Genesis 42:31

31 And we said unto him, `We are true men; we are no spies.

Genesis 42:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:31

And we said unto him, we [are] true [men]
Honest, upright men, not given to treacherous and treasonable practices, either in the country where they lived, or any other; they came to Egypt with no ill design upon the country, only to buy corn for the relief of their families in necessity: we are no spies;
or never were ^F5: they had never been guilty of such practices, and never charged with anything of that kind; they denied the charge, and detested the character.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (wnyyh al) "non fuimus", Montanus; "nunquam fuimus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Genesis 42:31 In-Context

29 And they came unto Jacob their father, unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell them, saying,

30 "The man who is the lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

31 And we said unto him, `We are true men; we are no spies.

32 We are twelve brethren, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.'

33 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, `Hereby shall I know that ye are true men: Leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone;