Genesis 43:18

18 Upon being ushered inside Yosef's house, the men became fearful. They said, "It's because of the money that was returned in our packs the first time that we have been brought inside - so that he can use it as an excuse to attack us, take us as slaves and seize our donkeys too."

Genesis 43:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:18

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into
Joseph's house
It not being usual, as Jarchi observes, for those that came to buy corn to lodge there, but at an inn in the city: and they said, because of the money that was returned in our sacks at
the first time are we brought in;
to examine and inquire of them how they came to go away without paying for their corn, take up their money again after they had laid it down, and take it away with them, and so were guilty of tricking and defrauding, if not of theft: that he may seek occasion against us:
or "roll on us" ^F26; cast all the shame on them, and leave the reproach and scandal of it on them: and fall upon us;
with hard words, and severe menaces, if not with blows: and take us for bondmen, and our asses;
imprison them, which was the punishment for fraud and theft, and take their asses as a forfeiture.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (wnyle llnthl) "ut devolvat (hoc) in nos", Tigurine version.

Genesis 43:18 In-Context

16 When Yosef saw Binyamin with them, he said to his household manager, "Take the men inside the house, kill the animals and prepare the meat. These men will dine with me at noon."

17 The man did as Yosef ordered and brought the men into Yosef's house.

18 Upon being ushered inside Yosef's house, the men became fearful. They said, "It's because of the money that was returned in our packs the first time that we have been brought inside - so that he can use it as an excuse to attack us, take us as slaves and seize our donkeys too."

19 So they approached the manager of Yosef's household and spoke to him at the entrance of the house:

20 "Please, my lord, the first time we indeed came down to buy food;