Genesis 43:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

NIV: They replied, 'Your servant our father is still alive and well.' And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.

NASB: And they said, 'Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.' Then they bowed down again in homage.

CSB: They answered, "Your servant our father is well. He is still alive." And they knelt low and paid homage to him.

NLT: Yes,' they replied. 'Our father, your servant, is alive and well.' And they bowed low again.

KJV: And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.

NKJV: And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.

Joseph's brothers continue to respond to him with great respect and humility (Genesis 43:26). At this point, they only see him as the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 42:8), who had previously accused them of being spies (Genesis 42:14). They don't realize they are being tested by the same brother they once sold into slavery (Genesis 37:24–28). Joseph has asked about the father they mentioned on their first trip (Genesis 42:11).

After noting that Jacob is still alive, the men bow even lower, prostrating themselves fully to the ground. Once they learn who Joseph is, they will have no doubt that his prophetic dream all those years earlier has been fulfilled (Genesis 37:5–8).

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 4/29/2024 11:12:16 AM