Genesis 43:16-34

Joseph Sees Benjamin

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his 1house steward *, "Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon."
17 So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph's house.
18 Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because * of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys."
19 So they came near to Joseph's house steward * *, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house,
20 and said, "Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,
21 and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, 2each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So 3we have brought it back in our hand.
22 "We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks."
23 He said, "Be at ease, do not be afraid. 4Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then 5he brought Simeon out to them.
24 Then the man brought the men into Joseph's house and 6gave them water, and they 7washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder.
25 So they prepared 8the present for Joseph's coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.
26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and 9bowed to the ground before him.
27 Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, "10Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"
28 They said, "Your servant our father is well; he is still alive." 11They bowed down in homage.
29 As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, he said, "Is this 12your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?" And he said, "13May God be gracious to you, my son."
30 Joseph hurried out for 14he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and 15wept there.
31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he 16controlled himself and said, "Serve the meal."
32 So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is 17loathsome to the Egyptians.
33 Now they were seated before him, 18the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.
34 He took portions to them from his own table, 19but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Genesis 43:16-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 43

This chapter informs us how that the famine continued in the land of Canaan, and the corn that Jacob's family had from Egypt being consumed, Jacob pressed his sons to go down for more, which they refused to do, unless Benjamin was sent with them, for whose safety Judah offered to become a surety, Ge 43:1-10; Jacob with reluctance was prevailed upon to let him go, and dismissed them with a present to the governor of Egypt, and with double money to buy corn with, and with his blessing upon them, Ge 43:11-14; upon which they set out for Egypt; and when they came into the presence of Joseph, he seeing Benjamin with them, ordered his steward to have them to his house, and get dinner ready, it being his pleasure that they should dine with him that day, Ge 43:15-17; this threw them into a fright, supposing they were going to be called to an account for the money they found in their sacks; wherefore they related to the steward very particularly the whole of that affair, who bid them not be uneasy, for he had had their money; and as a proof that things would go well with them, brought Simeon out to them, and treated them very kindly and gently, Ge 43:18-24; and having got their present ready against Joseph came home, they delivered it to him with great veneration and submission; who asked of the welfare of their father, and whether that was not their younger brother they spoke of, the sight of whom so affected him, that he was obliged in haste to retire to his chamber, and weep, Ge 43:25-30; and having washed his face, and composed himself, he returned and ordered dinner to be brought, which was set on different tables, one for himself and the Egyptians, and the other for his brethren, whom he placed according to their age, to their great surprise; and sent them messes from his table to each, and to Benjamin five times more than the rest, and they were so liberally entertained, that they became cheerful and merry, Ge 43:31-34.

Cross References 19

  • 1. Genesis 44:1
  • 2. Genesis 42:27, 35
  • 3. Genesis 43:12, 15
  • 4. Genesis 42:28
  • 5. Genesis 42:24
  • 6. Genesis 18:4; Genesis 19:2; Genesis 24:32
  • 7. Luke 7:44; John 13:5; 1 Timothy 5:10
  • 8. Genesis 43:11, 15
  • 9. Genesis 37:7, 10
  • 10. Genesis 43:7; Genesis 45:3
  • 11. Genesis 37:7, 10
  • 12. Genesis 42:13
  • 13. Numbers 6:25; Psalms 67:1
  • 14. 1 Kings 3:26
  • 15. Genesis 42:24; Genesis 45:2, 14, 15; Genesis 46:29
  • 16. Genesis 45:1
  • 17. Genesis 46:34; Exodus 8:26
  • 18. Genesis 42:7
  • 19. Genesis 35:24; Genesis 45:22

Footnotes 13

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