Genesis 42:16

16 Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Par`oh surely you are spies."

Genesis 42:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:16

Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother
He proposes that one of them might be sent by them to their father's house, and bring, Benjamin down to Egypt: and ye shall be kept in prison;
the rest of them till he came: that your words may be proved, whether [there be any] truth in you;
by this it would be seen whether they were men of truth and honesty or not; and should their brother be brought they would appear to be good men and true: or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely ye [are] spies;
should not their brother they spoke of be produced, it would be a plain case that they were not the honest men they pretended to be, nor did they come merely to buy corn, but had an ill intention.

Genesis 42:16 In-Context

14 Yosef said to them, "It is like I told you, saying, 'You are spies.'

15 Hereby you shall be tested. By the life of Par`oh you shall not go forth from here, unless your youngest brother come here.

16 Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Par`oh surely you are spies."

17 He put them all together into custody three days.

18 Yosef said to them the third day, "Do this, and live, for I fear God.