Genesis 42:32

32 (for) we be twelve brethren, engendered of one father (begotten by one father), (though) one (of us) is not alive, (and) the youngest dwelleth with the father in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 42:32 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 42:32

We [be] twelve brethren, sons of our father
All brethren by the father's side, though not by the mother's, and by one father; they had been twelve, and were so now, though they knew it not, supposing that one was dead, as is next observed: one [is] not;
is not alive, but dead; the Targum of Jonathan is,

``what is become of one we know not''
and the youngest [is] this day with our father in the land of Canaan;
see ( Genesis 42:13 ) .

Genesis 42:32 In-Context

30 The lord of the land spake hard to us, and guessed that we were spyers of the province; (The lord of the land spoke harshly to us, and said that we went there to spy out his land;)
31 to whom we answered, We be peaceable (We be honest men), neither we purpose any treasons;
32 (for) we be twelve brethren, engendered of one father (begotten by one father), (though) one (of us) is not alive, (and) the youngest dwelleth with the father in the land of Canaan.
33 And he said to us, Thus I shall prove that ye be peaceable; leave ye one brother of you with me, and take ye meats needful to your houses, and go ye, (And he said to us, I shall prove that ye be honest men in this way; leave ye one of your brothers with me, and take the food needed for your households, or for your families, and go ye home,)
34 and bring ye to me your youngest brother, that I know that ye be not spyers, and that ye may receive this brother which is holden in bonds, and that from thenceforth ye have license to buy what things ye will. (and bring ye your youngest brother here to me, so that I know that ye be not spies, and then ye can have this brother back who is held in prison, and from then on ye shall have license to buy whatever ye desire.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.