What does Genesis 42:19 mean?
Joseph (Genesis 37:28) has revealed to his ten half-brothers that he will allow them to live if they do as he says. They still don't know him as anyone other than a harsh Egyptian official (Genesis 42:1–7). Joseph now tells them to prove their honesty by leaving just one of them behind while the rest travel back to Canaan to return with their youngest brother. If they come back with the younger brother, it proves they were honest, and they will be free.The intent here seems to be a combination of a test, a rebuke for their betrayal, and a means to bring more of the family to Egypt (Genesis 47:11–12). Still, Joseph insists the returning nine take grain with them to feed their people. Perhaps awareness that his extended family in Canaan may already be starving motivated Joseph to change his plan. Formerly, he had insisted that nine of them stay behind while one goes to fetch the youngest brother (Genesis 42:8–17). Now he reverses that and instructs most of them to leave after paying for their grain.