Genesis 42:17 kjv

And he put them all together into ward three days.

Genesis 42:17 nkjv

So he put them all together in prison three days.

Genesis 42:17 niv

And he put them all in custody for three days.

Genesis 42:17 esv

And he put them all together in custody for three days.

Genesis 42:17 nlt

So Joseph put them all in prison for three days.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 17 Meaning

Genesis 42:17 states, "And he put them all together into ward three days." This verse describes Joseph's immediate action after accusing his ten older brothers of being spies in Egypt. He had them apprehended and confined to a prison or guardhouse for a period of three days. This act served as a test and a means to exert control, forcing them to reckon with their predicament and providing time for Joseph to formulate his next steps in revealing himself and achieving his divine purpose.

Genesis 42 17 Context

Genesis chapter 42 opens during a severe famine affecting both Egypt and Canaan, prompting Jacob's sons to travel to Egypt to buy grain. They unknowingly appear before Joseph, who, as the governor, recognizes them, though they do not recognize him. Joseph recalls his youthful dreams (Gen 37) in which his brothers bowed down to him. Instead of revealing himself immediately, he chooses to test them. He accuses them of being spies, setting the stage for a period of psychological distress and self-examination for the brothers. This act of placing them "into ward" for three days is the initial, concrete step in Joseph's intricate plan to discern their true character, to see if they had repented from their past cruelty, and ultimately, to bring about the divine purpose for which he was elevated. It is a period of intense reflection and fear for the brothers, as their lives and the welfare of their families depend entirely on this powerful Egyptian governor.

Genesis 42 17 Word analysis

• And he put: The Hebrew verb is wayye'esor (וַיֶּאֱסֹר), which means "and he bound" or "he imprisoned." It implies a decisive action of taking them into custody. This is an active and authoritative act by Joseph.
• them all together: The Hebrew 'ōtām kullām (אֹתָם כֻּלָּם) emphasizes the inclusivity. No one was exempted; all ten brothers were subjected to the same fate, highlighting their collective responsibility and Joseph's thoroughness in testing every single one involved in his past suffering.
• into ward: The Hebrew word is lᵉmišmār (לְמִשְׁמָר). Mishmar generally refers to a place of confinement, custody, or imprisonment. It can also imply a guarded place or a watch-post. It's a general term for a place of restraint, not necessarily a dungeon, but a place where one's freedom is severely limited and under strict watch. This confinement serves as a means of control and to induce distress and reflection.
• three days: The phrase šəlōšet yāmîm (שְׁלֹשֶׁת יָמִים) carries significant theological weight in biblical narratives. A period of three days often precedes a momentous revelation, a major turning point, or a divine intervention (e.g., God's call to Moses after three days, Jonah in the fish for three days, Jesus' resurrection on the third day). Here, it builds suspense, creates fear and anxiety for the brothers, and provides them with time for internal deliberation and repentance, without leading to death or utter despair. It also shows a strategic patience on Joseph's part.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And he put them all together into ward": This phrase depicts Joseph asserting complete control over his brothers, treating them as collective suspects rather than individual supplicants. The use of "all together" signifies that the prior familial relationships and distinctions were momentarily irrelevant in their new roles as potential spies under a governor’s authority. This uniform treatment ensures no brother escapes the experience, intensifying their collective sense of shared consequence for past actions.
• "three days": This specific duration is not arbitrary. It provides sufficient time for psychological impact—fear, regret, and helplessness to sink in—without being so long as to cause permanent harm or total despondency. Biblically, it often suggests a time of intense anticipation or a liminal state leading to a profound transformation, resolution, or new beginning. For the brothers, this period was crucial for breaking their stubborn pride and recognizing divine judgment in their distress, preparing them for their eventual confession.

Genesis 42 17 Bonus section

The "three days" motif in Genesis 42:17 echoes throughout the Scriptures, often signifying a period of trial, purification, preparation, or expectation leading to a significant divine intervention or resurrection/restoration. For example, Noah's ark experience, the call for Pharaoh to release Israel for a three-day journey (Ex 5:3), and particularly Jonah's time in the fish. This duration allows for a deep emotional and spiritual transformation, emphasizing that God's plan unfolds with a deliberate, sometimes delayed, precision. Joseph, as an agent of God's providence, strategically utilizes this timeframe, causing his brothers to suffer a consequence for their actions and bringing them to a point of spiritual clarity. The "ward" itself symbolizes their past spiritual and relational captivity—imprisoned by guilt and fear—now being exposed to the light of truth under Joseph's careful guidance. This physical confinement precipitates a psychological release of suppressed guilt, demonstrating how God can use even harsh circumstances to achieve redemptive purposes in people's lives.

Genesis 42 17 Commentary

Genesis 42:17 marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's reconciliation plan. By imprisoning his brothers, Joseph instigates a strategic test that serves multiple purposes beyond merely assessing their honesty about being spies. Firstly, it induces fear and a sense of powerlessness, similar to what he experienced when he was sold into slavery. This distress triggers their memories of their past sin against Joseph, prompting internal confession and repentance, which is evident in their words in Gen 42:21. Secondly, the three-day confinement period intensifies their predicament, pushing them towards collective introspection and unity in their suffering, contrasting with their past fractured and hostile dynamic. Thirdly, it is a demonstration of Joseph's sovereign control over the situation, subtly mirroring God's own sovereignty in orchestrating events. Joseph is not acting out of revenge but with a deliberate, calculated aim: to test their hearts, elicit repentance, bring Benjamin to Egypt, and ultimately reveal himself in a way that fulfills God's purposes for their family and nation during the famine. This experience, therefore, functions as a form of divine discipline mediated through Joseph, intended to transform hardened hearts and set the stage for genuine family restoration.