Genesis 42 18

Genesis 42:18 kjv

And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

Genesis 42:18 nkjv

Then Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God:

Genesis 42:18 niv

On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

Genesis 42:18 esv

On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

Genesis 42:18 nlt

On the third day Joseph said to them, "I am a God-fearing man. If you do as I say, you will live.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 18 meaning

Genesis chapter 42 verse 18 records Joseph's decisive instruction to his brothers, on the third day of their confinement, presenting a path to life and revealing the moral foundation of his actions. This statement underscores his intent to maintain justice, tempered by mercy, derived from his fear of God, as he orchestrated a complex test of his brothers' character and sincerity amidst the famine.

Genesis 42 18 Context

Genesis chapter 42 begins with Jacob dispatching ten of his sons to Egypt to buy grain due to the severe famine that gripped all lands, while Benjamin remained at home. Upon arrival, they unknowingly bowed before their brother Joseph, who, as the powerful Egyptian governor overseeing the grain supply, immediately recognized them but kept his identity hidden. Joseph accused them of being spies, questioned them about their family, and then imprisoned them for three days. Verse 18 marks a critical turning point on that third day. Joseph had subjected his brothers to a period of fear and reflection, and this statement offers them a specific, albeit conditional, way to prove their honesty and return home with grain, thus initiating the unfolding of Joseph’s long-term plan for reconciliation and divine purpose.

Genesis 42 18 Word analysis

• And Joseph said: The verb "said" (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer) indicates a direct utterance. Joseph is in a position of authority, dictating terms.
• to them: Refers to his ten brothers, who are still unaware of his true identity. This sets up the dramatic tension.
• the third day: (יוֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁי - yom ha-shelishi). In biblical narrative, the "third day" frequently signifies a period of suspense, culmination, or revelation, often leading to a significant turning point, a new beginning, or rescue (e.g., resurrection motifs, Jonah, etc.). Here, it marks the end of their confinement and the start of Joseph's concrete test. It also shows a measured approach rather than immediate release or further harshness.
• “Do this: (זֹאת עֲשׂוּ - zot asu - "this do"). An imperative command, implying urgency and a non-negotiable directive. "This" refers to the specific instruction Joseph is about to give: leaving one brother (Simeon) as surety while the others return for Benjamin.
• and live: (וִחְיוּ - viḥyu - "and you shall live"). A waw-consecutive future, expressing a direct consequence. Their life, survival, and the well-being of their families back home are conditional upon their obedience. This links their actions to a literal outcome of life, especially in a time of famine and a test from a powerful governor. It emphasizes the dire stakes.
• for I fear God.”: (כִּי אֲנִי יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים - ki ani yare Elohim - "for I am one who fears God"). This is the theological and moral anchor of Joseph’s actions.
  • I fear: (yare - ירא). This Hebrew term signifies not just a sense of terror, but profound reverence, awe, and a submissive respect towards God. It implies a desire to obey His commands and a deep understanding of His justice and righteousness.
  • God: (Elohim - אֱלֹהִים). The general Hebrew term for God, often used for the universal God, particularly in contexts dealing with all humanity or nations, implying His sovereignty over Egyptians and Canaanites alike.
  • Significance: Joseph proclaims his adherence to a divine moral code. This is critical for his brothers because it signals that despite his severe actions, his motives are not arbitrary malice but are rooted in a righteous fear of a higher power. This contrasts sharply with the lawless behavior they demonstrated when they sold him. It assures them, and us, that his test has a just foundation and a purpose beyond simple retribution. It also potentially prepares his brothers for the revelation that their brother, whom they thought dead, is the one before them. It aligns Joseph's conduct with biblical examples of righteous governance.

Words-group analysis

• "Do this and live": This phrase functions as a covenantal-like condition. It’s an ultimatum that also presents a path to redemption, similar to God's own "do and live" directives in the Mosaic Law (e.g., Lev 18:5). It encapsulates both warning and promise.
• "for I fear God": This powerful declaration defines Joseph’s character and sets the tone for his leadership. It's a statement of moral integrity and religious devotion. It’s also an early revelation of his character to his brothers, perhaps sowing the seeds of their understanding of why they are being dealt with so justly, yet severely. It elevates his actions from mere human strategy to being divinely informed.

Genesis 42 18 Bonus section

The mention of the "third day" can be seen as an embedded thematic element, a literary device common in biblical narratives to signify periods of critical change or divine intervention. While not directly predictive of future resurrection events, its recurrent presence suggests moments where a significant spiritual or physical shift occurs after a period of trial or gestation. Joseph's declaration here is the hinge upon which the brothers' entire narrative shifts, moving them from despair to a path of potential restoration and ultimate reunification with their full family. Joseph's commitment to fearing God, even in a foreign land and a position of immense secular power, serves as an antithesis to the opportunistic and deceitful behavior often exhibited by those without such a foundation, directly contrasting with the deceptive and fearful choices his brothers made years earlier when selling him. His public declaration also serves to instill a degree of trust in his otherwise terrifying demeanor for his brothers, creating a subtle opening for genuine repentance and transformation rather than mere forced compliance.

Genesis 42 18 Commentary

On the third day of their distressing confinement, Joseph’s declaration in Gen 42:18 marked a pivot point in the unfolding narrative. His demand, "Do this and live," presented a strict, life-or-death ultimatum, reflecting the gravity of the famine and his brothers’ suspected espionage. Crucially, he qualified his seemingly harsh actions by stating, "for I fear God." This profound assertion immediately elevated his conduct above mere human cunning or vindictiveness. It conveyed that his testing of them was not driven by personal vendetta, but by a divine standard of justice and righteousness, an attribute deeply embedded in ancient Israelite faith. Joseph’s "fear of God" was the ethical backbone of his authority and provided a guarantee of ultimate fairness, even in the midst of severe trial. This statement provided a moral compass for his actions and foreshadowed the eventual reconciliation built on God’s sovereign plan.