Genesis 43:28

28 And they said, Thy servant our father is well; he is yet alive. And they bowed, and made obeisance.

Genesis 43:28 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:28

And they answered, thy servant our father [is] in good
health, he [is] yet alive
Which is an answer to both his questions; and by calling their father Joseph's servant, he did obeisance to him in them, as well as by sending a present to him, which they delivered as coming from him his servant; and it is not improbable that Jacob sent his salutation to him as his servant, and so that part of the dream of Joseph's was also fulfilled, which represented the sun doing obeisance to him, ( Genesis 37:9 Genesis 37:10 ) : and they bowed their heads, and made obeisance;
a second time, as they did, no doubt, at every time they gave answer to Joseph's questions; and this is again observed, to show the full completion of the above dream.

Genesis 43:28 In-Context

26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the gift that was in their hand, into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
27 And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well -- the old man of whom ye spoke? Is he yet alive?
28 And they said, Thy servant our father is well; he is yet alive. And they bowed, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother of whom ye spoke to me? And he said, God be gracious to thee, my son!
30 And Joseph made haste, for his bowels burned for his brother; and he sought [a place] to weep, and he went into the chamber, and wept there.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.