Genesis 42:34

34 But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

Genesis 42:34 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:34

And, bring your youngest brother unto me
Their brother Benjamin: then shall I know that you [are] no spies, but [that] you [are] true
[men];
he knew they were no spies now, but true, honest, upright men, with respect to any designs upon the country; but then he should own and acknowledge them to be such, having such plain proof that what they said was true: [so] will I deliver your brother;
their brother Simeon, who was left bound; though this circumstance they also here studiously conceal from their father: and ye shall traffic in the land;
not only for corn, but for any other commodity Egypt furnished its neighbours with.

Genesis 42:34 In-Context

32 We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.’

33 Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.

34 But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

35 As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed.

36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”