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Genesis 43:30
ESV Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.
NIV Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.
NASB Joseph then hurried out, for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he looked for a place to weep; so he entered his chamber and wept there.
CSB Joseph hurried out because he was overcome with emotion for his brother, and he was about to weep. He went into an inner room and wept there.
NLT Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept.
KJV And 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.
NKJV Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.

What does Genesis 43:30 mean?

After warmly and politely speaking to his younger brother Benjamin (Genesis 43:29), Joseph becomes very emotional. As the second most powerful man in the nation of Egypt (Genesis 41:44), he cannot lose control in a public setting. Instead, he goes to his own room and cries alone to get his emotions under control once more.

Joseph's intense reaction is driven by the unique circumstances of this reunion. He has not seen Benjamin in some twenty years. As a seventeen-year-old (Genesis 37:2), Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous older brothers (Genesis 37:24–28). This did not include the youngest, Benjamin. Over the next twenty years, Joseph rose to become governor of Egypt and the main reason the nation survived an intense famine (Genesis 41:46; 53–54). Joseph disguised his identity from his brothers when they came to buy grain (Genesis 42:7–8) but arranged for them to bring Benjamin back (Genesis 42:19–20). This is the first time in decades he has seen he has seen his only younger brother.

Joseph's brothers still have no idea that this powerful Egyptian ruler is the person they sold into slavery as a teenager. Joseph continues to hide this fact from them, as he has further tests in mind (Genesis 43:34; 44:1–2). Clearly, he is deeply affected by being reunited with them. Eventually, it will become clear that Joseph's intentions are good (Genesis 47:11–12). For now, there is no hint about when or if Joseph will reveal himself to them.
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