Genesis 42 11

Genesis 42:11 kjv

We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

Genesis 42:11 nkjv

We are all one man's sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies."

Genesis 42:11 niv

We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies."

Genesis 42:11 esv

We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies."

Genesis 42:11 nlt

We are all brothers ? members of the same family. We are honest men, sir! We are not spies!"

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 11 meaning

The brothers of Joseph, under duress, assert their genuine and unified purpose for coming to Egypt. They vehemently deny being spies, emphasizing their shared lineage from a single father and proclaiming their inherent honesty, positioning themselves as humble servants rather than hostile infiltrators. Their declaration is a plea for innocence and truthfulness in the face of Joseph's grave accusation.

Genesis 42 11 Context

The immediate context of Genesis 42:11 is the brothers' initial encounter with Joseph in Egypt, years after they sold him into slavery. A severe famine has gripped the land of Canaan, compelling Jacob to send his ten eldest sons to Egypt to purchase grain. Unbeknownst to them, the powerful Egyptian governor with whom they must deal is their own brother, Joseph, whom they left for dead. Joseph, recognizing them immediately but feigning ignorance, accuses them of being spies to test their character and to prompt them to confront their past actions. The brothers' desperate plea in this verse is their immediate defense against this life-threatening accusation. The broader chapter context highlights Joseph's elaborate plan to manipulate events, using the accusation of espionage as a means to force the brothers to reveal the truth about their family, particularly about Benjamin, and ultimately to bring about their repentance. The historical backdrop is an agrarian society vulnerable to famine, where foreign visitors were often viewed with suspicion, making the charge of espionage particularly potent.

Genesis 42 11 Word analysis

• We are all: This emphasizes a collective identity and shared purpose. It asserts that none of them individually, nor as a group, harbors hidden or malicious intentions. It reflects a desire to appear unified and transparent.
• one man's sons (Hebrew: בְּנֵי אִישׁ אֶחָד, b'nei ish echad):
  • b'nei (בְּנֵי): means "sons of" or "children of," signifying direct lineage.
  • ish echad (אִישׁ אֶחָד): "one man."
  • Significance: This declaration stresses their legitimate family origin from Jacob. It points to a common, honest purpose as brothers of one household, implicitly distinguishing them from disparate individuals who might form a spy ring. It's an appeal to their fundamental identity and the sanctity of their family bond, which for them, was a powerful societal descriptor of one's character and intentions. This statement indirectly contrasts with their past fractured relationship where they treated Joseph differently.
• we are true men (Hebrew: כֵנִים אֲנַחְנוּ, kenim anachnu):
  • kenim (כֵנִים): from the root kun (כּוּן), meaning "to establish," "to be firm," or "to be righteous," "honest," "sincere," or "upright."
  • anachnu (אֲנַחְנוּ): "we," the emphatic personal pronoun.
  • Significance: This is their core claim against the charge of spying. They are asserting their integrity, probity, and an unwavering commitment to honesty. They claim to be men of steadfast character, which is the antithesis of a deceitful spy. This term conveys moral uprightness and trustworthiness, a virtue highly valued in the ancient Near East.
• thy servants (Hebrew: עֲבָדֶיךָ, 'avadeykha):
  • 'avadeykha: "your servants," from 'eved (עֶבֶד), meaning "servant," often implying submission and dependence.
  • Significance: This is a respectful and humble form of address, characteristic of inferiors speaking to a superior. By using this term, they implicitly deny any intent to dominate or undermine Joseph's authority. It communicates peaceful intent and a posture of seeking favor or aid, not plotting mischief.
• are no spies (Hebrew: לֹא מְרַגְּלִים, lo meraggelim):
  • lo (לֹא): the negation "no" or "not."
  • meraggelim (מְרַגְּלִים): "spies," from the root ragal (רָגַל), meaning "to walk," "to tread," but specifically "to spy out" or "to go about for espionage."
  • Significance: This is a direct and forceful refutation of Joseph's central accusation. The term "spies" implies stealth, deceit, hostile reconnaissance, and seditious intent, all of which would carry severe, possibly capital, penalties. Their explicit denial underscores the grave danger they faced and their desperate attempt to clear their name.

Words-group analysis:

• "We are all one man's sons; we are true men": This two-part assertion simultaneously grounds their collective identity in shared, legitimate paternity and anchors their character in moral integrity. It's a statement of inherent honesty and belonging, aiming to convey trust and disarm suspicion based on their transparent origin and conduct.
• "thy servants are no spies": This phrase combines a humble acknowledgement of Joseph's authority with an absolute denial of his damaging charge. By referring to themselves as "servants," they highlight their subordinate, non-threatening role, reinforcing their plea of not being "spies"—a profession synonymous with threat and deception.

Genesis 42 11 Bonus section

The phrase "one man's sons" also indirectly serves Joseph's plan, as it necessitates Benjamin's existence and future mention, providing Joseph a crucial lever to test his brothers' changed hearts regarding their youngest sibling, in contrast to their past abandonment of himself. The fear of being wrongly accused here sets a powerful contrast with their earlier disregard for Joseph's suffering. The immediate and categorical denial, followed by increasingly desperate explanations, demonstrates their lack of control and increasing vulnerability under Joseph's scrutiny, making them ripe for the difficult self-reflection that is to come.

Genesis 42 11 Commentary

Genesis 42:11 captures the profound fear and immediate defensive posture of Joseph's brothers when confronted by their unrecognized sibling, who holds immense power over their lives. Their immediate defense rests on two pillars: shared family identity and claimed integrity. By declaring themselves "one man's sons," they appeal to a natural bond and common purpose, implying they have no diverse or malicious hidden agendas. Their self-designation as "true men" directly confronts the implication of deceit that being a spy entails. This desperate cry for truth ironically comes from men who had previously engaged in deception by selling their brother. Joseph's accusation, though false at this moment, serves as a powerful divinely orchestrated test, forcing them into a position where their survival depends on their honesty and accountability—qualities they sorely lacked in their past interaction with Joseph. This verse marks the beginning of Joseph's strategic psychological process to lead his brothers to a place of remorse, confession, and reconciliation, all under God's overarching sovereign plan to preserve the family through the impending famine.