Genesis 42:16 kjv

Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

Genesis 42:16 nkjv

Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!"

Genesis 42:16 niv

Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"

Genesis 42:16 esv

Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies."

Genesis 42:16 nlt

One of you must go and get your brother. I'll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we'll find out whether or not your story is true. By the life of Pharaoh, if it turns out that you don't have a younger brother, then I'll know you are spies."

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 16 Meaning

Genesis 42:16 conveys the ultimatum Joseph presents to his brothers, whom he, disguised, accuses of being spies. He demands one brother return to Canaan to fetch their youngest brother, Benjamin, as proof of their story. The remaining brothers are to be held in prison. This is a severe test of their words and character, designed to ascertain their truthfulness, particularly regarding their last brother, or else confirm Joseph's accusation that they are indeed spies against Egypt, a charge he underscores with a solemn oath.

Genesis 42 16 Context

Genesis chapter 42 opens with Jacob sending his sons, excluding Benjamin, to Egypt to buy grain because of a severe famine in Canaan. Unbeknownst to them, the powerful viceroy they must appeal to is their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery years prior. Joseph immediately recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Remembering his youthful dreams of his brothers bowing before him, Joseph chooses to test them rather than immediately reveal himself. He speaks harshly to them, accusing them of being spies, and refuses to believe their denial. Verse 16 is part of the test he devises, aiming to prove their truthfulness regarding their family's size and integrity, specifically concerning the presence of Benjamin. This harshness, for Joseph, is not vindictiveness but a carefully orchestrated psychological and spiritual trial to see if his brothers have repented and changed, especially in their attitude towards their younger brother by Rachel. Historically, swearing by the king's life (in this case, Pharaoh's) was a solemn and binding oath in ancient Egypt, demonstrating Joseph's adoption of Egyptian customs and his unwavering resolve in the brothers' eyes.

Genesis 42 16 Word analysis

• Send (שׁלח - shalach): Implies a dispatching, a purposeful sending forth. Joseph, in his position of authority, commands an action requiring movement and agency.
• one of you (אֶחָד מִכֶּם - ʾeḥad mikkem): Emphasizes individuality within the collective. The test requires one specific brother to undertake a crucial mission, isolating responsibility.
• and let him fetch (וְיִקַּח - v'yiqqakh): "Fetch" implies bringing something or someone back. The word laqah denotes taking, grasping, or retrieving, here specifying the action of bringing Benjamin.
• your brother (אֲחִיכֶם - ʾaḥîkem): Refers to Benjamin, the missing piece of their "story" and the son whom Joseph's brothers might have neglected, just as they had neglected Joseph years before. Benjamin is crucial for Jacob and for Joseph.
• and ye shall be kept (וְאַתֶּם תֵּאָסְרוּ - v'ʾattem tēʾāsrû): "Kept" (from ʾāsar) means to be bound, imprisoned, or confined. This is the condition of their leverage, ensuring their cooperation and adding severity to the test. It implies a state of being "under restraint."
• in prison (בָּתֵּי מִשְׁמָר - battey mishmar): Literally "houses of guard" or "places of custody." This term specifies the location of their confinement, emphasizing the official and authoritative nature of Joseph's actions.
• that your words may be proved (לְבָחַן דִּבְרֵיכֶם - lĕbāḥan divrêkem): "Proved" (baḥan) means to test, examine, or discern, often used for testing metals for purity. This highlights Joseph's intention to thoroughly scrutinize their account and inner character, not just their statements.
• whether there be any truth in you (הַאֱמֶת אִתְּכֶם - haʾemet ʾittkem): "Truth" (ʾemet) refers to faithfulness, reliability, or authenticity. This phrase lays bare the core issue Joseph is testing: their integrity and honesty after their history of deceit.
• or else (וְאִם לֹא - vĕʾim loʾ): Introduces the alternative scenario, the negative outcome of the test.
• by the life of Pharaoh (חַיֵּי פַרְעֹה - ḥayê parʿoh): A common and serious oath in ancient Egypt. Joseph uses it, despite being Hebrew, to strengthen his disguise, assert his absolute authority, and demonstrate the grave seriousness of his accusation to his brothers.
• surely ye are spies (כִּי מְרַגְּלִים אַתֶּם - ki meraggelim ʾattem): "Spies" (meraggelîm) refers to secret agents or scouts, implying hostile intent and danger. This is the grave accusation that stands as the default if their story of truth is not verified by Benjamin's arrival.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother": This clause establishes the central action demanded by Joseph. It sets the condition for the brothers' freedom and is crucial for their story's verification. The specificity ("one of you") avoids collective evasion.
• "and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved": This phrase defines the terms of their detention. Imprisonment is not merely punishment but a strategic tool for leverage, a crucible for their "words" to be put to the ultimate test of reality. It forces accountability.
• "whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies": This presents a clear dichotomy with extremely high stakes. It directly challenges their integrity, forcing them to consider the consequences of dishonesty, emphasizing Joseph's resolve and the dire outcome if they fail his test. The oath reinforces the binding nature of his judgment.

Genesis 42 16 Bonus section

Joseph's seemingly harsh treatment in Gen 42:16 is not about personal revenge. It's a profound spiritual exercise aimed at provoking repentance and discerning a true change of heart in his brothers. The test about Benjamin directly confronts their past sin of abandoning Joseph, who was also Jacob's favored son, highlighting if their loyalties and love for each other had matured. Joseph's acting skills as an Egyptian ruler, including using local oaths, illustrate his complete commitment to God's purpose, despite the emotional strain it must have caused him. This situation foreshadows how God often brings difficult circumstances into our lives to test our faith and character, revealing our true spiritual state and prompting us towards repentance and reliance on Him, similar to a refiner's fire.

Genesis 42 16 Commentary

Genesis 42:16 marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's protracted test of his brothers. This verse highlights Joseph's discernment and calculated strategy. His demand for Benjamin serves multiple purposes: it tests the truthfulness of their narrative (which they had built on deceit in the past regarding Joseph himself), probes their changed character (especially their care for Benjamin, the only other son of Rachel), and sets in motion a sequence of events leading to a deeper reveal of their family dynamics. The severity of the accusation ("spies") and the weight of the oath "by the life of Pharaoh" underscore the dire circumstances. Joseph, while seemingly harsh, is ultimately seeking repentance and restoration, allowing the divine purpose to unfold—that the family of Jacob might be brought down to Egypt for preservation and the future nation of Israel might be prepared. This moment, then, is a painful yet necessary step in a process of revelation, repentance, and eventual reconciliation, all orchestrated by divine providence. It's a testament to the fact that God uses various means, even uncomfortable ones, to refine His people.