Genesis 42:31 kjv

And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

Genesis 42:31 nkjv

But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.

Genesis 42:31 niv

But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.

Genesis 42:31 esv

But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we have never been spies.

Genesis 42:31 nlt

But we said, 'We are honest men, not spies.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 31 Meaning

Genesis 42:31 states the unified plea of Joseph's brothers to the Egyptian vizier (unbeknownst to them, Joseph himself), denying his accusation that they were spies. They declared that their common paternity confirmed their single loyalty and good faith, asserting their integrity and truthfully denying the charge of espionage. This assertion was meant to convey their honesty and eliminate any suspicion that they were disparate agents attempting to infiltrate Egypt.

Genesis 42 31 Context

This verse occurs within a critical segment of the Joseph narrative. A severe famine afflicts Canaan, prompting Jacob to send his ten eldest sons to Egypt to purchase grain. Unbeknownst to them, their estranged brother Joseph is now the powerful vizier overseeing Egypt's food supply. Upon their arrival, Joseph recognizes them but conceals his identity, remembering his childhood dreams (Gen 42:9). He deliberately tests them, accusing them of being spies sent to exploit the famine-stricken land. The brothers' response in Genesis 42:31 is their earnest defense, designed to counter Joseph's serious charge. Historically, ancient Egypt, as a major power with critical resources like grain, was highly security-conscious, making accusations of espionage a grave matter with severe consequences. For the brothers, this moment represents a trial orchestrated by divine providence through Joseph, pushing them to confront their past and revealing their character development, moving from individuals divided by envy to a united front.

Genesis 42 31 Word analysis

• And they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayyōmə·rū): This conjunction and verb indicate an immediate, unified response from the brothers. Their collective voice signals solidarity and agreement in their plea.
• We are all (כֻּלָּנוּ - kul·lā·nū): Emphasizes their complete unity. There is no dissent among them regarding this statement; they stand as one.
• one man's sons (בְּנֵי אִישׁ אֶחָד - bə·nê 'îš 'e·ḥād): Literally "sons of one man."
  • sons (בֵּן - ben): Denotes offspring, descendant. Here, it implies shared lineage and therefore shared loyalty and identity.
  • man (אִישׁ - ish): A singular male person, referring to Jacob.
  • one (אֶחָד - echad): Emphasizes singularity and unity.This phrase asserts a common patriarchal origin, a powerful claim in a culture where kinship defined identity and allegiance. It counters the idea of spies, who would typically come from diverse backgrounds or serve different masters. They are arguing that their family bond precludes such disloyal behavior.
• we are true men (כֵנִים אֲנַחְנוּ - ke·nîm 'ă·naḥ·nū):
  • true (כֵן - ken): Derived from a root meaning "to be firm, fixed, verified." It describes someone who is honest, sincere, upright, and trustworthy. This is an emphatic declaration of their character, intended to establish their integrity before Joseph. The irony lies in their past actions towards Joseph, yet within the immediate context of their accusation, they genuinely perceive themselves as truthful and not spies.
  • we (אֲנַחְנוּ - anaḥnu): An emphatic pronoun, reinforcing their collective claim of honesty.
• we are not spies (לֹא הָיִינוּ מְרַגְּלִים - lō hā·yî·nū mə·rag·gə·lîm):
  • not (לֹא - lo): A strong negative particle.
  • spies (מְרַגְּלִים - mə·rag·gə·lîm): Plural participle from the root רָגַל (ragal), meaning "to tread, go about." In the Piel stem, it means "to go about as a slanderer, to spy out, explore." The term refers to individuals engaged in secret reconnaissance, often with hostile intent. This is a direct, categorical denial of Joseph's accusation in Gen 42:9. They understand the severity of the charge and emphatically reject it.

Words-group analysis:

• "We are all one man's sons; we are true men": This clause combines their lineage with their character. By stating they share a father, they are implying a shared moral compass and inherent integrity, positioning themselves as incapable of the deceitful act of espionage. Their familial bond is presented as a guarantee of their honest intent.
• The triple affirmation: "one man's sons," "true men," "not spies": This creates a strong rhetorical structure. The first two parts positively affirm their identity and character, while the third directly negates the accusation. This layered approach emphasizes their unity and desperation to prove their innocence, appealing both to fact (their shared father) and to their perceived virtue. This serves as a cohesive and insistent denial, characteristic of a group trying to quickly dispel severe suspicion.

Genesis 42 31 Bonus section

• Dramatic Irony: The brothers proclaim themselves "true men" to the one whom they had most deeply betrayed, demonstrating a profound lack of self-awareness concerning their past actions while being truthful about the present accusation. Joseph, on the other hand, is the "true man" in terms of his upright character, yet he is orchestrating a deception to test them.
• Joseph's Motive: Joseph's accusation is not borne of genuine belief they are spies, but as a deliberate ruse to bring them to self-reflection, especially concerning Benjamin, and to see if they had grown from their past failures. It’s a method of "testing the integrity of their heart," a concept often seen in biblical narratives where God tests individuals.
• Family Cohesion: This forced defense fosters a newfound cohesion among the brothers. For years, they were fractured by envy and sin against Joseph. Now, facing a common external threat, they present a unified front, symbolizing a gradual shift toward their eventual restoration as a true family unit.

Genesis 42 31 Commentary

Genesis 42:31 is a pivotal moment showcasing the brothers' desperate plea and a striking example of dramatic irony. Their declaration, "We are all one man's sons; we are true men; we are not spies," serves multiple functions. First, it’s a direct, earnest rebuttal to Joseph's false accusation, revealing their fear and immediate need to appear innocent. Second, by stating they are "one man's sons," they appeal to a cultural understanding of family unity, implying they could not possibly have divided loyalties consistent with espionage. This is a genuinely truthful statement about their immediate status and intent; they are indeed Jacob's sons and not spies. However, the claim "we are true men" resonates with deep irony for the reader, knowing their past deceit in selling Joseph, the very brother to whom they now desperately plead their truthfulness. This entire encounter is Joseph’s orchestrated test, designed to push his brothers towards a point of repentance and expose any changes in their character, especially regarding Benjamin. Their desperate unity in the face of adversity begins to reshape them from a fragmented, envious group into a cohesive family, setting the stage for their eventual reconciliation and God's providential plan for Israel's survival.