Genesis 43:31

31 Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”

Genesis 43:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:31

And he washed his face
From the tears on it, that it might not be discerned that he had been weeping: and went out;
of his chamber into the room again, where his brethren were: and refrained himself;
from weeping, or showing any excess of passion, love, joy and said, set on bread;
gave orders to his servants to bring in dinner, and set it upon the table; bread, as before, being put for all kind of food.

Genesis 43:31 In-Context

29 When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Then he declared, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”

30 Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.

31 Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”

32 They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.

33 They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.