Genesis 43:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So they went up to the steward of Joseph 's house and spoke with him at the door of the house,

NIV: So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.

NASB: So they approached Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house,

CSB: So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the doorway of the house.

NLT: The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace.

KJV: And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

NKJV: When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house,

Joseph's brothers, still not aware of who he is (Genesis 42:8), fear they've been brought to his home to be attacked and forced into slavery (Genesis 43:16–18). In part, this would be God's vengeance on them for what they did to Joseph when he was a boy (Genesis 37:25–28; 42:21–22). It would also be punishment for not paying for the grain they purchased on their last visit (Genesis 42:26–28). They did pay, of course, but Joseph had the money secretly returned to their bags (Genesis 42:25). There's a deep irony in these men—who sold their hated brother as a slave—now fearing they will be forced into servanthood (Genesis 43:18).

Before anything violent can happen, the brothers rush to clear up matters with the steward of Joseph's house. They seem to hope they can convince him of their innocence before anything more happens.

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.

In Genesis chapter 37, Jacob sends his favorite son, Joseph, to visit his brothers. Joseph does not come home. In chapter 42, Jacob sends ten of his sons on a mission, and once again the group returns short one son. The Egyptian governor keeps Simeon as collateral and commands the family to return with Benjamin. Only when forced with starvation does Jacob risk his youngest son. Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers as the governor of Egypt, honors the men as guests in his home, paying special attention to Benjamin. After further tests in chapter 44, Joseph will finally reveal himself in chapter 45.

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.

Accessed 11/21/2024 12:04:21 PM