Genesis 42:18

18 And he said to them on the third day, This do, and ye shall live, for I fear God.

Genesis 42:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:18

And Joseph said unto them the third day
His heart yearning towards them, though he put on such an appearance; finding they could not come to an agreement among themselves who should go on the errand, he thought fit to recede from his former order, and to give them another: this do, and live:
meaning what he was about to say to them, which if they punctually observed and performed, it would be the means of saving their lives: [for] I fear God;
and therefore would not do either an unjust or cruel thing. This might have given them an him who he was: but there being among the Gentiles, in all nations, some few that feared God, they took no further notice of it than this, that they might expect just and equitable dealings by him; since, though he was in such an high place, he knew and owned there was one higher than he, to whom he was accountable.

Genesis 42:18 In-Context

16 Send one of you, and take your brother; and go ye to prison, till your words be clear, whether ye speak the truth or not; but, if not, by the health of Pharao, verily ye are spies.
17 And he put them in prison three days.
18 And he said to them on the third day, This do, and ye shall live, for I fear God.
19 If ye be peaceable, let one of your brethren be detained in prison; but go ye, and carry back the corn ye have purchased.
20 And bring your younger brother to me, and your words shall be believed; but, if not, ye shall die. And they did so.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.