Genesis 43
43
The Second Journey to Egypt
1 Now the famine was severe in the land.#tn The disjunctive clause gives supplemental information that is important to the storyline. 2 When they finished eating the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Return, buy us a little more food.”
3 But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned#tn The infinitive absolute with the finite verb stresses the point. The primary meaning of the verb is “to witness; to testify.” It alludes to Joseph’s oath, which was tantamount to a threat or warning. us, ‘You will not see my face#tn The idiom “see my face” means “have an audience with me.” unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send#tn Heb “if there is you sending,” that is, “if you send.” our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you will not send him, we won’t go down there because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’”
6 Israel said, “Why did you bring this trouble#tn The verb may even have a moral connotation here, “Why did you do evil to me?” on me by telling#tn The infinitive construct here explains how they brought trouble on Jacob. the man you had one more brother?”
7 They replied, “The man questioned us#tn The word “us” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. thoroughly#tn The infinitive absolute with the perfect verbal form emphasizes that Joseph questioned them thoroughly. about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’#sn The report given here concerning Joseph’s interrogation does not exactly match the previous account where they supplied the information to clear themselves (see 42:13). This section may reflect how they remembered the impact of his interrogation, whether he asked the specific questions or not. That may be twisting the truth to protect themselves, not wanting to admit that they volunteered the information. (They admitted as much in 42:31, but now they seem to be qualifying that comment.) On the other hand, when speaking to Joseph later (see 44:19), Judah claims that Joseph asked for the information about their family, making it possible that 42:13 leaves out some of the details of their first encounter. So we answered him in this way.#tn Heb “and we told to him according to these words.” How could we possibly know#tn The infinitive absolute emphasizes the imperfect verbal form, which here is a historic future (that is, future from the perspective of a past time). that he would say,#tn Once again the imperfect verbal form is used as a historic future (that is, future from the perspective of past time). ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8 Then Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me and we will go immediately.#tn Heb “and we will rise up and we will go.” The first verb is adverbial and gives the expression the sense of “we will go immediately.” Then we will live#tn After the preceding cohortatives, the prefixed verbal form (either imperfect or cohortative) with the prefixed conjunction here indicates purpose or result. and not die – we and you and our little ones. 9 I myself pledge security#tn The pronoun before the first person verbal form draws attention to the subject and emphasizes Judah’s willingness to be personally responsible for the boy. for him; you may hold me liable. If I do not bring him back to you and place him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.#sn I will bear the blame before you all my life. It is not clear how this would work out if Benjamin did not come back. But Judah is offering his life for Benjamin’s if Benjamin does not return. 10 But if we had not delayed, we could have traveled there and back#tn Heb “we could have returned.” twice by now!”
11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take a gift down to the man – a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. 12 Take double the money with you;#tn Heb “in your hand.” you must take back#tn Heb “take back in your hand.” The imperfect verbal form probably has an injunctive or obligatory force here, since Jacob is instructing his sons. the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks – perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother too, and go right away#tn Heb “arise, return,” meaning “get up and go back,” or “go back immediately.” to the man.#sn The man refers to the Egyptian official, whom the reader or hearer of the narrative knows is Joseph. In this context both the sons and Jacob refer to him simply as “the man” (see vv. 3-7). 14 May the sovereign God#tn Heb “El Shaddai.” See the extended note on the phrase “sovereign God” in Gen 17:1. grant you mercy before the man so that he may release#tn Heb “release to you.” After the jussive this perfect verbal form with prefixed vav (ו) probably indicates logical consequence, as well as temporal sequence. your other brother#sn Several Jewish commentators suggest that the expression your other brother refers to Joseph. This would mean that Jacob prophesied unwittingly. However, it is much more likely that Simeon is the referent of the phrase “your other brother” (see Gen 42:24). and Benjamin! As for me, if I lose my children I lose them.”#tn Heb “if I am bereaved I am bereaved.” With this fatalistic sounding statement Jacob resolves himself to the possibility of losing both Benjamin and Simeon.
15 So the men took these gifts, and they took double the money with them, along with Benjamin. Then they hurried down to Egypt#tn Heb “they arose and went down to Egypt.” The first verb has an adverbial function and emphasizes that they departed right away. and stood before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, “Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon.” 17 The man did just as Joseph said; he#tn Heb “the man.” This has been replaced in the translation by the pronoun “he” for stylistic reasons. brought the men into Joseph’s house.#sn This verse is a summary statement. The next verses delineate intermediate steps (see v. 24) in the process.
