Genesis 42:28 kjv

And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

Genesis 42:28 nkjv

So he said to his brothers, "My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!" Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, "What is this that God has done to us?"

Genesis 42:28 niv

"My silver has been returned," he said to his brothers. "Here it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, "What is this that God has done to us?"

Genesis 42:28 esv

He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!" At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"

Genesis 42:28 nlt

"Look!" he exclaimed to his brothers. "My money has been returned; it's here in my sack!" Then their hearts sank. Trembling, they said to each other, "What has God done to us?"

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 28 Meaning

Genesis 42:28 describes the shocking moment when one of Joseph's brothers discovers that the money they paid for grain has been returned to his sack. This inexplicable event fills them with profound dread and despair, leading them to acknowledge God's direct and mysterious hand in their current plight and perceived judgment.

Genesis 42 28 Context

Genesis chapter 42 marks a pivotal point in the story of Joseph and his brothers. After two decades, a severe famine compels Joseph's brothers to travel from Canaan to Egypt to buy grain. Unbeknownst to them, the governor overseeing the grain sales is Joseph himself. Joseph, recognizing them, feigns ignorance and accuses them of being spies to test their character and see if they had changed. He detains Simeon, demands they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, and secretly has their money returned to their sacks. The verse immediately follows the brothers' agonizing introspection (Gen 42:21-22), where they confess their guilt for how they treated Joseph. Their discovery of the returned money deepens their fear, affirming their growing conviction that their current distress is divine retribution for their past sins.

Genesis 42 28 Word analysis

• And he said (vayyomer): Singular subject, suggesting one specific brother first made the discovery and exclaimed. This initial discovery acts as a catalyst for the collective fear. Traditionally, it is believed to be Levi.
• unto his brethren (ʾel ʾeḥayv): Indicates the immediate sharing of this shocking finding within their small group.
• My money (kaspi): Literally "my silver." Silver was the common medium of exchange at the time, functioning as money.
• is restored (hushav): This is a form of the Hebrew verb shuv, meaning "to return" or "to turn back." Here, in the hophal stem, it means "it has been caused to be returned" or "it has been given back." This implies that the return of the money was not an accident but a deliberate act by someone. This realization compounds their dread as they ponder who or what is behind it.
• and, lo (w'hinneh): An emphatic exclamation meaning "behold" or "look." It signals surprise, suddenness, and significance of the discovery.
• it is even in my sack (gam b'amtachti hu): "My sack" refers to the container used to carry grain. The specific placement inside their personal grain sack, alongside the purchased grain, made the finding undeniable and profoundly mysterious. It removed any doubt about their transaction or the return of their exact money.
• and their heart failed them (vayyetze libbam): A strong Hebrew idiom, literally meaning "their heart went out." It signifies not just surprise or fear, but an overwhelming dread, loss of courage, despair, and despondency. Their inner strength and resolve evaporated. This idiom communicates profound terror and a sense of imminent doom. It highlights the psychological impact, revealing a breakdown in their emotional composure.
• and they were afraid (vayyeḥeradu): From the verb ḥarad, meaning "to tremble," "be terrified," "dread." This indicates a physical manifestation of their intense fear, shivering or shaking.
• saying one to another (le'mor 'ish 'el 'achiv): Emphasizes their collective confusion and the shared experience of bewilderment. They sought comfort or answers from each other in their terror.
• What is this (mah-zot): A rhetorical question expressing extreme astonishment and incomprehension at the baffling circumstance.
• that God hath done unto us? ('asa Elohim lanu): This crucial phrase reveals their worldview. They immediately attribute the inexplicable event to Elohim, a general term for God or a deity. They did not suspect Joseph, or human trickery, or chance; they recognized the hand of a divine power at work. This confirms their sense of accountability and punishment, linking their current misfortune directly to God's intervention, reinforcing their belief in divine justice for their unconfessed sins, especially regarding Joseph.

Genesis 42 28 Bonus section

The brothers' immediate cry, "What is this that God hath done unto us?" showcases a common ancient Near Eastern belief system where inexplicable or difficult events were often attributed directly to divine action rather than chance. This spontaneous confession of divine involvement, even from men who had previously shown callousness, points to the powerful and unescapable work of conscience under God's mysterious hand. The use of Elohim (a plural form, but here singular in meaning, referring to the one God) rather than YHWH (the LORD, God's covenant name) in this spontaneous exclamation suggests a more general recognition of a higher power’s overwhelming authority, rather than a specific covenantal understanding. This narrative beautifully illustrates God's active involvement in human affairs, even in what might seem like mundane or frustrating situations, turning them into opportunities for conviction, growth, and ultimately, the fulfillment of His divine purpose.

Genesis 42 28 Commentary

Genesis 42:28 powerfully encapsulates the profound fear and growing conviction of guilt among Joseph's brothers. Their discovery of the returned money, an event entirely orchestrated by Joseph yet appearing to them as supernatural, serves as a direct instrument of God's providence. Coming on the heels of their conversation about their past cruelty to Joseph (v. 21-22), this inexplicable occurrence exacerbates their existing dread. "Their heart failed them" highlights their collapse of spirit and a deep psychological terror, demonstrating that God was pressing in on their consciences. Their immediate attribution of the strange event to "God" underscores their ingrained belief in divine retribution, confirming their spiritual state where they perceive every misfortune as a consequence of their sin. This verse marks a crucial turning point, showing God using hidden circumstances to lead His chosen people towards genuine humility, self-reflection, and ultimately, repentance, demonstrating His intricate design for justice and restoration.