Genesis 42:12

12 But he said to them, "No, you have come to see the nakedness of the land!"

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 They said to him, "No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food.
11 We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants have never been spies."
12 But he said to them, "No, you have come to see the nakedness of the land!"
13 They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of a certain man in the land of Canaan; the youngest, however, is now with our father, and one is no more."
14 But Joseph said to them, "It is just as I have said to you; you are spies!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.