18 But the men were afraid when they were brought to Joseph’s house. They said, “We are being brought in because of#tn Heb “over the matter of.” the money that was returned in our sacks last time.#tn Heb “in the beginning,” that is, at the end of their first visit. He wants to capture us,#tn Heb “to roll himself upon us and to cause himself to fall upon us.” The infinitives here indicate the purpose (as viewed by the brothers) for their being brought to Joseph’s house. make us slaves, and take#tn The word “take” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. our donkeys!” 19 So they approached the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 They said, “My lord, we did indeed come down#tn The infinitive absolute is used for emphasis before the finite verbal form. the first time#tn Heb “in the beginning” (see the note on the phrase “last time” in v. 18). to buy food. 21 But when we came to the place where we spent the night, we opened our sacks and each of us found his money – the full amount#tn Heb “in its weight.” – in the mouth of his sack. So we have returned it.#tn Heb “brought it back in our hand.” 22 We have brought additional money with us to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks!”
23 “Everything is fine,”#tn Heb “and he said, ‘peace to you.’” Here the statement has the force of “everything is fine,” or perhaps even “calm down.” The referent of “he” (the man in charge of Joseph’ household) has been specified in the translation for clarity, and the order of the introductory clause and the direct discourse has been rearranged for stylistic reasons. the man in charge of Joseph’s household told them. “Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.#sn Your God and the God of your father…This is the first clear reference in the story to the theme of divine providence – that God works through the human actions to do his will. I had your money.”#tn Heb “your money came to me.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24 The servant in charge#tn Heb “the man.” brought the men into Joseph’s house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. Then he gave food to their donkeys. 25 They got their gifts ready for Joseph’s arrival#tn The construction uses the infinitive construct after the preposition, followed by the subjective genitive. at noon, for they had heard#tn The action precedes the action of preparing the gift, and so must be translated as past perfect. that they were to have a meal#tn Heb “eat bread.” The imperfect verbal form is used here as a historic future (future from the perspective of the past). there.
26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought inside,#tn Heb “into the house.” and they bowed down to the ground before him. 27 He asked them how they were doing.#tn Heb “concerning peace.” Then he said, “Is your aging father well, the one you spoke about? Is he still alive?” 28 “Your servant our father is well,” they replied. “He is still alive.” They bowed down in humility.#tn Heb “and they bowed low and they bowed down.” The use of synonyms here emphasizes the brothers’ humility.
29 When Joseph looked up#tn Heb “and he lifted his eyes.” The referent of “he” (Joseph) has been specified in the translation for clarity. and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, whom you told me about?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”#sn Joseph’s language here becomes warmer and more personal, culminating in calling Benjamin my son. 30 Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother#tn Heb “for his affection boiled up concerning his brother.” The same expression is used in 1 Kgs 3:26 for the mother’s feelings for her endangered child. and was at the point of tears.#tn Heb “and he sought to weep.” So he went to his room and wept there.
31 Then he washed his face and came out. With composure he said,#tn Heb “and he controlled himself and said.” “Set out the food.” 32 They set a place for him, a separate place for his brothers,#tn Heb “them”; the referent (Joseph’s brothers) has been specified in the translation for clarity. and another for the Egyptians who were eating with him. (The Egyptians are not able to eat with Hebrews, for the Egyptians think it is disgusting#tn Or “disgraceful.” The Hebrew word תּוֹעֵבָה (to’evah, “abomination”) describes something that is loathsome or off-limits. For other practices the Egyptians considered disgusting, see Gen 46:34 and Exod 8:22. to do so.)#tn Heb “and they set for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves, for the Egyptians are not able to eat food with the Hebrews, for it is an abomination for the Egyptians.” The imperfect verbal form in the explanatory clause is taken as habitual in force, indicating a practice that was still in effect in the narrator’s time.sn That the Egyptians found eating with foreigners disgusting is well-attested in extra-biblical literature by writers like Herodotus, Diodorus, and Strabo. 33 They sat before him, arranged by order of birth, beginning with the firstborn and ending with the youngest.#tn Heb “the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth.” The men looked at each other in astonishment.#sn The brothers’ astonishment indicates that Joseph arranged them in this way. They were astonished because there was no way, as far as they were concerned, that Joseph could have known the order of their birth. 34 He gave them portions of the food set before him,#tn Heb “and he lifted up portions from before his face to them.” but the portion for Benjamin was five times greater than the portions for any of the others. They drank with Joseph until they all became drunk.#tn Heb “and they drank and were intoxicated with him” (cf. NIV “drank freely with him”; NEB “grew merry”; NRSV “were merry”). The brothers were apparently relaxed and set at ease, despite Joseph’s obvious favoritism toward Benjamin.
