Genesis 42:32 kjv

We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 42:32 nkjv

We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.'

Genesis 42:32 niv

We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.'

Genesis 42:32 esv

We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.'

Genesis 42:32 nlt

We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One brother is no longer with us, and the youngest is at home with our father in the land of Canaan.'

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 32 Meaning

Genesis 42:32 is part of the brothers' plea to Joseph, whom they believe to be an Egyptian governor, attempting to prove their innocence as not being spies. It succinctly describes their family situation: the original twelve sons of Jacob, the "loss" of Joseph, and the current state of Benjamin residing safely with their father Jacob in Canaan. The verse encapsulates their factual account (from their limited perspective) of their household composition, setting the stage for Joseph's test of them and their father's eventual reunion with his sons.

Genesis 42 32 Context

Genesis chapter 42 finds Jacob's family in Canaan suffering from a severe famine that grips the whole known world. Having heard that there was grain available in Egypt, Jacob dispatches ten of his sons—all but Benjamin—to procure food. Upon arrival, they unknowingly come before their brother Joseph, who, through divine providence, has risen to become the vizier of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Joseph recognizes them immediately but hides his identity, instead accusing them of being spies. In their desperate attempt to convince him of their honesty and simple intent to buy food, the brothers offer details about their family. This verse (42:32) is part of their factual (though for them, tragically ironic) account, revealing crucial details about their household structure, the perceived fate of Joseph, and the protective stance of Jacob toward Benjamin, Joseph's full brother. This explanation serves as the groundwork for Joseph's subsequent test, requiring them to bring Benjamin back to Egypt.

Genesis 42 32 Word analysis

• "We" (אֲנַ֫חְנוּ - 'anaḥnū): A collective pronoun, emphasizing their unity as a group making this statement. It signals a shared identity and a combined effort to convey truthfulness to the Egyptian governor. It sets the stage for a shared fate, both in their immediate predicament and their future as the foundation of Israel.
• "are twelve brothers" (שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר֩ אֲנַ֧חְנוּ אַחִ֛ים - shᵊnêm-ʿāśār 'anaḥnū 'aḥîm): This specific number is profoundly significant. It represents the complete complement of Jacob's (Israel's) sons, destined to become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. This fact underlines their lineage and establishes the foundation for the nation, connecting them to God's covenant with Abraham. From a numerical perspective, the "twelve" symbolizes completeness and divine order within the biblical narrative (e.g., twelve tribes, twelve apostles).
  • "brothers" (אֲחִ֛ים - 'aḥîm): Kinship term. Though their past was marred by intense sibling rivalry, their shared heritage binds them, even as they attempt to explain their plight to an unknown authority. This word underscores their shared origin from Jacob.
• "sons of our father" (בְּנֵי אָבִ֖ינוּ - bᵊnê 'āvînū): This phrase clarifies their relationship, asserting their common paternity. It aims to demonstrate their legitimacy and connection, contrasting with being a collection of disparate individuals. It highlights the patriarchal structure of their society, where identity and standing were deeply rooted in one's father.
• "one is no more" (אֶחָ֣ד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ - 'eḥāḏ 'ênaennū): A deeply ironic and sorrowful euphemism for Joseph, whom they sold into slavery but reported as dead. The Hebrew "אֵינֶ֔נּוּ" literally means "he is not," or "he is not present," suggesting a total and irreversible absence. This phrase resonates with Jacob's belief in Gen 37:30-35, and 44:28 that Joseph was torn apart by a wild beast. Its usage here signifies their adherence to the deceptive narrative they created for their father, a narrative Joseph himself believed had caused great suffering. The phrase highlights the extent of their sin and its ongoing consequences.
• "and the youngest" (וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן - vᵊhaqqāṭōēn): Refers to Benjamin, Joseph's full brother and Jacob's lastborn son from Rachel. The Hebrew "הַקָּטֹ֥ן" ('haqqaṭon') means "the small one" or "the youngest." This detail underscores his special status within the family, especially in Jacob's affections, heightened after the perceived loss of Joseph.
• "is with our father" (אֶת־אָבִ֖ינוּ הַיּ֥וֹם - 'eṯ-'āḇînū hayyōm): Emphasizes Benjamin's protected status. His presence with Jacob signifies the father's favoritism and extreme caution in light of past tragedies. It paints a picture of Jacob guarding his last remaining son from Rachel. "Today" is implied from "with our father", conveying the current arrangement.
• "in the land of Canaan" (בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן - bᵊ'ereṣ Kᵊnāʿan): Pinpoints their home region. Canaan is the promised land, contrasting starkly with Egypt, a land of potential peril and eventually, bondage. This geographical reference establishes their origin as pastoralists from a distant land, adding to their narrative as honest men, not infiltrators.

Genesis 42 32 Bonus section

The brothers' declaration regarding their family unit inadvertently aligns with Joseph's long-past prophetic dreams of his brothers bowing down to him. Although only ten stood before him initially, the full family unit of twelve brothers (plus their father Jacob represented by Benjamin) was required for the dream's complete fulfillment. This verse, by providing the exact count of sons and Benjamin's absence, spurs Joseph to act in a way that will orchestrate the dream's fulfillment and, more importantly, God's redemptive plan for His chosen people during the famine. It highlights how divine plans work through the often-unaware actions and words of humans.

Genesis 42 32 Commentary

Genesis 42:32 is a pivot in Joseph's ongoing narrative of divine sovereignty and redemption. The brothers' seemingly straightforward explanation is loaded with profound dramatic irony. Their statement of "we are twelve brothers," a truth about their identity, immediately leads into "one is no more," a calculated lie reflecting their past wickedness, yet deeply believed by their grieving father. This single phrase, spoken to the very brother they thought dead, highlights their guilt and unawareness of Joseph's survival. The mention of Benjamin, "the youngest...with our father," unwittingly provides Joseph with the final piece of the puzzle to complete his divine test: ensuring Benjamin's safety and forcing his brothers to face the emotional cost of their past actions. The entire exchange is a preordained act in God's plan, bringing His people into Egypt for a time of growth before their eventual exodus. The truth mixed with deception spoken by the brothers in this verse sets the stage for a divine unraveling of their guilt, a deeper realization of Jacob's profound love, and ultimately, Joseph's dramatic reveal, leading to the preservation of Jacob's household and the burgeoning nation of Israel.