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GENESIS 42
PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATION
| NASB | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB (follows MT versing) |
| Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt | Joseph's Brothers Go To Egypt | Joseph's Brothers Journey to Egypt During the Famine | Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt to Buy Grain | The First Meeting Between Joseph and His Brothers |
| 42:1-5 | 42:1-5 | 42:1-5 | 42:1-4 | 42:1-4 |
| 42:5-7a | 42:5-7 | |||
| 42:6-7 | 42:6-17 | 42:6-17 | ||
| 42:7b | ||||
| 42:8-17 | 42:8-9 | 42:8-17 | ||
| 42:10-11 | ||||
| 42:12 | ||||
| 42:13 | ||||
| 42:14-17 | ||||
| 42:18-25 | 42:18-24 | 42:18-25 | 42:18-20a | 42:18-24 |
| 42:20b-21 | ||||
| 42:22-24 | ||||
| The Brothers Return to Canaan | Joseph's Brothers Return to Canaan | Jacob's Sons Return to Canaan | ||
| 42:25-28 | 42:25-28 | 42:25-28 | ||
| 42:26-28 | 42:26-28 | |||
| Simeon is Held Hostage | ||||
| 42:29-34 | 42:29-34 | 42:29-34 | 42:29-34 | 42:29-34 |
| 42:35-38 | 42:35-38 | 42:35-38 | 42:35-36 | 42:35-36 |
| 42:37 | 42:37-38 | |||
| 42:38 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:1-5
1Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, "Why are you staring at one another?" 2He said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die." 3Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm may befall him." 5So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.
42:1 "Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt" The VERB "see" is used twice in Gen. 42:1.
This same word is used of Pharaoh's dream (cf. Gen. 41:19,22,28) and by Joseph for Pharaoh to look for a discerning and wise man (cf. Gen. 41:33). This common VERB is used in this chapter several times (i.e., Gen. 42:1 [twice],7,9,12,21,27,35). Rashi says that he had a divine vision, but he probably saw that others in Canaan were purchasing grain from Pharaoh (cf. Gen. 47:14).
42:2 Jacob commands his sons to go to Egypt to sustain (i.e., "live and not die") the family.
42:3-4 Jacob still did not trust the brothers. They had somehow been a part of Joseph's death and he would not trust something similar to happen to Rachel's only remaining child, Benjamin.
42:4 "that harm may befall him" The term "harm" (BDB 62) is rare (cf. Gen. 44:29; Exod. 21:22,23) and implies a life-threatening accident. Jacob is fearful for the life of the only child of his beloved, deceased Rachel (i.e., Benjamin, Joseph's younger full brother). One wonders if Jacob thought he would be the leader of the family.
This VERB (BDB 896, II KB 1131, Qal IMPERFECT) is used in a negative sense here and in Lev. 10:19; Deut. 31:29; Job 4:14; Isa. 51:19; Jer. 13:22; 44:23, and is usually translated "befall."
42:5 "So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming" Some wonder why Jacob sent all of his sons (earlier he had divided his family for safety, cf. Gen. 32:22-32). It was possibly because
▣ "for the famine was in the 1and of Canaan also" From history we know that famine periodically swept through this part of the world (see IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 72. It was caused by
Canaan was dependant on regular natural cycles, but Egypt was dependant on the Nile (i.e., flooding annually).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:6-7
6Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, "Where have you come from?" And they said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."
42:6 "And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground" Not only does this verse seem to fulfill Joseph's dream of Gen. 37:6-9, but also 43:28; and 44:14.
42:7 "he recognized them" The VERB "regard, "recognize" (BDB 647, KB 699) is used twice in Gen. 42:7 (Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, Hithpael IMPERFECT) with waw and twice in Gen. 42:8 (Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, Hiphil PERFECT). They were still bearded and dressed in the traditional garb of the nomadic tribes. On the other hand Joseph was clean shaven, finely dressed, in a place of authority, and he spoke Egyptian. All of these things disguised him well from his brothers.
▣ "he recognized. . .he disguised" Both of these VERBS come from the same root, נכר.
It is uncertain if there are two separate Hebrew roots or two usages.
| ▣ | |
| NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta | "harshly" |
| NKJV | "roughly" |
| LXX | "hard words" |
| NAB | "sternly" |
The ADJECTIVE (BDB 904) means "hard," or "severe." It is used in 1 Sam. 25:3 to describe Nabal's personality. Here it describes the tone of Joseph's voice (cf. 1 Sam. 20:10), as well as the content of his accusations (i.e., they were spies).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:8-17
8But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. 9Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, "You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land." 10Then they said to him, "No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies." 12Yet he said to them, "No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!" 13But they said, "Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive." 14Joseph said to them, "It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies." 17So he put them all together in prison for three days.
42:9 "Joseph remembered the dreams" This refers to chapter 37. Joseph had named his first son Manasseh ("making to forget"), but the memories of his brothers' betrayal came flooding back.
▣ "You are spies" The Rabbinical Midrash says that Jacob told his sons to enter the city by different gates and that Joseph observed this and used it to accuse them of being spies (BDB 920, KB 1183, Piel PARTICIPLE, cf. Jos. 2:1; 6:22-23; 1 Sam. 26:4). Joseph did this in order to test their motives and character.
| ▣ | |
| NASB | "the undefended parts of the land" |
| NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA | "the nakedness of the land" |
| TEV | "where the country is weak" |
| NJB | "the country's weak points" |
| LXX | "the marks (i.e., scrutinize the tracks) of the land" |
| REB | "the weak points of our defences" |
| Peshitta | "a report about the land" |
This term (BDB 788) is literally "naked" (cf. Gen. 9:22-23) or "bare." The sense here (determined by the context) is the area of Egypt without forts or military guards. It is a false accusation to test Jacob's children.
