Genesis 42:24 kjv

And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 42:24 nkjv

And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 42:24 niv

He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

Genesis 42:24 esv

Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 42:24 nlt

Now he turned away from them and began to weep. When he regained his composure, he spoke to them again. Then he chose Simeon from among them and had him tied up right before their eyes.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 24 Meaning

This verse depicts a profound moment where Joseph, having disguised his identity and spoken harshly to his brothers, momentarily turns away from them to release his overwhelming emotions by weeping. He then regains his composure, turns back to them, and resumes communication, firmly asserting his demand by publicly selecting Simeon as a hostage and binding him before their very eyes, as a guarantee that they would bring their youngest brother to Egypt. It highlights Joseph's internal conflict, torn between the stern requirements of his test and his deep-seated familial affection and pain.

Genesis 42 24 Context

Genesis chapter 42 opens with Jacob's sons traveling to Egypt to buy grain due to a severe famine gripping the land, a famine that extended across the ancient Near East, with Egypt serving as a vital granary. Unbeknownst to them, the powerful Egyptian vizier to whom they humble themselves is their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery many years prior. Joseph, recognizing them, speaks harshly and accuses them of being spies, setting a deliberate test for their character and honesty. He holds one brother, demanding they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, back with them to prove their integrity. In verse 21, the brothers, believing their suffering to be divine retribution, acknowledge their guilt regarding Joseph. This confession, which Joseph overhears (speaking through an interpreter, though he understood Hebrew), directly precedes and triggers the deep emotional response described in verse 24. Joseph's actions in this verse—his hidden weeping and the calculated binding of Simeon—are part of his intricate plan to determine if his brothers have changed, to orchestrate Benjamin's presence in Egypt, and ultimately to save his entire family during the famine. The choice of Simeon may also relate to his probable leading role alongside Levi in the violent episode concerning Dinah.

Genesis 42 24 Word analysis

• And he turned himself about from them, (וַיִּסּ֥ב מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם vayyissov me'alehem):
  • וַיִּסּ֥ב (vayyissov): From the root סָבַב (savav), meaning "to turn, go around." It denotes a deliberate action to physically rotate or remove oneself. Joseph separates himself to prevent his brothers from seeing his emotional reaction, maintaining his stern persona as the Egyptian official. This suggests a desire to control the interaction and conceal his true feelings.
  • מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֑ם (me'alehem): "From over them" or "away from them." Emphasizes a distinct separation, putting distance between himself and his brothers to prevent observation. This highlights his immediate need for privacy in a public setting.
• and wept; (וַיֵּ֖בְּךְּ vayyevekh):
  • וַיֵּ֖בְּךְּ (vayyevekh): From the root בָּכָה (bakah), "to weep, cry." This is a strong expression of emotion. Joseph’s tears reveal the intense inner turmoil, deep pain from their past actions, the complex joy of seeing them, and possibly relief or compassion welling up after hearing their confession of guilt (Gen 42:21-23). It reveals his deeply human heart despite his position of power.
• and returned to them again, (וַיָּ֤שָׁב אֲלֵהֶ֔ם vayyashav alehem):
  • וַיָּ֤שָׁב (vayyashav): From the root שׁוּב (shuv), "to turn back, return." Signifies that Joseph, after his private moment of weeping, has regained his composure and control. He resumes his position and role, ready to continue his planned testing of his brothers.
  • אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (alehem): "To them." Directing his focus and presence back to the brothers.
• and communed with them, (וַיְדַבֵּר֙ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם vaydabber alehem):
  • וַיְדַבֵּר֙ (vaydabber): From the root דָּבַר (dabar), "to speak." Implies purposeful and authoritative communication. After the emotional release, Joseph continues to lay out his terms for their release, maintaining his official tone and not letting his inner feelings interfere with his strategy.
• and took from them Simeon, (וַיִּקַּ֞ח מֵאִתָּ֤ם אֶת־שִׁמְעוֹן֙ vayyikach me'ittam et-shim'on):
  • וַיִּקַּ֞ח (vayyikach): From the root לָקַח (lakach), "to take." A decisive action, a seizing or claiming.
  • אֶת־שִׁמְעוֹן֙ (et-shim'on): "Simeon." Joseph’s deliberate choice of Simeon is significant. Simeon (and Levi) were responsible for the violent massacre of the Shechemites (Gen 34), a brutal act that likely remained vivid in Joseph’s memory as a demonstration of their family's volatile tendencies. Choosing him could be seen as a targeted action, putting pressure on a particularly responsible or aggressive brother.
• and bound him before their eyes. (וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֹת֖וֹ לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם vayye'sor oto le'eineihem):
  • וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר (vayye'sor): From the root אָסַר (asar), "to bind, imprison, shackle." This is a public act of taking a hostage. It’s a firm demonstration of power and an irreversible commitment to his demand.
  • לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם (le'eineihem): "Before their eyes," "in their sight." This emphasizes the public nature of the act. Joseph wanted his brothers to fully witness the severity of the consequence for not obeying his command, ensuring they understood the grave situation and their commitment to returning with Benjamin. It was meant to reinforce fear and motivation.

