Genesis 43:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

NIV: They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

NASB: So they prepared the gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.

CSB: Since the men had heard that they were going to eat a meal there, they prepared their gift for Joseph's arrival at noon.

NLT: They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon.

KJV: And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

NKJV: Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

Eleven of Jacob's sons (Genesis 43:1–2) are now honored guests (Genesis 43:23–24) in the home of the Egyptian ruler who had previously threatened them (Genesis 42:14, 19–20), To improve their chances, they prepare their own gift for him. This is an assortment of Canaanite specialties sent by their father Jacob (Genesis 43:11). Those were prepared to convince the Egyptian governor not to punish the men or harm their youngest brother, Benjamin.

They have learned that the ruler will arrive to eat a meal with them at noon. Before long, the men will learn that this man is their estranged brother Joseph (Genesis 42:8), whom the oldest ten had sold into slavery twenty years earlier (Genesis 37:24–28). Though he continues to test and examine them, Joseph's ultimate intentions are good (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 5/6/2024 7:25:04 AM