Genesis 43:18

18 The brothers were afraid when they were brought to Joseph's house and thought, "We were brought here because of the money that was put in our sacks on the first trip. He wants to attack us, make us slaves, and take 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.

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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 servant in charge of his house, "Bring those men into my house. Kill an animal and prepare a meal. Those men will eat with me today at noon."

17 The servant did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph's house.

18 The brothers were afraid when they were brought to Joseph's house and thought, "We were brought here because of the money that was put in our sacks on the first trip. He wants to attack us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys."

19 So the brothers went to the servant in charge of Joseph's house and spoke to him at the door of the house.

20 They said, "Master, we came here once before to buy food.