Genesis 42:12

12 "No," he said to them, "you've come to spy out our country's weaknesses."

Genesis 42:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:12

And he said unto them, nay
This argument will not do, I am not to be put off with such words as these; if you can produce no better proof of your being honest men than this, or give no better account of yourselves, I must abide by it, that, to see the nakedness of the land ye are come;
this he urged in order to get a further account from them of their family and the state of it, which he was anxious to know.

Genesis 42:12 In-Context

10 "No, my lord,"they replied, "your servants have come to buy food.

11 We're all the sons of one man, we're upright men; your servants aren't spies."

12 "No," he said to them, "you've come to spy out our country's weaknesses."

13 They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kena'an; the youngest stayed with our father, and another one is gone."

14 "Just as I said,"replied Yosef, "you're spies!