Génesis 43:18-28

18 Y aquellos hombres tuvieron temor, cuando fueron metidos en casa de José, y decían: Por el dinero que fué vuelto en nuestros costales la primera vez nos han metido aquí, para revolver contra nosotros, y dar sobre nosotros, y tomarnos por siervos á nosotros, y á nuestros asnos.

19 Y llegáronse al mayordomo de la casa de José, y le hablaron á la entrada de la casa.

20 Y dijeron: Ay, señor mío, nosotros en realidad de verdad descendimos al principio á comprar alimentos:

21 Y aconteció que como vinimos al mesón y abrimos nuestros costales, he aquí el dinero de cada uno estaba en la boca de su costal, nuestro dinero en su justo peso; y hémoslo vuelto en nuestras manos.

22 Hemos también traído en nuestras manos otro dinero para comprar alimentos: nosotros no sabemos quién haya puesto nuestro dinero en nuestros costales.

23 Y él respondió: Paz á vosotros, no temáis; vuestro Dios y el Dios de vuestro padre os dió el tesoro en vuestros costales: vuestro dinero vino á mí. Y sacó á Simeón á ellos.

24 Y metió aquel varón á aquellos hombres en casa de José: y dióles agua, y lavaron sus pies: y dió de comer á sus asnos.

25 Y ellos prepararon el presente entretanto que venía José al medio día, porque habían oído que allí habían de comer pan.

26 Y vino José á casa, y ellos le trajeron el presente que tenían en su mano dentro de casa, é inclináronse á él hasta tierra.

27 Entonces les preguntó él cómo estaban, y dijo: ¿Vuestro padre, el anciano que dijisteis, lo pasa bien? ¿vive todavía?

28 Y ellos respondieron: Bien va á tu siervo nuestro padre; aun vive. Y se inclinaron, é hicieron reverencia.

Génesis 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.