Genesis 42:23 kjv
And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
Genesis 42:23 nkjv
But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.
Genesis 42:23 niv
They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
Genesis 42:23 esv
They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
Genesis 42:23 nlt
Of course, they didn't know that Joseph understood them, for he had been speaking to them through an interpreter.
Genesis 42 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 37:32-33 | ...Jacob recognized it and said, "It is my son's tunic; a wild beast has devoured him!" | Jacob deceived by brothers; foreshadows their current deception. |
| Gen 41:16 | Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." | Joseph attributes wisdom to God, contrasting his brothers' self-focused guilt. |
| Gen 41:33-39 | ...seek out a discerning and wise man...Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you..." | Joseph's God-given wisdom and understanding, now used to comprehend his brothers. |
| Gen 42:21-22 | Then they said to one another, "Alas, we are guilty in regard to our brother..." | Immediate context, brothers confessing their sin aloud, overheard by Joseph. |
| Gen 45:5 | ...do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. | Joseph's later revelation of God's overarching plan despite their wicked intentions. |
| Gen 50:15-18 | When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge against us...?" | Brothers' continued guilt and fear even after Jacob's death, highlighting long-term impact. |
| Gen 50:20 | As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good... | Affirmation of divine sovereignty overriding human evil, fulfilling the current scenario. |
| Ex 4:15-16 | You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you... | Role of Aaron as interpreter/mouthpiece for Moses; concept of speaking through another. |
| Num 32:23 | But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. | Principle that sin will eventually be exposed and confronted, evident in brothers' distress. |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Brothers' public confession, even unknowingly to Joseph, a step towards true repentance. |
| Psa 32:3-5 | When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long...I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not hide my iniquity... | David's experience of concealed guilt contrasting with confession; parallels brothers' torment. |
| Isa 28:11 | For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people. | God speaking through foreign/unfamiliar means; here, Joseph's Egyptian persona. |
| Isa 45:15 | Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior! | God's methods can involve hiddenness or concealed identity for His purposes. |
| Jer 29:11 | For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope." | God's ultimate good purpose behind difficult and deceptive situations. |
| Dan 1:4 | young men in whom was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom...who understood knowledge, and had understanding of science, and such as had ability to serve... | Daniel's group having various skills, including understanding diverse languages/dialects. |
| Luke 19:42-44 | ...if you, even you, had known on this day of salvation! But now they are hidden from your eyes. | Principle of concealed truth from those who should have known; links to brothers' blindness. |
| Luke 24:16 | But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. | Disciples unaware of Jesus' true identity post-resurrection, mirroring brothers' blindness. |
| John 20:14-16 | When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and did not know that it was Jesus. | Mary Magdalene's temporary unawareness of resurrected Jesus, parallel to Joseph's disguise. |
| 1 Cor 14:2 | For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. | Emphasizes need for interpretation in language differences for comprehension. |
| 1 Tim 2:5 | For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, Christ Jesus... | Concept of a mediator between two parties; physical interpreter contrasts spiritual mediator. |
| Heb 4:13 | And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. | God's absolute knowledge, contrasting the brothers' unawareness of Joseph's knowledge. |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Reinforces the brothers experiencing consequences of their past actions. |
Genesis 42 verses
Genesis 42 23 Meaning
Genesis 42:23 describes the crucial dynamic between Joseph and his brothers during their first encounter in Egypt. The brothers were entirely unaware that Joseph, their estranged sibling, fully understood their spoken Hebrew, as he maintained a pretense of only understanding Egyptian through the use of an interpreter. This verse highlights Joseph's calculated deception, his perfect comprehension of their conversations revealing their collective remorse over their past actions against him, and their ignorance of his true identity and understanding. It sets the stage for God's providential unfolding of reconciliation and the preservation of Jacob's family.
Genesis 42 23 Context
Genesis chapter 42 finds Joseph, now the powerful vizier of Egypt, encountering his older brothers for the first time in over two decades. They have traveled from Canaan to Egypt seeking food during a severe famine, unwittingly bowing before the very brother they had sold into slavery. Joseph immediately recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Maintaining his disguise and hidden identity, Joseph orchestrates a series of trials and accusations, beginning by accusing them of being spies. He observes their reactions, their internal deliberations, and their emerging remorse regarding their past treatment of him. This particular verse, Genesis 42:23, details how Joseph could meticulously observe their genuine emotional and psychological state because they were openly discussing their sin in Hebrew, assuming he could not understand, thanks to the charade of an Egyptian interpreter. This setup allowed Joseph to verify their character change and initiated a process of humbling and testing designed to lead them to repentance and eventual reconciliation, orchestrated by God's overarching plan for the family of Israel.