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Genesis 43
43
Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt country again
1Some time later, there was still no rain and no food plants growing in Canaan country, and everybody was really hungry. 2Jacob’s family finished eating all that food that they got in Egypt country, and they didn’t have any more food. So Jacob said to his sons, “Go back to Egypt country, and buy a bit more food for us.”
3But Jacob’s son Judah said, “You know that we can’t go back to Egypt country without our youngest brother Benjamin. That man that is in charge of Egypt, he will not let us do that. Last time we went to Egypt, that man talked strongly to us, and he said, ‘You can only come back here if you bring your youngest brother with you.’ ”
4Then Judah said to Jacob, “If you will let our brother Benjamin go with us to Egypt country, then we will go and buy food for you there. 5But if you will not let Benjamin go with us, then we will not go to Egypt country, because that man said to us, ‘You can only come back here if you bring your youngest brother with you.’ ”
6Then Jacob said, “I don’t want you mob to take Benjamin to Egypt country. Why did you make this problem for me? Why did you tell that man that you have another brother?”
7Jacob’s sons said, “That man asked us lots of questions about ourselves and our family. He said, ‘Is your father still alive? And have you got another brother?’ We just answered his questions. We didn’t know that he was going to say, ‘Bring your brother here.’ ”
8Then Judah talked to his father Jacob again. He said, “I will look after that young man Benjamin. Let him go with me to Egypt country. We will go there straight away, with the rest of our brothers, so that we can buy food. If we don’t go and buy food, our mob will get so hungry that we will all die. That’s true for us, and you, and our kids. We all need that food, so that we can stay alive.”
9Then Judah said to his father, “I promise that I will look after Benjamin, and I will keep him safe until we come back. I’m telling you straight, if I don’t bring Benjamin back here to you, then you can blame me and say that I am guilty, and you can keep doing that all my life. 10But listen, we really need to go to Egypt country now. We already waited too long. We had enough time to go to Egypt and come back, and then go again and come back. But we didn’t do that. We just stayed here in Canaan country.”
11Then their father Jacob said, “All right. I can see that you mob have to take Benjamin to Egypt country. But first, I want you to get some of the best things from our country, so that you can take them as presents for that man, the one that is in charge of Egypt. Get some honey, and some nuts. And get some perfume, and some bush medicine called myrrh. Put all those things into your bags, and take them to Egypt, and give them to that man that is in charge.”
12Then Jacob kept on talking to his sons. He said, “Remember, the last time you mob went to Egypt, you paid money for food. Then later on, you found that money in your food bags. I don’t know why somebody put that money into your food bags. Maybe that person wasn’t thinking right. So you have to take that money back to Egypt country, and you have to give it to that man that is in charge. And take some other money with you as well, to pay for the food that you will buy this time.”
13Then Jacob said to his sons, “Now get your brother Benjamin, and leave this place straight away. Go back to Egypt country, and go to that man that is in charge. 14You know, God is the one that has power over everything. So I’m asking God to make that man feel sorry for you mob. If he feels sorry for you, then he will let your brother Simeon go free, and he will let Simeon and Benjamin come back here with you. But if those things don’t happen, and if my sons die, then I can’t change that.”
Joseph’s brothers went to Egypt country again
15Straight away, Jacob’s sons did everything that Jacob said. They got those presents ready, and they got that money that they found in their food bags, and some other money. Then they got their brother Benjamin, and they went to Egypt country. After they got there, they went and stood in front of Joseph.
