Genesis 42:15 kjv

Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

Genesis 42:15 nkjv

In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Genesis 42:15 niv

And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Genesis 42:15 esv

By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Genesis 42:15 nlt

This is how I will test your story. I swear by the life of Pharaoh that you will never leave Egypt unless your youngest brother comes here!

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 15 Meaning

This verse states Joseph's demand of his brothers, acting as the Egyptian viceroy, to prove their truthfulness by having their youngest brother brought to Egypt. It serves as a severe test to verify their honesty, determine if they were indeed spies as he accused, and ultimately, to gauge their transformation concerning their familial loyalty and treatment of a favored younger brother. Joseph uses a potent Egyptian oath to emphasize the non-negotiable nature of this condition.

Genesis 42 15 Context

Genesis chapter 42 finds Jacob and his family facing a severe famine across the land. Hearing that there is grain in Egypt, Jacob sends his ten older sons to purchase provisions, retaining only Benjamin, his youngest and full brother to Joseph, at home. Unknown to them, Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery years prior, is now the powerful viceroy of Egypt in charge of the food supply. Joseph immediately recognizes his brothers but keeps his identity concealed, accusing them of being spies. He then establishes a severe test to uncover their true character and motives. This verse outlines the precise, non-negotiable condition Joseph places upon them to prove their innocence: the return of their youngest brother to Egypt.

Genesis 42 15 Word analysis

• Hereby (Heb. בְּזֹאת, bə·zōṯ): This adverbial phrase means "by this," or "in this manner." It points to the preceding accusation and introduces the method by which Joseph will verify the truth of their statements or the nature of their character. It implies a definitive test or a "sign" that will confirm their integrity.
• you shall be proved (Heb. תִּבָּחֲנוּ, tibbā·ḥănū): Derived from the verb בָּחַן (bāḥan), meaning "to test," "examine," "scrutinize," "discern," or "refine." It signifies a rigorous process of investigation to ascertain genuineness or truth. This verb is frequently used in scripture to describe God testing humanity, nations, or hearts (e.g., Ps 11:5, Jer 17:10). Joseph, in his powerful Egyptian role, is positioned here as an instrument of this providential testing, mimicking a divine attribute to determine their inner disposition.
• By the life of Pharaoh (Heb. חֵי פַרְעֹה, ḥê par‘ōh): This is a strong and common Egyptian oath. Ḥê translates to "life" or "by the life of." Joseph uses this oath, not as an expression of personal allegiance to Pharaoh (as he served the one true God), but as an official of the Egyptian court, signifying the absolute and binding nature of his decree within the legal and cultural framework of Egypt. It lends immense gravity and authority to his words, emphasizing that his command is irrevocable and carries the full weight of the highest human authority they know.
• you shall not go forth hence (Heb. לֹא תֵצְאוּ מִזֶּה, lō’ ṯēṣə’ū mizzê): A clear, definitive prohibition, meaning they will not leave their present location or imprisonment. "Hence" (mizzê) signifies "from here" or "from this place." It asserts their immediate captivity and the stringent condition for their freedom.
• except (Heb. כִּי אִם, kî ’im): This conjunctive phrase introduces the sole, critical condition for their release. It means "unless," "only if," or "but only by." It makes the following statement the single gateway to their liberation.
• your youngest brother come hither (Heb. בּוֹא אֲחִיכֶם הַקָּטֹן הֵנָּה, bō’ ’aḥîḵem haqqāṭōn hēnnāh): This specifies the central, pivotal demand. "Youngest brother" immediately indicates Benjamin, Joseph's full brother through Rachel. This condition serves as the ultimate test of their transformation, probing whether the jealousy and betrayal they displayed towards Joseph (Jacob's favored son then) would reemerge, or if their care for their father and Benjamin (Jacob's favored son now) would demonstrate genuine change and accountability. "Come hither" (hēnnāh) means "to this place," requiring his physical presence in Egypt.

• Words-group Analysis:
• "Hereby you shall be proved": This phrase sets the entire scene as a deliberate, searching test. Joseph's primary objective is not vengeance, but a spiritual and ethical assessment of his brothers' characters, reminiscent of how God often tests His people.
• "By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go forth hence": This declaration highlights the immense pressure and the stakes involved. The powerful oath underscores Joseph's absolute authority and the perceived finality of his decision from the brothers' perspective, driving home the dire consequences of non-compliance. It solidifies his persona as an Egyptian official.
• "except your youngest brother come hither": This is the crux of Joseph's strategy. By demanding Benjamin, he targets the sensitive areas of fraternal love and filial responsibility, areas where the brothers previously failed him and brought deep grief to their father Jacob. This requirement compels them to confront their past actions and demonstrate a changed heart, paving the way for eventual reconciliation and redemption.

Genesis 42 15 Bonus section

• Joseph's acting here is not only for his brothers' sake but also demonstrates his deep integration and command within the Egyptian system. He navigates Egyptian custom with perfect execution while simultaneously pursuing a profound familial and spiritual agenda.
• The very nature of this test foreshadows the later powerful intercession by Judah (Gen 44), demonstrating a complete reversal of his past complicity in Joseph's fate. This shift in Judah's character is vital for the leadership of the tribe from which the Messiah would descend.
• This verse initiates a chain of events that exposes the brothers' shared guilt and fear (Gen 42:21-22), compelling them to remember their past sin concerning Joseph, which is a key step towards repentance and their subsequent transformation.

Genesis 42 15 Commentary

Genesis 42:15 captures the turning point in Joseph's plan to test his brothers. His use of the Egyptian oath, "By the life of Pharaoh," adds layers of legal weight and dramatic effect to his demand, effectively reinforcing his adopted Egyptian identity to his unsuspecting siblings. The condition for their liberation—bringing their youngest brother—is meticulously chosen to penetrate to the heart of their past transgressions. Joseph seeks to understand if the envy and deceit that led to his own sale years ago have given way to true compassion and responsibility. This seemingly harsh ultimatum is a providential step towards exposing their guilt, eliciting their repentance, and orchestrating the profound family reconciliation central to God's covenant plan for Israel.