Genesis 42:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Reuben answered them, "Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now there comes a reckoning for his blood."

NIV: Reuben replied, "Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood."

NASB: Reuben answered them, saying, 'Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now justice for his blood is required.'

CSB: But Reuben replied: "Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy? But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood!"

NLT: Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?' Reuben asked. 'But you wouldn’t listen. And now we have to answer for his blood!'

KJV: And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

NKJV: And Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”

Ten men are standing before a powerful Egyptian official, who has accused them of being spies (Genesis 42:12). They have only come to buy food, however (Genesis 42:1–5). The men have spent three days in jail, awaiting the governor's decision (Genesis 42:17). He tells them they must leave one brother behind, while the other nine retrieve their youngest brother. This will prove their honesty (Genesis 42:19–20). The men immediately connect these events to a collective sin from their past (Genesis 42:21).

Twenty years prior to the events of this verse, these ten sons of Jacob (Genesis 35:23–26) jealously sold their brother, Joseph, into slavery (Genesis 37:28). They then lied to their father, convincing him the boy was dead (Genesis 37:31–33). Their initial plan was to kill him outright, but were held back by Reuben, who had hoped to rescue him later (Genesis 37:21–22).

Though they know their current state is connected to that crime, they don't realize the Egyptian official is Joseph, himself (Genesis 41:42–45). They don't guess he can understand their language without an interpreter (Genesis 42:23). He has heard them clearly express their regret for the suffering they caused to him. In addition, this is likely the first time Joseph learns one of his brothers tried to protect him. This likely factors into his emotional reaction (Genesis 42:24).

Reuben describes the situation by evoking the idea that God holds people accountable for violence against others (Genesis 9:5; Psalm 9:12). He likely assumes Joseph has died in captivity. Or, that by being falsely imprisoned and harassed, they are receiving a share of the harm they did to Joseph. In any case, all the brothers agree they deserve this unexpected imprisonment in Egypt and apparent threat to their lives.

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.