Words-group analysis:

• "And he turned himself about from them, and wept": This phrase powerfully illustrates Joseph's struggle between his external role as a harsh Egyptian ruler and his deeply compassionate human identity as their brother. The hidden weeping highlights the sincerity and intensity of his emotions, showing he was not hardened by his years of suffering but still carried love and sorrow for his family. It also shows a wise, controlled response to an emotional moment.
• "and returned to them again, and communed with them": This immediate follow-up demonstrates Joseph's strategic resolve and emotional discipline. He allows himself a private moment of emotional release, then effectively compartmentalizes to return to his official duties and execute his intricate plan, ensuring the test proceeds without revealing his true identity.
• "and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes": This culminating action is the precise and firm execution of Joseph's strategy. By taking Simeon and doing so publicly, Joseph cements the terms of their release and ensures their compliance. The public nature serves to deepen the brothers' distress and conviction, furthering Joseph's goal of bringing about genuine repentance and family reconciliation. It is an act of stern mercy.

Genesis 42 24 Bonus section

The narrative technique of revealing Joseph's private weeping, hidden from his brothers but known to the reader, builds immense dramatic tension and profound empathy for Joseph. It casts him not as a vengeful taskmaster, but as a wise leader driven by compassion and a divine mission. This pattern of Joseph being overcome with emotion and needing to retreat to weep occurs multiple times (Gen 43:30, Gen 45:2, 14, 15, Gen 46:29), emphasizing the constant emotional toll and profound love at the heart of his interactions with his family. Joseph’s careful manipulation of events to test his brothers and bring about their repentance without revealing his true feelings too soon is a masterful display of both human wisdom and divine orchestration, mirroring God’s own often-hidden workings in challenging circumstances for a greater redemptive purpose.

Genesis 42 24 Commentary

Genesis 42:24 provides a poignant glimpse into Joseph's character, revealing the depth of his emotions beneath the stern façade he presented as Egypt's vizier. His turning away to weep is not a sign of weakness but of immense inner strength and tenderness, as he wrestles with the complex blend of past hurt, present strategy, and burgeoning compassion for his brothers. He had just heard their conscience-stricken confession of guilt, a clear indication of a changed heart which deeply affected him. This act of weeping humanizes Joseph, reminding us of his profound love for his family and the pain of their separation, while still adhering to the redemptive purpose God had laid out for him. His subsequent return and binding of Simeon, an undoubtedly severe act, were essential for his grand strategy—to ensure his brothers would bring Benjamin and ultimately to test their transformed loyalty and familial care. This pivotal moment underscores divine providence, showing how God works through human emotions and calculated plans to bring about His perfect will, turning betrayal into a path for national salvation and family reconciliation.