Genesis 43:18

18 As they were being brought to the house, they were afraid and thought, "We are being brought here because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time. They will suddenly attack us, take our donkeys, and make us his slaves."

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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Genesis 43:18 In-Context

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant in charge of his house, "Take these men to my house. They are going to eat with me at noon, so kill an animal and prepare it."

17 The servant did as he was commanded and took the brothers to Joseph's house.

18 As they were being brought to the house, they were afraid and thought, "We are being brought here because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time. They will suddenly attack us, take our donkeys, and make us his slaves."

19 So at the door of the house, they said to the servant in charge,

20 "If you please, sir, we came here once before to buy food.