Genesis 42:33 kjv
And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
Genesis 42:33 nkjv
Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone.
Genesis 42:33 niv
"Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.
Genesis 42:33 esv
Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way.
Genesis 42:33 nlt
"Then the man who is governor of the land told us, 'This is how I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take grain for your starving families and go on home.
Genesis 42 33 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dt 8:2 | And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. | God tests people to reveal their heart. |
| Job 23:10 | But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. | Testing refines and proves worth. |
| Ps 66:10 | For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. | Divine testing as a refining process. |
| Zech 13:9 | And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried... | Refining by trial, similar to Joseph's test. |
| 1 Pet 1:7 | That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: | Trials proving genuineness of character. |
| Num 32:23 | But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. | Consequences of sin are eventually revealed. |
| Pr 28:13 | He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. | Honesty and confession lead to mercy. |
| Lk 8:17 | For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. | Hidden truths will eventually be revealed. |
| Jn 3:20-21 | For every one that doeth evil hateth the light... But he that doeth truth cometh to the light... | Connection between truth and openness. |
| Gen 45:7-8 | And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth... So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God... | God's sovereignty guiding difficult situations. |
| Gen 50:20 | But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. | God uses human evil for His redemptive purposes. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. | Divine orchestrations for ultimate good. |
| Isa 46:10 | Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done... | God's sovereign control over history. |
| Gen 42:21 | And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. | Brothers connect their current distress to past sin. |
| Gen 43:8 | And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go... | Judah's appeal for Benjamin to secure family survival. |
| Gen 44:32-34 | For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father... I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad... | Judah's ultimate act of selfless loyalty and love. |
| Pr 17:17 | A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. | Brotherly love and loyalty, especially in hardship. |
| Heb 13:1 | Let brotherly love continue. | Enduring Christian exhortation for sibling love. |
| Gen 41:54 | And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said... | Fulfillment of Joseph's prophecy of famine. |
| Gen 47:13-14 | And there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very sore... | Severe impact of the famine on the land. |
| Ps 105:16-17 | Moreover he called for a famine upon the land... He sent a man before them, even Joseph... | God's active role in sending famine and Joseph. |
| Pr 2:6 | For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. | Source of true wisdom and discernment. |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not... | Wisdom sought and granted by God. |
| Gen 40:15 | For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. | Joseph's own experience of unjust imprisonment foreshadowing Simeon's. |
Genesis 42 verses
Genesis 42 33 Meaning
Genesis 42:33 outlines Joseph's (unrecognized by his brothers) decree as the governor of Egypt. He mandates that one of Jacob's sons remain imprisoned in Egypt as a hostage. This act is the "proof" or test Joseph sets to ascertain the honesty of his brothers, specifically concerning their claim of having a youngest brother, Benjamin, whom they must bring to Egypt to prove they are not spies but honest men seeking sustenance. Meanwhile, the others are permitted to return to Canaan with grain to feed their families during the severe famine.
Genesis 42 33 Context
Genesis chapter 42 finds Joseph's ten older brothers arriving in Egypt from Canaan to buy grain, as a severe famine grips the land (Gen 41:56-57). Unbeknownst to them, the powerful viceroy they face is their own brother, Joseph, whom they had brutally sold into slavery many years prior (Gen 37:28). Joseph immediately recognizes them, but they do not recognize him (Gen 42:8). Remembering his childhood dreams of his family bowing before him, Joseph chooses not to reveal his identity immediately. Instead, he treats them harshly, accusing them of being spies sent to survey the weakness of the land (Gen 42:9-11). The brothers, desperate, protest their innocence, explaining they are twelve brothers, with one deceased and the youngest at home with their father in Canaan (Gen 42:13). This specific verse, Genesis 42:33, is Joseph's immediate and strategic response to their plea, a pivotal moment in his elaborate test to verify their integrity and force the appearance of his youngest brother, Benjamin.
Genesis 42 33 Word analysis
- And the man:
- This refers to Joseph, but the narrative highlights his perceived identity by his brothers: a powerful, anonymous authority figure. It emphasizes his control and their lack of recognition.
- the lord:
- Hebrew: ’adown (אָדוֹן). Signifies master, owner, or lord. This term underscores Joseph's absolute authority and power over them in Egypt. For the brothers, he is the master who dictates their fate.
- of the country:
- Hebrew: ha’arets (הָאָרֶץ). Meaning the land or the earth. Specifically refers to Egypt here. Joseph’s position as ruler over the land grants him the power to impose conditions.
- said unto us:
- A direct declaration, leaving no room for negotiation or misunderstanding. It's a statement of demand, not an invitation for discussion.
