Genesi 43:18-28

18 E quelli ebbero paura, perché eran menati in casa di Giuseppe, e dissero: "Siamo menati qui a motivo di quel danaro che ci fu rimesso nei sacchi la prima volta; ei vuol darci addosso, precipitarsi su noi e prenderci come schiavi, coi nostri asini".

19 E accostatisi al maestro di casa di Giuseppe, gli parlarono sulla porta della casa, e dissero:

20 "Scusa, signor mio! noi scendemmo già una prima volta a comprar dei viveri;

21 e avvenne che, quando fummo giunti al luogo dove pernottammo, aprimmo i sacchi, ed ecco il danaro di ciascun di noi era alla bocca del suo sacco: il nostro danaro del peso esatto; e noi l’abbiam riportato con noi.

22 E abbiam portato con noi dell’altro danaro per comprar de’ viveri; noi non sappiamo chi avesse messo il nostro danaro nei nostri sacchi".

23 Ed egli disse: "Datevi pace, non temete; l’Iddio vostro e l’Iddio del vostro padre ha messo un tesoro nei vostri sacchi. Io ebbi il vostro danaro". E, fatto uscire Simeone, lo condusse loro.

24 Quell’uomo li fece entrare in casa di Giuseppe; dette loro dell’acqua, ed essi si lavarono i piedi; ed egli dette del foraggio ai loro asini.

25 Ed essi prepararono il regalo, aspettando che Giuseppe venisse a mezzogiorno; perché aveano inteso che rimarrebbero quivi a mangiare.

26 E quando Giuseppe venne a casa, quelli gli porsero il dono che aveano portato seco nella casa, e s’inchinarono fino a terra davanti a lui.

27 Egli domandò loro come stessero, e disse: "Vostro padre, il vecchio di cui mi parlaste, sta egli bene? Vive egli ancora?"

28 E quelli risposero: "Il padre nostro, tuo servo, sta bene; vive ancora". E s’inchinarono, e gli fecero riverenza.

Genesi 43:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 43

This chapter informs us how that the famine continued in the land of Canaan, and the corn that Jacob's family had from Egypt being consumed, Jacob pressed his sons to go down for more, which they refused to do, unless Benjamin was sent with them, for whose safety Judah offered to become a surety, Ge 43:1-10; Jacob with reluctance was prevailed upon to let him go, and dismissed them with a present to the governor of Egypt, and with double money to buy corn with, and with his blessing upon them, Ge 43:11-14; upon which they set out for Egypt; and when they came into the presence of Joseph, he seeing Benjamin with them, ordered his steward to have them to his house, and get dinner ready, it being his pleasure that they should dine with him that day, Ge 43:15-17; this threw them into a fright, supposing they were going to be called to an account for the money they found in their sacks; wherefore they related to the steward very particularly the whole of that affair, who bid them not be uneasy, for he had had their money; and as a proof that things would go well with them, brought Simeon out to them, and treated them very kindly and gently, Ge 43:18-24; and having got their present ready against Joseph came home, they delivered it to him with great veneration and submission; who asked of the welfare of their father, and whether that was not their younger brother they spoke of, the sight of whom so affected him, that he was obliged in haste to retire to his chamber, and weep, Ge 43:25-30; and having washed his face, and composed himself, he returned and ordered dinner to be brought, which was set on different tables, one for himself and the Egyptians, and the other for his brethren, whom he placed according to their age, to their great surprise; and sent them messes from his table to each, and to Benjamin five times more than the rest, and they were so liberally entertained, that they became cheerful and merry, Ge 43:31-34.