Genesis 42:19

19 If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison-house; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses.

Genesis 42:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:19

If ye [be] true [men]
As you say you are: let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison;
agree among yourselves which of you (for one of you must) remain in prison where you are: and the rest being set at liberty, go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses;
Joseph, though he dealt with them after this manner to get what knowledge he could of his family, and to get sight of his brother, yet was concerned for the good of them and theirs, lest they should be in extreme want through the famine, and that they might have a speedy supply of corn, was not willing to detain them any longer.

Genesis 42:19 In-Context

17 He put them all together into custody three days.
18 Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this, and live, for I fear God.
19 If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison-house; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses.
20 Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won't die." They did so.
21 They said one to another, "We are most assuredly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn't listen. Therefore this distress has come on us."
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