- Hereby shall I know:
- Signifies a definitive test or a decisive condition for verification. Joseph demands tangible proof beyond mere words. This phrasing points to his deep-seated desire to discern the truth of their character and the state of their family.
- that ye are true men:
- Hebrew: kenim (כֵּנִים). Meaning honest, sincere, truthful, upright. This is central to Joseph’s test. After their history of deceit (selling him, deceiving Jacob with the bloody coat), Joseph demands proof of a transformed, honest character. Their words about having a younger brother must be proven true. This is a probe into their moral state.
- leave one of your brethren here with me:
- The condition of imprisonment. Joseph chooses Simeon for this purpose, a significant brother (often associated with violence, Gen 34:25). This act demonstrates Joseph's resolve and puts immediate pressure on the group. Holding one as a hostage ensures their return.
- and take food:
- Hebrew: se'u shever (שְׂאוּ שֶׁבֶר). "Take grain." Despite the severe demand, Joseph still provides for their immediate needs, highlighting the ongoing provision from his administration, yet with strings attached. This balances the harshness of the test with essential humanitarian relief.
- for the famine of your houses:
- Underscores the dire circumstances forcing them to Egypt and the urgent need for grain for their families. Joseph acknowledges their genuine distress for provisions, even while scrutinizing their integrity. It also highlights the scope of the famine.
- and be gone:
- An imperative command to return home swiftly, obtain Benjamin, and fulfill the terms of the test. It indicates Joseph's desire for the next stage of his plan to unfold without delay.
Words-Group Analysis
- "And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us": This opening phrase immediately establishes Joseph’s authoritative and formidable persona in the eyes of his brothers. They are dealing with a potent figure whose word is law, a complete inversion of their past relationship with Joseph. The choice of "the man" emphasizes his concealed identity, while "the lord of the country" reinforces his power in their desperate situation.
- "Hereby shall I know that ye are true men": This statement encapsulates the primary purpose of Joseph's actions: a rigorous test of integrity and honesty. Given the brothers’ past deceit regarding Joseph, this demand for truth speaks volumes about his underlying desire for their genuine repentance and transformation. The criterion for being "true men" is linked directly to their willingness to bring Benjamin.
- "leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your houses, and be gone": This single sentence outlines the harsh, yet meticulously planned, conditions for their temporary release and provision. It reveals Joseph's dual strategy: securing Benjamin's presence by holding a brother hostage (Simeon) while also demonstrating mercy by allowing them to acquire much-needed sustenance for their starving families. This sequence ensures their inevitable return, driving the divine plan forward through practical necessity.
Genesis 42 33 Bonus section
- Simeon's Choice: Scholars speculate why Joseph chose Simeon. Simeon, along with Levi, was noted for his violent retribution against Shechem (Gen 34). Joseph, having suffered greatly from his brothers, may have identified Simeon as a leader or instigator in his own betrayal, or as one of the most aggressive personalities, making him a strategic choice as a hostage who would deeply affect the remaining brothers.
- A Taste of Imprisonment: This event gives the brothers a direct experience of imprisonment and separation from their family, mirroring, albeit lightly, Joseph's own suffering in the pit and prison in Egypt. This indirect poetic justice adds layers to their eventual repentance.
- Divine Orchestration: While Joseph is the apparent orchestrator of these events, the entire narrative underscores God's sovereignty. Joseph's harshness, the brothers' fear, and Jacob's reluctance are all steps in a divine plan to bring the entire family to Egypt for their preservation and the eventual growth of Israel into a nation, preparing them for the exodus (Gen 45:7-8).
Genesis 42 33 Commentary
Genesis 42:33 is a crucial turning point in Joseph's plan to test and ultimately reconcile with his brothers. It highlights Joseph's blend of wisdom, justice, and concealed love. By holding Simeon captive, Joseph sets a demanding condition that probes the depth of his brothers' change of heart. No longer is it a question of simply lying or deceiving. Now, their actions regarding Benjamin will unequivocally demonstrate their loyalty, integrity, and the extent of their compassion, especially their readiness to safeguard their younger brother. This strategic move compels the brothers to revisit their father Jacob and confront his grief over losing Joseph, thus forcing them to acknowledge the full consequences of their past actions (Gen 42:21-22). The tension created by Simeon's imprisonment ensures their return to Egypt, orchestrating the reunion with Benjamin and setting the stage for Judah's profound act of self-sacrifice (Gen 44:33), which ultimately confirms their transformation and paves the way for the family's reconciliation and preservation by God's providence.