Genesis 42:31

31 But we told him: We are honest men and not spies.

Genesis 42:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:31

And we said unto him, we [are] true [men]
Honest, upright men, not given to treacherous and treasonable practices, either in the country where they lived, or any other; they came to Egypt with no ill design upon the country, only to buy corn for the relief of their families in necessity: we are no spies;
or never were ^F5: they had never been guilty of such practices, and never charged with anything of that kind; they denied the charge, and detested the character.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (wnyyh al) "non fuimus", Montanus; "nunquam fuimus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt.

Genesis 42:31 In-Context

29 When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them:

30 "The man who is the lord of the country spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country.

31 But we told him: We are honest men and not spies.

32 We were 12 brothers, sons of the same father. One is no longer living, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.

33 The man who is the lord of the country said to us, 'This is how I will know if you are honest men: Leave one brother with me, take [food to relieve] the hunger of your households, and go.