Genesis 42:12

12 And he said to them, Nay, but ye are come to observe the marks of the land.

Genesis 42:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:12

And he said unto them, nay
This argument will not do, I am not to be put off with such words as these; if you can produce no better proof of your being honest men than this, or give no better account of yourselves, I must abide by it, that, to see the nakedness of the land ye are come;
this he urged in order to get a further account from them of their family and the state of it, which he was anxious to know.

Genesis 42:12 In-Context

10 But they said, Nay, Sir, we thy servants are come to buy food;

11 we are all sons of one man; we are peaceable, thy servants are not spies.

12 And he said to them, Nay, but ye are come to observe the marks of the land.

13 And they said, We thy servants are twelve brethren, in the land of Chanaan; and, behold, the youngest is with our father to-day, but the other one is not.

14 And Joseph said to them, This is it that I spoke to you, saying, ye are spies;