16Joseph looked at those men, and he saw that his brother Benjamin was with them. So Joseph talked to his worker, the one that was in charge of all the other workers in his house. Joseph said to that worker, “I want these men to eat lunch with me at 12 o’clock. So take them to my house, and then go and get one of my animals and kill it. Cook the meat from that animal, and get it ready for us to eat.”
17So that worker started to take those men to Joseph’s house, just like Joseph told him to do. 18Then those men got frightened. They talked to each other, and they said, “You know, the last time we came here to Egypt country, we brought money with us, to buy food. But somebody put that money in our food bags, and then we took those food bags back home with us. We didn’t know that our money was in those bags. Now that man is going to say to us, ‘You mob stole that money.’ That’s the reason why he wants us at his house. Him and his men, they are going to attack us, and we will not be able to fight back, because they will be too strong for us. Then they will make us like prisoners, and we will have to work very hard for them. And they will take our donkeys too.”
19So when those men got near to Joseph’s house, they stopped outside the door of the house, and they talked to Joseph’s worker. 20They said, “Please, sir, we want to tell you something. Some time ago, we came here to Egypt country, to buy food. We got lots of food, and we paid money for that food. 21-22Then on the way home, we stopped at a place to camp for the night. Then we opened our food bags, and we saw that all our money was in those bags, on top of the food. We don’t know who put that money in our bags. So now, we brought that money here, to give it back. And we brought some other money with us too, so that we can buy more food.”
23Then Joseph’s worker said to them, “It’s all right. Don’t be frightened. I got the money that you paid for that food last time. The God that you and your father respect, he is the one that put that money in your food bags. It’s like he gave you a special present.”
Then that worker went and got Joseph’s brother Simeon, that one that stayed in Egypt country last time. That worker took Simeon to his brothers, 24and then he took all those men into Joseph’s house. He got water for them to wash their feet, and he got food for their donkeys to eat. 25And he said to those men, “You are going to eat lunch with my boss at 12 o’clock.” So they washed their feet, and they got those presents ready for Joseph, the ones that they brought from Canaan country.
Joseph’s brothers had lunch with him
26Joseph came home for lunch, and his brothers gave him those presents that they brought from Canaan country. They still didn’t know that he was their brother. They thought that he was one of the Egypt people. So they got down on their knees and put their faces near the ground, to show him respect.
27Joseph said to them, “How are you mob?” And he said, “The last time you came here, you told me about your father. So tell me, how is that old man? Is he still alive?”
28They said, “Yes, our father is still alive, and he is good. He respects you.” Then they all got down on their knees again, and they put their faces near the ground, to show respect to Joseph.
29Joseph looked around, and he saw his brother Benjamin. You know, Joseph and Benjamin had the same mother and father. So Joseph said to those men, “You told me that you have another younger brother. Is this him?”
Then Joseph said to Benjamin, “Young man, I’m asking God to be very good to you.”
30Joseph was really happy to see Benjamin, because he loved him very much. He was so happy that he wanted to cry. But Joseph didn’t want his brothers to see him crying, so he quickly went out of that room to find a place to cry. He went to his own room, and he cried.
31After a while, Joseph stopped crying. Then he washed his face, and he went back to his brothers. And Joseph tried to be strong, so that he did not cry again. He said to his workers, “Bring the food that you made, so that we can eat it.”
32In that room there was Joseph, and Joseph’s brothers, and some Egypt people. Joseph’s workers went and got food for them all. Those Egypt people didn’t want to sit with Joseph’s brothers, because Joseph’s brothers were from the Hebrew tribe, and the Egypt people reckoned it was wrong to eat food with Hebrew people. That’s what their culture said. So those Egypt people sat by themselves, and Joseph had a special place for himself.
33And Joseph got his brothers to sit together. He got his oldest brother to sit down first, and he got his 2nd oldest brother to sit down next, and then he kept on doing that with all his brothers, and he got his youngest brother to sit down last. So all his brothers were sitting down in order of their age, from the oldest to the youngest. Joseph’s brothers were shocked. They thought, “That man knows how old we all are. How does he know that?”
34Then Joseph’s workers got food from Joseph’s table, and they gave that food to Joseph’s brothers. But they gave Benjamin more food than all the others. They gave Benjamin 5 lunches just for him. And all of Joseph’s brothers, they drank a lot of wine with Joseph, and they felt very happy.
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