Genesis 43:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And when the man had brought the men into Joseph’s house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder,

NIV: The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.

NASB: Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.

CSB: The steward brought the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet, and got feed for their donkeys.

NLT: The manager then led the men into Joseph’s palace. He gave them water to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys.

KJV: And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.

NKJV: So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.

Joseph's steward has fully assured Jacob's sons—now eleven with the return of Simeon (Genesis 43:23)—that they are guests and not prisoners of the Egyptian ruler (Genesis 43:16–22). As guests, they are provided the customary hospitality of water for washing and food for their animals.

Perhaps the brothers begin to relax, though are likely still confused as to why this Egyptian ruler is treating them with such honor. They don't realize the ruler is Joseph, their own brother (Genesis 42:8). Though they'd sold him into slavery twenty years ago (Genesis 37:24–28), Joseph's intentions for them are good. He has a few more tests in mind, as shown in the rest of this passage. In the end, he will rescue his entire family from starvation (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.

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 4/30/2024 10:13:33 PM