What does Genesis 43:25 mean?
Eleven of Jacob's sons (Genesis 43:1–2) are now honored guests (Genesis 43:23–24) in the home of the Egyptian ruler who had previously threatened them (Genesis 42:14, 19–20), To improve their chances, they prepare their own gift for him. This is an assortment of Canaanite specialties sent by their father Jacob (Genesis 43:11). Those were prepared to convince the Egyptian governor not to punish the men or harm their youngest brother, Benjamin.They have learned that the ruler will arrive to eat a meal with them at noon. Before long, the men will learn that this man is their estranged brother Joseph (Genesis 42:8), whom the oldest ten had sold into slavery twenty years earlier (Genesis 37:24–28). Though he continues to test and examine them, Joseph's ultimate intentions are good (Genesis 47:11–12).
Genesis 43:16–34 finds Joseph's estranged brothers returning once more to Egypt and appearing before him. They still fail to recognize the person they sold into slavery some twenty years before. After he orders them taken to his home, the brothers are afraid they will be ambushed for a false charge of theft due to their prior visit (Genesis 42:25–28). Joseph's steward assures them God arranged those events, and all is well. Joseph shares a meal with them, honoring them as guests in his home and giving special attention to Benjamin. The meal turns into a time of merriment for them all.
Jacob must send Benjamin with his brothers, back to Egypt, to buy more grain for the family. Without it, they will starve, but the Egyptian ruler will not sell them grain if they don't bring Benjamin as agreed. Speaking on behalf of his brothers, Judah finally convinces his father. Arriving in Egypt, they are honored as guests in Joseph's house. They present a gift to him—still not recognizing him as their estranged brother—and Joseph, after being overwhelmed with emotion, pays special attention to Benjamin.
