Génesis 42:23

23 Y ellos no sabían que los entendía José, porque había intérprete entre ellos

Génesis 42:23 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:23

And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]
For what is above related they spoke in his presence and hearing; but speaking to one another in the Hebrew language, and he being an Egyptian, as they took him to be, they did not imagine that he could understand them, and therefore were not at all upon their guard in what they said: and what confirmed them in this was, for he spake unto them by an interpreter;
which he the rather chose to do, that they might have no suspicion of him; and which shows, that though there was a likeness between the Hebrew language and the Egyptian in many things, yet in some they differed, and the difference was such that there was need of an interpreter, where the parties did not understand both languages: this interpreter between Joseph and his brethren, according to the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, was Manasseh, the eldest son of Joseph, and so Jarchi; which is very improbable, he being but a child at this time, if not an infant; see ( Genesis 41:50 Genesis 41:51 ) .

Génesis 42:23 In-Context

21 Y decían el uno al otro: Verdaderamente somos culpables referente a nuestro hermano, que vimos la angustia de su alma cuando nos rogaba, y no le oímos; por eso ha venido sobre nosotros esta angustia

22 Entonces Rubén les respondió, diciendo: ¿No os hablé yo y dije: No pequéis ofensa contra el joven; y no escuchasteis? He aquí también su sangre es requerida

23 Y ellos no sabían que los entendía José, porque había intérprete entre ellos

24 Y se apartó José de ellos, y lloró; después volvió a ellos, y les habló, y tomó de entre ellos a Simeón, y le aprisionó a vista de ellos

25 Y mandó José que llenaran sus sacos de trigo, y devolvieran el dinero de cada uno de ellos, poniéndolo en su saco, y les dieran comida para el camino; y fue hecho con ellos así