Genesis 43:18

18 And the men were afraid when they were brought into the house of Joseph. And they said "We were brought [here] on account of the money that was returned to our sacks the first time, that he might attack us and fall upon us to take us as slaves with our donkeys."

Genesis 43:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:18

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into
Joseph's house
It not being usual, as Jarchi observes, for those that came to buy corn to lodge there, but at an inn in the city: and they said, because of the money that was returned in our sacks at
the first time are we brought in;
to examine and inquire of them how they came to go away without paying for their corn, take up their money again after they had laid it down, and take it away with them, and so were guilty of tricking and defrauding, if not of theft: that he may seek occasion against us:
or "roll on us" ^F26; cast all the shame on them, and leave the reproach and scandal of it on them: and fall upon us;
with hard words, and severe menaces, if not with blows: and take us for bondmen, and our asses;
imprison them, which was the punishment for fraud and theft, and take their asses as a forfeiture.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F26 (wnyle llnthl) "ut devolvat (hoc) in nos", Tigurine version.

Genesis 43:18 In-Context

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them he said to the one who [was] over his household, "Bring the men into the house and slaughter and prepare [an animal], 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 the house of Joseph.

18 And the men were afraid when they were brought into the house of Joseph. And they said "We were brought [here] on account of the money that was returned to our sacks the first time, that he might attack us and fall upon us to take us as slaves with our donkeys."

19 So they approached the man who [was] over Joseph's house and spoke to him at the doorway of the house.

20 And they said, "Please, my lord, we surely came down once before to buy food,