any favour, and suggested to them that this was done with a bad design upon them. Note, Those that are guilty and timorous are apt to make the worst of every thing. Now they thought they should be reckoned with about the money in the sacks' mouths, and should be charged as cheats, and men not fit to be dealt with, who had taken advantage of the hurry of the market to carry off their corn unpaid for. They therefore laid the case before the steward, that he, being apprized of it, might stand between them and danger; and, as a substantial proof of their honesty, before they were charged with taking back their money they produced it. Note, Integrity and uprightness will preserve us, and will clear themselves as the light of the morning.
  • 3. The steward encouraged them (v. 23): Peace be to you, fear not; though he knew not what his master drove at, yet he was aware these were men whom he meant no harm to, while he thus amused them; and therefore he directs them to look at the divine Providence in the return of their money: Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. Observe,
    • (1.) Hereby he shows that he had no suspicion at all of dishonesty in them: for of what we get by deceit we cannot say, "God gives it to us.'
    • (2.) Hereby he silences their further enquiry about it. "Ask not how it came thither; Providence brought it to you, and let that satisfy you.'
    • (3.) It appears by what he said that, by his good master's instructions, he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. It may justly be expected that those who are servants in religious families should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence with reverence and seriousness.
    • (4.) He directs them to look up to God, and acknowledge his providence in the good bargain they had. We must own ourselves indebted to God, as our God and the God of our fathers (a God in covenant with us and them) for all our successes and advantages, and the kindnesses of our friends; for every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be. The steward encouraged them, not only in words but in deeds; for he made very much of them till his master came, v. 24.

Gen 43:26-34

Here is,

  • I. The great respect that Joseph's brethren paid to him. When they brought him the present, they bowed themselves before him (v. 26); and again, when they gave him an account of their father's health, they made obeisance, and called him, Thy servant our father, v. 28. Thus were Joseph's dreams fulfilled more and more: and even the father, by the sons, bowed before him, according to the dream, ch. 37:10. Probably Jacob had directed them, if they had occasion to speak of him to the man, the lord of the land, to call him his servant.
  • II. The great kindness that Joseph showed to them, while they little thought it was a brotherly kindness. Here is,
    • 1. His kind enquiry concerning Jacob: Is he yet alive?-a very fit question to be asked concerning any, especially concerning old people; for we are dying daily: it is strange that we are yet alive. Jacob had said many years before, I will go to the grave to my son; but he is yet alive: we must not die when we will.
    • 2. The kind notice he took of Benjamin, his own brother.
      • (1.) He put up a prayer for him: God be gracious unto thee, my son, v. 29. Joseph's favour, though he was the lord of the land, would do him little good, unless God were gracious to him. Many seek the ruler's favour, but Joseph directs him to seek the favour of the ruler of rulers.
      • (2.) He shed some tears for him, v. 30. His natural affection to his brother, his joy to see him, his concern at seeing him and the rest of them in distress for bread, and the remembrance of his own griefs since he last saw him, produced a great agitation in him, which perhaps was the more uneasy because he endeavoured to stifle and suppress it; but he was forced to retire into his closet, there to give vent to his feeling by tears. Note,
        • [1.] Tears of tenderness and affection are no disparagement at all, even to great and wise men.
        • [2.] Gracious weepers should not proclaim their tears. My soul shall weep in secret, says the prophet, Jer. 13:17. Peter went out and wept bitterly. See Mt. 26:75.
    • 3. His kind entertainment of them all. When his weeping had subsided so that he could refrain himself, he sat down to dinner with them, treated them nobly, and yet contrived every thing to amuse them.
      • (1.) He ordered three tables to be spread, one for his brethren, another for the Egyptians that dined with him (for so different were their customs that they did not care to eat together), another for himself, who durst not own himself a Hebrew, and yet would not sit with the Egyptians. See here an instance,
        • [1.] Of hospitality and good house-keeping, which are very commendable, according as the ability is.
        • [2.] Of compliance with people's humours, even whimsical ones, as bishop Patrick calls this of the Egyptians not eating with the Hebrews. Though Joseph was the lord of the land, and orders were given that all people should obey him, yet he would not force the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, against their minds, but let them enjoy their humours. Spirits truly generous hate to impose.
        • [3.] Of the early distance between Jews and Gentiles; one table would not hold them.
      • (2.) He placed his brethren according to their seniority (v. 33), as if he could certainly divine. Some think they placed themselves so, according to their custom; but, if so, I see not why such particular notice is taken of it, especially as a thing they marvelled at.
      • (3.) He gave them a very plentiful entertainment, sent messes to them from his own table, v. 34. This was the more generous in him, and the more obliging to them, because of the present scarcity of provisions. In a day of famine, it is enough to be fed; but here they were feasted. Perhaps they had not had such a good dinner for many months. It is said, They drank and were merry; their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, concluding they were now upon good terms with the man, the lord of the land. If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be cheerful. Yet when we sit, as they here did, to eat with a ruler, we should consider what is before us, and not indulge our appetite, nor be desirous of dainties, Prov. 23:1-3. Joseph gave them to understand that Benjamin was his favourite; for his mess was five times as much as any of theirs, not as if he would have him eat so much more than the rest, for then he must eat more than would do him good (and it is no act of friendship, but rather an injury and unkindness, to press any either to eat or drink to excess), but thus he would testify his particular respect for him, that he might try whether his brethren would envy Benjamin his larger messes, as formerly they had envied himself his finer coat. And it must be our rule, in such cases, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have.