Genesis 42:14

14 Then Joseph said to them, "I have spoken:^[a] 'You are spies!'

Genesis 42:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:14

And Joseph said unto them, that [is it] that I spake unto
you, saying, ye [are] spies.
] This proves it, at least gives strong suspicion of it; since at first they seemed to speak of themselves, as if they were the only sons of one man and there were no more, now they speak of twelve, and make mention of one being at home with his father; but seeing he sent so many of them, why not all? why should one only be left at home?

Genesis 42:14 In-Context

12 "No," he said to them. "You have come to see the weakness of the land."

13 But they replied, "We, your servants, were 12 brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no longer living."

14 Then Joseph said to them, "I have spoken: 'You are spies!'

15 This is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

16 Send one of your number to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "That which I spoke to you saying