Genesis 42:10 kjv

And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

Genesis 42:10 nkjv

And they said to him, "No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.

Genesis 42:10 niv

"No, my lord," they answered. "Your servants have come to buy food.

Genesis 42:10 esv

They said to him, "No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food.

Genesis 42:10 nlt

"No, my lord!" they exclaimed. "Your servants have simply come to buy food.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 10 Meaning

Genesis 42:10 captures the immediate and desperate response of Joseph's brothers to his harsh accusation that they were spies. They emphatically deny the charge, humbly addressing Joseph as "my lord," and assert that their sole purpose in Egypt is to purchase grain due to the severe famine afflicting their land. Their statement emphasizes their non-threatening status as "servants" and their genuine, peaceful intention of merely buying food to survive.

Genesis 42 10 Context

Genesis chapter 42 opens with Jacob dispatching ten of his sons to Egypt to purchase grain, as a severe famine grips the land, and news of abundant food in Egypt had reached Canaan. He retains Benjamin, Joseph's full brother, fearing for his safety. Upon arriving in Egypt, the brothers are directed to Joseph, who, as the land's administrator, is in charge of grain distribution. They unknowingly bow down to him, fulfilling Joseph's early dreams. Joseph immediately recognizes them but treats them as strangers and speaks harshly, accusing them of being spies. Genesis 42:10 is their direct, unified, and desperate response to this false accusation, setting the stage for Joseph's elaborate test to determine their character and sincerity. The historical and cultural context underscores the importance of a strong border defense and the deep suspicion surrounding foreigners, particularly in a powerful empire like Egypt that would naturally be wary of outsiders posing threats to its security, especially during times of crisis like famine.

Genesis 42 10 Word analysis

• And they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayyom'ru): The Hebrew verb here is in the Waw-conversive imperfect, indicating a direct, immediate, and strong response. The plural form signifies a unified voice, speaking in desperation. This united front contrasts with their disunity when dealing with Joseph in the past.
• to him (אֵלָיו - elav): Directly indicating Joseph, highlighting the face-to-face confrontation, even though they were unaware of his true identity.
• No (לֹא - lo): A firm and absolute denial. This strong negation immediately refutes Joseph's serious accusation of espionage, which carried a grave penalty.
• my lord (אֲדֹנִי - adoni): A respectful and deferential term used for a superior. This form of address demonstrates their acknowledgment of Joseph's power and authority, reflecting their own perceived humble status before him, and strikingly fulfilling the initial aspect of Joseph's dreams where they would bow to him (Gen 37:7-9). It shows their genuine distress and their hope for mercy from this powerful Egyptian official.
• but (כִּי אִם - ki im): This Hebrew phrase serves to introduce a counter-assertion or a truthful qualification following a strong denial. It means "rather," "except that," or "on the contrary," emphasizing that what follows is the true purpose, directly contradicting the previous false accusation.
• your servants (עֲבָדֶיךָ - avadeykha): A self-designation expressing humility, subservience, and their low standing before Joseph, the powerful ruler. This starkly contrasts with the previous position they held in the family and their contemptuous treatment of Joseph in the past. It asserts their peaceful intent, emphasizing they are not a threat like spies would be.
• have come (בָּאוּ - ba'u): A simple statement of their arrival. Their presence is for a legitimate and pressing reason, not clandestine activities.
• to buy food (לִשְׁבֹּר אֹכֶל - lishbor okhel): The infinitive construct lishbor (from shabar) specifically means "to break" or "to buy grain." In this context, it refers to the act of purchasing provisions, specifically grain. Okhel means "food." This phrase states their undeniable, life-sustaining purpose for being in Egypt. They have come to relieve the famine's effects on their families and land.

• "No, my lord": This initial emphatic denial coupled with the respectful address immediately establishes the brothers' shock and desperate plea for innocence, highlighting the vast power differential between them and the Egyptian official they faced. It signifies their total submission and sincere desire to clear their names.
• "your servants have come to buy food": This comprehensive statement concisely communicates their true identity and purpose, directly refuting the grave accusation of being spies. It underscores their vulnerable state, their dependence on Egypt's provisions, and their entirely legitimate and peaceful intentions, emphasizing their survival as the primary motive. This phrase directly contradicts Joseph's implied accusations about their loyalty and intentions.

Genesis 42 10 Bonus section

The brothers' declaration of "No, my lord" holds an ironic mirror to their own history. Just as they stand before a powerful figure, wrongly accused and seeking to establish their credibility, they had once brutally judged their innocent brother Joseph and fabricated a story for their father, presenting him with a blood-stained coat. Now, they are the ones pleading for truth and understanding, completely unaware that their very accuser is the victim of their past deceit, who is now orchestrating events to test their hearts and determine if true change has occurred within them. This dramatic turn of events underscores the biblical principle that our actions, whether good or evil, often have unforeseen and far-reaching consequences, sometimes returning to confront us in unexpected ways, serving God's larger purpose for justice, growth, and ultimately, redemption.

Genesis 42 10 Commentary

Genesis 42:10 captures the precise moment of profound irony and deep desperation for Jacob's sons. Standing before the brother they betrayed and sold into slavery, unknowingly bowing to him as the fulfillment of his dreams, they are now unjustly accused of being spies. Their unified cry of "No, my lord" is not only a truthful denial but also an outpouring of fear and helplessness. They humble themselves, identifying as "your servants," a remarkable shift for those who once felt superior to their dreaming brother. Their claim to merely be seeking "food" highlights the dire famine forcing them from their land and their complete vulnerability to Joseph's judgment. Joseph's accusation serves as a divine tool, forcing them to confront not only the truth of their present legitimate intentions but, eventually, to confront their past actions and the long-suppressed guilt that begins to resurface. The scene perfectly encapsulates divine orchestration, where human intentions and fears unknowingly play into God's larger redemptive plan for Israel.