Genesis 42 23 Word analysis
- And they: Refers specifically to Joseph's ten older brothers. This emphasizes their collective nature as a group previously complicit in their sin against Joseph. Their unity in conversation, unaware of being fully understood, underscores their present vulnerability.
- did not know: (Hebrew: lo yad'u - לֹ֣א יָדְעוּ֙). Signifies a complete lack of awareness or perception on the brothers' part. They genuinely believed Joseph was an Egyptian official who required translation. This highlights the effectiveness of Joseph's elaborate ruse and the deep veil over their perception, spiritually as well as literally. Their spiritual blindness to God's hand in their current plight is echoed by their literal blindness to Joseph's true identity.
- that Joseph: Refers to the hidden figure, the key agent of the divine plan. His actions, though appearing harsh, are part of a redemptive process initiated by God. The name "Joseph" itself means "he adds" or "he takes away," holding a prophetic connection to his role in preservation.
- understood them: (Hebrew: shome'a otam - שֹׁמֵ֥עַ אֹתָֽם). Literally means "was hearing them" or "understood what they said." This emphasizes direct auditory comprehension without translation. It underscores Joseph's proficiency in his native tongue, Hebrew, and his keen attentiveness to their every word. He wasn't just understanding; he was keenly listening. This silent act of listening allowed him insight into their hearts.
- for there was an interpreter: (Hebrew: ha-meleetz - הַמֵּלִיץ). An official, usually Egyptian, whose job was to translate between the brothers (who spoke Hebrew) and Joseph (who pretended only to speak Egyptian). This interpreter was a deliberate prop in Joseph's plan, providing a seemingly legitimate reason for the language barrier, thus preserving his disguise and allowing the brothers to speak freely in his presence, assuming privacy. The interpreter serves as a literal and figurative barrier that Joseph created.
- between them: (Hebrew: beynēhem - בֵּינֹתָֽם). Positions the interpreter as a mediator or bridge, yet paradoxically in this context, as a means of further concealment for Joseph. This spatial detail emphasizes the calculated distance Joseph maintained, allowing him to be present yet appear distant and foreign. It underscores the profound disconnect between Joseph's true understanding and the brothers' perception.
Genesis 42 23 Bonus section
The pretense of using an interpreter was not merely to hide Joseph's identity but was also a significant part of Joseph's 'testing' the brothers. He created an environment where they felt secure in discussing sensitive matters privately, giving him unparalleled insight into their remorse and character development. This scenario demonstrates Joseph's blend of wisdom, emotional restraint, and a clear understanding of human psychology, all ultimately guided by divine providence. It showcases God's intricate work behind seemingly human deception, where seemingly manipulative actions served a redemptive purpose, bringing to light hidden sins and leading to genuine repentance and forgiveness, crucial for the continuity of the covenant lineage. This careful observation allowed Joseph to confirm God's working in their hearts before revealing himself, ensuring the foundation for future trust and reconciliation was genuine.
Genesis 42 23 Commentary
Genesis 42:23 is a poignant moment in the narrative, revealing the profound depth of Joseph's strategy and the brothers' vulnerability. Joseph's feigned incomprehension, aided by the interpreter, allowed him to access the raw, unadulterated truth of his brothers' inner turmoil. Their lament, recorded in the preceding verses, directly attributes their suffering to their past sin against him. This wasn't merely cunning; it was a deeply insightful and providential method for Joseph to assess their repentance. He could discern if their hearts had truly changed, listening to their guilt and fear in their own tongue. This hidden comprehension also allowed Joseph to maintain his emotional composure and proceed with God's intricate plan without prematurely revealing himself. It highlights the divine hand operating through human shrewdness, transforming a history of betrayal into a future of reconciliation and salvation for Jacob's household, preparing them for a deeper relationship with the covenant God. The irony of their open confession to a perceived stranger underscores how sin can gnaw at the conscience until it is openly voiced, even if not fully to the right recipient.