Genesis 42:14

14 Yosef said to them, "It is like I told you, saying, 'You are spies.'

Genesis 42:14 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:14

And Joseph said unto them, that [is it] that I spake unto
you, saying, ye [are] spies.
] This proves it, at least gives strong suspicion of it; since at first they seemed to speak of themselves, as if they were the only sons of one man and there were no more, now they speak of twelve, and make mention of one being at home with his father; but seeing he sent so many of them, why not all? why should one only be left at home?

Genesis 42:14 In-Context

12 He said to them, "No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land."

13 They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kana`an; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more."

14 Yosef said to them, "It is like I told you, saying, 'You are spies.'

15 Hereby you shall be tested. By the life of Par`oh you shall not go forth from here, unless your youngest brother come here.

16 Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Par`oh surely you are spies."