Genesis 42:29 kjv

And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

Genesis 42:29 nkjv

Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying:

Genesis 42:29 niv

When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said,

Genesis 42:29 esv

When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying,

Genesis 42:29 nlt

When the brothers came to their father, Jacob, in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 29 Meaning

This verse details the return of Jacob's sons from Egypt to their father in Canaan. Upon their arrival, they immediately recounted "all that had happened to them," a narrative filled with perplexing encounters, dire accusations, and unsettling demands from the powerful Egyptian vizier whom they unknowingly met (Joseph). This communication served as the critical moment where the harsh realities of their journey and the future challenges facing the family were laid bare before Jacob, signaling the onset of further distress and complex decisions for the patriarch.

Genesis 42 29 Context

Genesis chapter 42 opens with Jacob urging his sons to go to Egypt to buy grain due to the severe famine plaguing the land of Canaan. Unbeknownst to them, the vizier managing Egypt's food supply is their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery years prior. Upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph recognizes them but treats them harshly, accusing them of being spies. He demands that one brother remain imprisoned in Egypt (Simeon) while the others return to Canaan to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, as proof of their honesty. The brothers depart with grain but are terrified to find their money returned in their sacks upon a stop. This specific verse (42:29) describes their anxious arrival back home to report these extraordinary and alarming developments, particularly Joseph's demand for Benjamin, to their father Jacob, whose previous experience of loss (Joseph) made him particularly vulnerable to this news.

Genesis 42 29 Word analysis

• When they came: The Hebrew word Va'yavo'u (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ) literally means "and they came/entered." This simple verbal phrase marks the completion of their initial perilous journey and the return to their dwelling place in Canaan. It immediately signifies the end of one phase of the narrative and the beginning of another crucial one—the telling.
• to their father Jacob: el Ya'akov avihem (אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֣ב אֲבִיהֶ֗ם). This emphasizes the filial relationship. "Jacob" means "heel-grasper" or "supplanter," a name reflective of his earlier life struggles and deceptions, which are now mirrored by his sons' deception regarding Joseph. His role as the patriarch is central, as the stability and continuity of the Abrahamic covenant depend on his lineage. The address as "their father" underscores his paternal authority and their obligation to report to him.
• in the land of Canaan: Eretz Kena'an (אֶרֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן). This specifies their location, highlighting that they have returned to the promised land. However, this land, promised for abundance, is currently in a state of severe famine, compelling them to look elsewhere for sustenance, creating a paradoxical tension. The land's state dictates their immediate crisis and decisions.
• they told him: va'yagidu lo (וַיַּגִּ֤ידוּ לוֹ֙). From the Hebrew root nagad, meaning "to make known," "report," or "declare." This verb implies a formal and thorough accounting of events, not merely a casual mention. It suggests the gravity and detailed nature of their subsequent recounting, setting the stage for the dramatic revelations to follow.
• all that had happened to them: et kol ha-korot otam (אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַקֹּרֹ֣ת אֹתָ֗ם). The term qorah (incident, occurrence) denotes an unexpected, often unpleasant or bewildering, chain of events. The phrase "all that" signifies a comprehensive and perhaps overwhelming narrative of their ordeal in Egypt, including accusations, imprisonment, and Joseph's demands, highlighting the dramatic and astonishing nature of their experiences.
• saying: le'mor (לֵאמֹֽר). A common Hebrew formula that introduces direct speech. It signals that the following verses will be their verbatim report to Jacob, emphasizing the critical content of their explanation and Jacob's direct emotional response.

Words-group analysis

• When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan: This phrase effectively communicates the completion of the physical journey from Egypt back to their ancestral home. It immediately centers the action on the crucial family unit and the authoritative figure of Jacob, indicating that the information they carry will now be laid at his feet, shaping his subsequent reactions and decisions regarding the continuation of their efforts to survive the famine.
• they told him all that had happened to them, saying: This encapsulates the primary action of the verse: the transfer of crucial and unsettling information. The inclusion of "all that had happened" suggests the complexity and dramatic intensity of their narrative, far beyond a simple report. The phrase points to the detailed and highly impactful testimony the brothers are about to give, initiating a critical discourse between them and their anxious father regarding the unprecedented challenges and demands imposed by the unknown Egyptian vizier.

Genesis 42 29 Bonus section

The immediate act of "telling" suggests the pressing need for the brothers to explain their current predicament and the rationale for Simeon's continued imprisonment, as well as the non-negotiable requirement for Benjamin's journey. This verbal account forces the family to confront the unseen hand of divine providence at work through Joseph's hidden actions, setting the stage for a period of intense trust and dependence upon God, especially as Jacob faces yet another perceived loss. The collective trauma and guilt experienced by the brothers during their first encounter with Joseph (Gen 42:21) underpin their earnest and fearful recounting in this verse, demonstrating the consequences of their past sin coming to bear upon their present distress.

Genesis 42 29 Commentary

Genesis 42:29 marks the transition point where the chilling experiences of Jacob's sons in Egypt confront their aging, already grieving father. Having been accused of espionage, one brother imprisoned, and Benjamin demanded, their return to Canaan is not one of relief but of profound dread. The act of "telling him all that had happened" encapsulates a moment of deep anxiety and weighty disclosure for both the sons and Jacob. For the sons, it's the difficult recounting of a story filled with fear, the resurfacing of old guilt (regarding Joseph, now acknowledged in their private discussions, v.21), and the demand for the youngest brother—a demand that strikes at Jacob's most tender point. For Jacob, already fragile from years of mourning Joseph, this news further shatters his peace, challenging his trust and resolve. This verse sets the stage for the deeply emotional and faith-testing family drama that will unfold, forcing them all to rely on divine provision in desperate circumstances, subtly highlighting God's unfolding, redemptive plan despite human ignorance and distress.

• Example 1: When facing a daunting situation, like the brothers returning to Jacob, one must often share uncomfortable truths to address the reality of a problem.
• Example 2: Just as the sons conveyed the full burden of their ordeal, Christians are called to confess their struggles and acknowledge God's providence even in difficult circumstances.