42:11 "we are honest men" "Honest" (BDB 467 II, cf. Gen. 42:11,19,31,34) is used in the sense of irony of what they had earlier done to Joseph. They appeared as upright, forthright men, but they had acted in evil ways (cf. Genesis 34,37).
42:13 "the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive" The last phrase is obviously referring to Joseph. It is ironical that they are speaking this to his face without knowing who he was.
42:15 "by the life of Pharaoh" Many commentators have criticized Joseph for taking this oath twice. It fits his disguise! He is obviously not using it in a theological sense. However, it is a reference to the Egyptian tradition that Pharaoh was the son of the sun god, Re. This very oath has been found on Egyptian monuments.
42:16 Joseph makes several commands and demands.
42:17 "So he put them all in the prison for three days" Apparently Joseph wanted them to experience some of the agony that he had gone through at their expense.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:18-25
18Now Joseph said to them on the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God: 19if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die." And they did so. 21Then they said to one another, "Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us." 22Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood." 23They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. 24He turned away from them and wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man's money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.
42:18-20 Joseph's commands and demands continue.
42:18 "for I fear God" This phrase could relate to Joseph's oaths in Pharaoh's name (cf. Gen. 42:15,16) or to his fear of the divine in general related to his charges against these ten men. Joseph is asserting, in a roundabout way, his integrity and spirituality (cf. Gen. 20:11). He did fear/revere Elohim.
▣ "I fear God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)
42:20 "verified" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT
42:21 "They said to each other, 'we are truly guilty concerning our brother'" They felt that God was punishing them because of their sin against Joseph. This is obvious from Gen. 42:21,22,28 and 44:16. There is a sense that we reap what we sow (cf. Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pro. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:6-7; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). However, there is also another biblical truth that God does not deal with us according to our sins (cf. Ps. 103:10). We do not receive temporal punishment for all of our sins, or we would all be dead and yet there are occasions when God does do this.
42:22 "Reuben answered them saying, 'Did I not tell you, "Do not sin against the boy"; and you would not listen'" This is probably the first time that Joseph had ever heard that Reuben had tried to defend him (cf. Gen. 37:22-24). Now these brothers believed that Joseph's innocent blood was crying out for vengeance as Abel's blood did against his brother in Genesis 4.
42:23 "They did not know, however, that Joseph understood for there was an interpreter between them" They were speaking Hebrew; Joseph apparently only spoke Egyptian to them through an interpreter. Again, this was part of the disguise until he was able to ascertain whether his brothers had overcome the biases which caused them to sin against him over twenty years earlier.
This Hebrew VERB translated "there was an interpreter" (BDB 539, KB 529, Hiphil PARTICIPLE) usually denotes scorn or mockery. In the Hiphil stem it denotes
All of the uses of this VERB in the OT occur in a negative context (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 799).
42:24 "wept" Joseph was apparently a sensitive man (cf. Gen. 43:30; 45:14,15).
▣ "he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes" Obviously Reuben, the firstborn, was the leader of the group and had apparently tried to help Joseph, so the obvious choice was Simeon. He was the second born and many commentators believe that fierce anger seen in his destruction of the men of Shechem (cf. Genesis 34) may have involved him in the original plot to hurt Joseph.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:26-28
26So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. 27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. 28Then he said to his brothers, "My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack." And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"
42:25-29 The nine brothers were afraid that this would jeopardize Simeon's release. The level of their concern is expressed in
42:27 "sack" There are two different Hebrew terms translated "sack" in this verse.
The answer for the use of the two terms may be that one refers to a money pouch (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 843) and the other a sack for grain (cf. James W. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, p. 49).
42:28 "What is this that God has done to us" They still were feeling the divine judgment for their actions against Joseph.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:29-34
29When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30"The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies. 32We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.' 33The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. 34But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.'"
42:29-34 The nine brothers relate to their father, Jacob, all that happened in Egypt.
42:34 "you may trade in the land" This VERB (BDB 695, KB 749, Qal IMPERFECT) is translated "trade" (cf. Gen. 23:16), but its use in Gen. 34:10 implies a meaning of "travel about freely." It is possible that it refers specifically to returning to Egypt for more grain when necessary (cf. Gen. 43:2).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: GENESIS 42:35-38
35Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. 36Their father Jacob said to them, "You have bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me." 37Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you." 38But Jacob said, "My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow."
42:35-38 The family discusses the situation and what to do. They decide to do nothing for the moment.
42:35 The difference between Gen. 42:27 and Gen. 42:35 is "one" of them in Gen. 42:27 and "they" in Gen. 42:35. This is not a doublet, but an intensification of the problem that had frightened them earlier (cf. Gen. 42:28).
▣ "dismayed" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT)
42:36 "You have bereaved me of my children; Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me" Notice that Jacob takes the occurrences as a personal affront. There seems to be an implied accusation that the brothers were somehow involved in the loss of Joseph.
42:37 "Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying" This is really a dumb offer! Why would Jacob, because of the loss of his sons, kill his grandsons?! It was an attempt by Reuben to assure his father, but it did quite the opposite. Jacob would wait until
42:38 "Sheol" This is the OT term used for the place of the dead. The doctrine of the afterlife is somewhat veiled in the OT, but it is obvious that they believed in an afterlife where families were together.
It is true that it was a shadowy, joyless state, but a conscious state nonetheless. The term Sheol is translated by the term Hades in the NT. Apparently all human beings went to this holding place of the dead. For that reason the rabbis speculate that there is a righteous part and a wicked part of Hades.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEAD, WHERE ARE THEY?, I. B. and II. B.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are
responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You,
the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
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