Genesis 42:34

34 Bring your youngest brother back to me, proving that you're honest men and not spies. And then I'll give your brother back to you and you'll be free to come and go in this country.'"

Genesis 42:34 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:34

And, bring your youngest brother unto me
Their brother Benjamin: then shall I know that you [are] no spies, but [that] you [are] true
[men];
he knew they were no spies now, but true, honest, upright men, with respect to any designs upon the country; but then he should own and acknowledge them to be such, having such plain proof that what they said was true: [so] will I deliver your brother;
their brother Simeon, who was left bound; though this circumstance they also here studiously conceal from their father: and ye shall traffic in the land;
not only for corn, but for any other commodity Egypt furnished its neighbours with.

Genesis 42:34 In-Context

32 There were twelve of us brothers, sons of one father; one is gone and the youngest is with our father in Canaan.'
33 "But the master of the country said, 'Leave one of your brothers with me, take food for your starving families, and go.
34 Bring your youngest brother back to me, proving that you're honest men and not spies. And then I'll give your brother back to you and you'll be free to come and go in this country.'"
35 As they were emptying their food sacks, each man came on his purse of money. On seeing their money, they and their father were upset.
36 Their father said to them, "You're taking everything I've got! Joseph's gone, Simeon's gone, and now you want to take Benjamin. If you have your way, I'll be left with nothing."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.