Genesis 43:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.”

NIV: After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, 'Serve the food.'

NASB: Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, 'Serve the meal.'

CSB: Then he washed his face and came out. Regaining his composure, he said, "Serve the meal."

NLT: After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, 'Bring out the food!'

KJV: And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

NKJV: Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”

Joseph has regained control of his emotions after seeing his younger brother, Benjamin, for the first time in twenty years (Genesis 43:29–30). As a teenager, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous older brothers (Genesis 37:24–28). Over time, he rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 41:44). When his older brothers arrived to buy grain during a famine, they did not recognize him (Genesis 42:8). To test them, and see his other brother, Joseph instructed them to only come back if they brought Benjamin (Genesis 42:19–20). And so, Benjamin was brought as part of a second trip by Jacob's sons to buy grain in Egypt (Genesis 43:1–2).

Though the brothers still do not recognize him, Joseph's emotions at seeing his estranged family are evident. Only after composing himself does he order food to be served, as the brothers are now his honored guests (Genesis 43:16–25). Further tests are in store for Joseph's brothers (Genesis 43:34; 44:1–2).

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 5/5/2024 12:21:57 AM