Genesis 42:31

31 We told him, ‘We're honest men, not spies.

Genesis 42:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:31

And we said unto him, we [are] true [men]
Honest, upright men, not given to treacherous and treasonable practices, either in the country where they lived, or any other; they came to Egypt with no ill design upon the country, only to buy corn for the relief of their families in necessity: we are no spies;
or never were ^F5: they had never been guilty of such practices, and never charged with anything of that kind; they denied the charge, and detested the character.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (wnyyh al) "non fuimus", Montanus; "nunquam fuimus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Genesis 42:31 In-Context

29 When they got back to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they described to him everything that had happened to them:

30 "The man, the country's governor, spoke to us with a harsh tone and accused us of being spies in the country.

31 We told him, ‘We're honest men, not spies.

32 We are twelve brothers, all our father's sons. One of us is gone, but the youngest is right now with our father in the land of Canaan.'

33 The man, the country's governor, told us, ‘This is how I will know you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for those in your households who are hungry, and go.