Genesis 42:31

31 "We are not spies,' we answered, "we are honest men.

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 came to their father Jacob in Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them:

30 "The governor of Egypt spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying against his country.

31 "We are not spies,' we answered, "we are honest men.

32 We were twelve brothers in all, sons of the same father. One brother is dead, and the youngest is still in Canaan with our father.'

33 The man answered, "This is how I will find out if you are honest men: One of you will stay with me; the rest will take grain for your starving families and leave.