Genesis 42:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

NIV: On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

NASB: Now Joseph said to them on the third day, 'Do this and live, for I fear God:

CSB: On the third day Joseph said to them, "I fear God —do this and you will live.

NLT: On the third day Joseph said to them, 'I am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.

KJV: And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

NKJV: Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:

Three days have passed since Joseph, now governor of Egypt, has locked all ten of his older half-brothers in prison (Genesis 42:17). The men don't recognize Joseph. Twenty years passed between when they sold him as a slave (Genesis 37:28) and when they came to Egypt to buy grain (Genesis 42:1–5). Though he recognizes them, Joseph keeps his secret and intimidates them into giving more information about the family (Genesis 42:6–16).

Some commentators suggest Joseph was unsure what to do with them. Later passages make it clear he has no mind for revenge (Genesis 42:23–24; 43:30; 45:1–5; 47:11–12). Later, Joseph will even conclude that God meant for him to come to Egypt all along, to save lives (Genesis 50:15–20).

Now, Joseph seems resolved. Given time to process the situation, he has decided on a course of action. He declares this choice is inspired by his fear of God. This may be simply a statement for show—Joseph indeed believes in God, but he might be implying that his actions are being tempered by pagan mercy. Also, his words suggest their lives continue to hang in the balance. His statement that he feared God may have confused them, as well; Egyptians worshiped many gods.

Genesis 42:18–28 describes a powerful Egyptian governor sending nine of Jacob's sons home with purchased grain, while keeping Simeon as collateral. He commands the others to return only if they can prove their honesty by bringing along their youngest brother. The men tell each other they must be suffering for abusing another brother, Joseph (Genesis 37:28). They don't realize the governor is Joseph himself (Genesis 42:7) and that he understands their language. After leaving, the horrified brothers find the payment for the grain is still in their bags. They do not know Joseph secretly arranged to give it back to them.

Genesis 42 describes the moment Joseph sees his brothers for the first time since they sold him into slavery over 20 years earlier. They have come to Egypt to buy grain, and they do not recognize him. He keeps his secret, speaking roughly to them and hinting they may be spies. He allows them to leave only if they promise to return with their youngest brother Benjamin. He keeps Simeon as collateral but sends them off with full sacks of grain for their family. He also secretly returns their money, something they are terrified to discover on the way home. Back in Canaan, Jacob responds to this terrible news with bitterness and vindictive blame.

Twenty years prior to the events of this chapter, Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). Miraculously, Joseph is now the governor of the nation of Egypt (Genesis 41:44). His brothers, who know nothing of Joseph's fate, have come to buy food during a terrible famine (Genesis 41:56–57). Joseph, probably and justifiably angry at his brothers, keeps his identity a secret, at first. Over the next several chapters, he will test, challenge, and chasten them. Yet there is no revenge involved; everything Joseph does furthers a long-term goal of rescuing the family from starvation.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.