Genesis 42 35

Genesis 42:35 kjv

And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

Genesis 42:35 nkjv

Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man's bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

Genesis 42:35 niv

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.

Genesis 42:35 esv

As they emptied their sacks, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack. And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.

Genesis 42:35 nlt

As they emptied out their sacks, there in each man's sack was the bag of money he had paid for the grain! The brothers and their father were terrified when they saw the bags of money.

Genesis 42 verses

Genesis 42 35 meaning

This verse captures the climax of the brothers' and Jacob's initial distress upon returning from Egypt. As they unloaded their grain, they discovered the full payment they had given for it mysteriously returned within their sacks. This astonishing find, coupled with their previous encounter with Joseph and Simeon's detainment, profoundly dismayed them and their father Jacob, intensifying their fear and anxiety about the whole situation. It plunged them into deep distress and reinforced their belief that their circumstances were a consequence of divine retribution for past misdeeds.

Genesis 42 35 Context

This verse occurs after Joseph, now viceroy of Egypt, has received his ten older brothers who came to buy grain during a severe famine. Unrecognized by them, Joseph accused them of being spies, tested their honesty, imprisoned Simeon, and demanded that they bring their youngest brother Benjamin to Egypt to prove their innocence. The brothers were already troubled by their earlier discovery of one man's money in his sack on the journey back (Gen 42:27-28), seeing it as a sign of divine judgment related to their past sin against Joseph. Upon their return to Canaan, this verse describes the moment of discovering that all their money bundles had been mysteriously returned, plunging them and their grieving father Jacob into an even deeper state of terror and perplexity. Jacob, who believed Joseph was dead, now faced the threat of losing Benjamin and Simeon.

Genesis 42 35 Word analysis

• As they were emptying: (Hebrew: וַיְהִי הֵם מְרִיקִים - way·hī hēm mə·rī·qîm). The root רִיק (rîq) means "to empty out," "to pour out." This highlights a methodical process, not a sudden glance. The act of carefully emptying their sacks makes the discovery deliberate and shocking. It emphasizes that this was an unexpected revelation during a mundane task.
• their sacks: Refers to the containers they used for carrying the purchased grain. This was where the money had been placed by Joseph's command, unbeknownst to them. The location amplifies the surprise.
• behold, (Hebrew: הִנֵּה - hinnêh). An interjection used to draw attention, signify surprise, or introduce a new and significant point. Here, it marks the dramatic moment of discovery and underlines the shocking nature of what they found. It points to a realization, a sudden opening of their eyes to the reality of their situation.
• every man's bundle of money: (Hebrew: צְרֽוֹר־כַּסְפּ֖וֹ - ṣərôr kas'pōw). צְרוֹר (ṣərôr) means "bag," "bundle," or "purse," implying a tied-up, secure package of money (silver). The repetition "every man's" highlights that this was not a mistake with just one individual, but a consistent, unsettling phenomenon across the board, deepening their confusion and dread.
• was in his sack: This reiterates the precise location of the returned money. The fact that it was "in his sack" with the newly purchased grain, not lost or merely misplaced, points to deliberate, calculated action, which was indeed Joseph's doing.
• And when they and their father saw: The discovery wasn't just by the brothers; Jacob was directly involved. The shared realization magnifies the impact, as Jacob's grief over Joseph was already profound, and now he had this new crisis to bear with his sons. This phrase emphasizes the collective trauma and despair.
• their bundles of money: Repetition of the phrase highlights the source of their dismay, specifically pinpointing the money as the object that instilled fear. This emphasizes the gravity of the "evidence" they found against them.
• they were dismayed: (Hebrew: וַיִּפְחָ֑דוּ - wayyīfəḥāḏū). From the root פחד (p̄āḥaḏ), meaning "to dread," "to fear," "to tremble." This word indicates a deep, overwhelming fear or terror that saps one's strength and causes utter hopelessness. It's more than just confusion; it's a feeling of impending doom, amplified by their belief that God was bringing judgment upon them for their past sin concerning Joseph.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "As they were emptying their sacks, behold...": This phrase creates suspense and immediate impact. The ordinary action of "emptying their sacks" leads to the extraordinary, attention-grabbing revelation introduced by "behold." It sets the scene for a shocking discovery that upends their recent sense of security, which was already fragile after their Egyptian encounter.
• "every man's bundle of money was in his sack.": This underscores the uniform and calculated nature of Joseph's act. It was not an accidental oversight but a deliberate placement for each brother. This makes the situation far more ominous for them, suggesting they are being targeted or watched, perhaps by a higher power (as they suspected, the "God of their fathers" - Gen 42:28).
• "And when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed.": This highlights the shared experience of dread, intensifying the emotional weight. The addition of "their father" emphasizes the gravity of the situation, as Jacob's reaction would invariably worsen the brothers' despair. Their combined fear reflects not only concern over being accused of theft but a profound spiritual apprehension that their past sins were finally catching up to them through divine retribution.

Genesis 42 35 Bonus section

The act of returning the money had multiple layers of significance:

1. Providential Mystery: For the brothers, the money's return was an insoluble mystery, a perplexing twist of fate. Yet, from a divine perspective, it was a crucial step in Joseph's providential plan, guiding them back to Egypt for Benjamin, and ultimately, leading to the family's salvation from the famine and reconciliation.
2. Moral Dilemma: The money placed the brothers in an ethical quandary. Should they admit to having the money back (which would imply they stole it after paying) or remain silent and risk further suspicion? This added pressure was part of Joseph's "testing."
3. Contrast with Worldly Wisdom: The situation implicitly contrasts earthly worries (fear of accusations, losing wealth, or perceived ill-fortune) with divine working. While human fear reigns, God is silently orchestrating a profound family reunion and a grand salvation narrative. It's an example of how human-generated difficulties can become tools in God's sovereign hands.
4. Symbolic of Sin's Unearthing: The hidden money surfacing might also symbolize the brothers' own hidden sin concerning Joseph resurfacing to plague them, suggesting that wrongdoing eventually comes to light and brings distressing consequences.

Genesis 42 35 Commentary

Genesis 42:35 vividly captures the family's descent into a profound state of distress. Joseph's cunning plan to return the money was designed not just to test his brothers' character but also to force a spiritual introspection and bring them face-to-face with their conscience. The rediscovery of the money, an inexplicable and unsettling event, confirms their prior fear that "God has dealt with us" (Gen 42:28). For the brothers, this unexpected "restitution" of money, combined with Simeon's imprisonment and the demand for Benjamin, felt like a complex snare, trapping them in a situation they could neither understand nor control. It tapped into their buried guilt concerning Joseph (Gen 42:21). For Jacob, already fragile from the supposed loss of Joseph, this news further shattered his remaining peace, pushing him to despair ("All these things are against me" Gen 42:36). The "dismay" they felt was a potent mixture of fear of unjust accusation, confusion over the mysterious occurrence, and profound guilt, driving them to conclude they were suffering divine punishment. This period of extreme testing and despair served as a critical phase in God's redemptive plan, preparing the family for reconciliation, humbling them, and setting the stage for Joseph to reveal himself and fulfill his prophetic dreams.