Genesis 42:15

15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Genesis 42:15 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:15

Hereby ye shall be proved
Whether spies, or not, namely, by producing their youngest brother, said to be at home with his father: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your
youngest brother come hither:
the phrase, "by the life of Pharaoh", seems to be the form of an oath, as it was common with many nations, especially with the Scythians, who used to swear by the royal throne {a}, and the Romans, in later times, by the life, health, and genius of their emperor; and this custom of swearing by the life of their king, or by his head, continued with the Egyptians, as Aben Ezra says, unto his times; though some take this to be a wish or prayer for the life of Pharaoh, and render it, "may Pharaoh live" ^F2, or, at most, but a strong asseveration, that as dear as the life of Pharaoh was to him, so surely they should not stir from the place where they were, unless their youngest brother Benjamin was brought thither.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 Herodot. Melpomene, sive, l. 4. c. 68.
F2 (herp yx) "vivat Parhoh", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; so Ainsworth and Lightfoot.

Genesis 42:15 In-Context

13 And they said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more."

14 But Joseph said to them, "It is as I said to you, you are spies.

15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain in prison, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies."

17 And he put them all together in prison for three days.