Genesis 43:12

12 "Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand ¹the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake.

Genesis 43:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 43:12

And take double money in your hand
Than what they carried before, either to buy as much more as they then did; or rather because of the greater scarcity of corn, as Jarchi observes, which made it doubly dearer; for this seems to be different from the money they are also bid to take in return for that found in their sacks, which was a third parcel, as follows: and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry
[it] again in your hand;
that it might be ready to pay upon demand, should they be charged with nonpayment for the corn they had before: peradventure it [was] an oversight;
a mistake of the governors, or of those that were under him, concerned in the sale of the corn, and receiving money for it, or of Jacob's sons; he could not tell how it was, but some way or other he supposed a mistake was made.

Genesis 43:12 In-Context

10 "For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice."

11 Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.

12 "Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake.

13 "Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man;

14 and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved."

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 42:25, 35; Genesis 43:21, 22