Genesis 43

King James Version

Full text for Genesis Chapter 43

1¶ And the famine [was] sore in the land.

2And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

3And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.

4If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

5But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.

6And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye [so] ill with me, [as] to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?

7And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

8And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, [and] also our little ones.

9I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

10For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

11¶ And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

12And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight:

13Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.

15¶ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring [these] men home, and slay, and make ready; for [these] men shall dine with me at noon.

17And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.

18And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

19And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

20And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

21And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, [every] man's money [was] in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

22And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

23And he said, Peace [be] to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave [them] water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

25And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26¶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which [was] in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

27And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?

28And they answered, Thy servant our father [is] in good health, he [is] yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

29And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, [Is] this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.

30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there.

31And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.

33And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.

34And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The severe famine compels Jacob's sons to return to Egypt for more food, but the Egyptian ruler demands Benjamin accompany them. Judah persuades Jacob, offering himself as surety for Benjamin's safety, and Jacob reluctantly agrees, sending gifts and double money. Upon their arrival, Joseph sees Benjamin, is deeply moved, and hosts his brothers for a meal, showing special favor to Benjamin.

Medium Summary

As the severe famine continues, Jacob's sons exhaust their provisions from Egypt, prompting Jacob to send them back for more food. Judah insists that they cannot return without Benjamin, as the Egyptian ruler had explicitly demanded his presence. After Judah offers himself as surety for Benjamin's safe return, Jacob reluctantly agrees, instructing them to carry gifts and double money. Upon their arrival in Egypt, the brothers are brought to Joseph's house, causing them fear over the previously returned money. Joseph's steward reassures them, attributing the money to their God, and releases Simeon. Joseph, seeing Benjamin, is overcome with emotion and privately weeps before hosting a meal where he seats his brothers by age and gives Benjamin a significantly larger portion, astonishing them.

Long Summary

The land suffered a severe famine, and Jacob's family soon consumed the corn brought from Egypt, necessitating another journey for food. When Jacob commanded his sons to return, Judah reminded him that the Egyptian ruler had sworn they would not see his face again unless their youngest brother, Benjamin, accompanied them. Jacob initially resisted, lamenting their disclosure of having another brother, but Judah passionately argued that failure to go would result in the death of their entire family, offering himself as perpetual surety for Benjamin's return. Convinced by Judah's plea and the dire circumstances, Jacob instructed his sons to take a present of the land's finest produce, double money including the previously returned sum, and Benjamin. He then prayed for God Almighty's mercy upon them. Upon their arrival in Egypt, the brothers, with Benjamin, stood before Joseph. Joseph, seeing Benjamin, commanded his steward to bring them to his house for a midday meal. The brothers, however, were filled with apprehension, fearing they were being seized because of the money found in their sacks during their first journey. They approached the steward, explaining the situation and their ignorance regarding the returned money. The steward calmly reassured them, stating that their God had given them treasure and that he had indeed received their money, subsequently releasing Simeon to them. After washing their feet and preparing their gifts, Joseph arrived, and they bowed before him. Joseph inquired about their father's welfare before seeing Benjamin, his full brother, and was so deeply moved that he had to retreat to his chamber to weep. Composing himself, Joseph returned and arranged for separate meals for himself, his brothers, and the Egyptians, as eating with Hebrews was an abomination to the Egyptians. The brothers were seated in precise birth order, to their astonishment, and Joseph sent them portions, giving Benjamin a portion five times larger than any of his brothers, after which they ate and drank merrily with him.

Core Concepts

  • Famine's SeverityThe chapter opens by emphasizing the ongoing and severe famine, which forces Jacob's family into a desperate situation, compelling them to return to Egypt for sustenance.
  • Judah's SuretyJudah takes personal responsibility for Benjamin's safety, offering himself as a perpetual guarantee to his father Jacob, demonstrating a significant shift in his character and leadership among his brothers.
  • Jacob's Reluctance and BlessingJacob initially resists sending Benjamin due to his deep fear of losing another son, but ultimately relents, offering a prayer for God's mercy upon his sons.
  • Joseph's Emotional TurmoilJoseph's deep affection for Benjamin, his full brother, is evident as he is overcome with emotion upon seeing him, forcing him to retreat and weep privately.
  • Divine ProvidenceThe steward's explanation to the brothers regarding the returned money, stating "your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks," suggests a divine hand in their circumstances, easing their fears.
  • Egyptian CustomsThe distinct dining arrangements, where Egyptians would not eat with Hebrews due to it being an "abomination," highlight cultural and religious differences prevalent in that era.
  • Joseph's FavoritismJoseph demonstrates special favor towards Benjamin by giving him a portion of food five times larger than that given to any of his other brothers, subtly revealing his unique affection for his youngest sibling.