What does Genesis 43:16 mean?
Ten of Joseph's eleven brothers arrive from Canaan and stand before him. They have come to buy grain, bringing their youngest brother Benjamin with them at Joseph's command (Genesis 42:19–20; 24). They still don't know who this Egyptian ruler is (Genesis 42:8) or why he is treating them this way.Joseph has received what he asked for. He sees his younger brother Benjamin, the only other son born to their mother Rachel (Genesis 35:18–19; 42:38). Benjamin would have been quite young when Joseph was taken. He must be in his 20s by this point. Seeing him does something to Joseph. Instead of addressing his brothers, he tells his house steward to bring the men to his home. The steward is to slaughter an animal and prepare a noon meal for all of them. This is certainly not what any of the brothers were expecting.