Genesis 42:12

12 Then Joseph said to them, "No! You have come to learn where this nation is weak!"

Genesis 42:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:12

And he said unto them, nay
This argument will not do, I am not to be put off with such words as these; if you can produce no better proof of your being honest men than this, or give no better account of yourselves, I must abide by it, that, to see the nakedness of the land ye are come;
this he urged in order to get a further account from them of their family and the state of it, which he was anxious to know.

Genesis 42:12 In-Context

10 But his brothers said to him, "No, my master. We come as your servants just to buy food.

11 We are all sons of the same father. We are honest men, not spies."

12 Then Joseph said to them, "No! You have come to learn where this nation is weak!"

13 And they said, "We are ten of twelve brothers, sons of the same father, and we live in the land of Canaan. Our youngest brother is there with our father right now, and our other brother is gone."

14 But Joseph said to them, "I can see I was right! You are spies!