Genesis 43:18 kjv

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

Genesis 43:18 nkjv

Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys."

Genesis 43:18 niv

Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

Genesis 43:18 esv

And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph's house, and they said, "It is because of the money, which was replaced in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may assault us and fall upon us to make us servants and seize our donkeys."

Genesis 43:18 nlt

The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph's house. "It's because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here," they said. "He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys."

Genesis 43 verses

MeaningThe men, referring to Joseph's brothers, experienced profound fear upon being led to Joseph's private residence rather than the customary public storehouses for grain. Their immediate interpretation was that they were being deliberately trapped or accused, specifically because of the money they had unexpectedly found in their sacks during their first visit to Egypt. They believed this situation was a pretext for Joseph (or his steward, acting on his behalf) to fabricate charges against them, violently attack or overwhelm them, and ultimately seize them as bondmen along with their donkeys, thus facing complete ruin and enslavement. Their reaction highlights a deep-seated guilt and mistrust, leading them to misinterpret the true, benevolent intentions behind their being brought into the house.

Cross References

ContextThe immediate context of Genesis 43:18 follows the dire situation where a severe famine grips the land, compelling Jacob's sons to return to Egypt for more provisions. Their previous journey had been fraught with tension and mystery, culminating in finding their payment money returned in their sacks and a command from Joseph (unrecognized by them as their brother, now Egypt's Vizier) to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, with them as proof of their honesty. Jacob was deeply hesitant to let Benjamin go, fearing he would lose him as he believed he had lost Joseph. Judah's impassioned plea finally persuades Jacob to permit Benjamin's journey, alongside a special gift for the ruler and double the money for their grain.Upon their arrival in Egypt, Joseph's steward immediately singles them out and brings them directly to Joseph's personal house, rather than guiding them to the typical administrative areas for grain procurement. This unexpected summons into a place of private authority, coupled with their previous unsettling discovery of the money, ignites intense fear and suspicion among the brothers, as captured in this verse. They interpreted this unusual escort as a malicious trap.

Word analysis

• And: Connects the unfolding events, emphasizing the direct consequence or progression of actions.
• the men: Refers specifically to Joseph's brothers, highlighting their collective identity and shared reaction in this critical moment.
• were afraid (יָרְא, yare'): Denotes profound terror and apprehension, not merely slight unease. It reflects their overwhelming dread and a sense of impending disaster, directly linked to their past actions and current guilty conscience.
• because they were brought (הֽוּבְאוּ, huv'u): Uses the passive voice (Hophal stem), emphasizing that they did not choose this path but were compelled or led by an external agent, Joseph's steward. This underscores their lack of control and increasing helplessness.
• into Joseph's house: Highly significant. It was unexpected. Grain buyers would normally transact business in public markets or storehouses, not in the vizier's private residence. This unusual action triggers deep suspicion and fear of foul play in an intimate, private setting.
• and they said: Indicates their collective, shared anxiety and verbalization of their fears amongst themselves.
• By reason of (עַל-דְּבַר, al-devar): Pinpoints the precise cause of their distress: "on account of the matter of" or "concerning."
• the money (הַכֶּסֶף, hakkesef): The physical object that triggered their past shock and current anxiety. It is the focal point of their suspicion.
• that was returned (הֻשַׁב, hushshav): Again, a passive construction (Hophal), indicating it was given back to them, not by their action. The mysterious, unsolicited return of the money was their great perplexity and perceived danger.
• in our sacks (בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵינוּ, be'amteḥoteinu): Specific detail reminding them of the precise place the shocking discovery was made during their previous journey.
• at the first time (בָּרִאשֹׁנָה, barishonah): Clearly refers to their previous journey to Egypt, directly linking their current situation to a past event and perceived wrong.
• are we brought in (מֽוּבָאִים, muva'im): A repetition of the verb "brought," here a Hophal participle, emphasizing their perception of being intentionally led into a trap or under duress. This reiteration underscores the alarming nature of the act to them.
• to roll themselves on us (לְהִתְגּלֵל, lehitgolal): This idiom literally means "to roll oneself upon." In this context, it is metaphorical for "to roll charges upon us," "to press a false charge," "to fall upon with an accusation," or "to attack suddenly and violently with the intent to overpower." It implies malicious intent to exploit or frame them.
• and to fall upon us (וּלְהִתְנַפֵּל, ulehitnappel): A stronger expression, suggesting a direct, forceful assault or aggressive attack. This can refer to both a physical assault and the legal act of seizing or preying upon someone.
• and to take us (וְלָקַחַת, velakakhaṯ): Signifies being seized, apprehended, or legally claimed as property. It completes the perceived sequence of injustice.
• for bondmen (לַעֲבָדִים, la'avadim): The ultimate dread; their fear of forced servitude and loss of freedom, a severe consequence in that ancient world.
• and our asses (וְאֶת-חֲמֹרֵינוּ, ve'et-ḥamoreinu): Represents their property and means of livelihood. The confiscation of their valuable donkeys would mean total destitution and dependence.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house": The unexpected diversion from public grain markets to a private residence, specifically the vizier's house, immediately triggers a deep-seated and overwhelming fear, which stems from their awareness of a mysterious event from their previous visit.
• "By reason of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in": This reveals their explicit understanding of why they believed they were being entrapped. They connected their current predicament directly to the perplexing and unbidden return of their purchase money during their initial journey, viewing it now as evidence that would be used against them. Their guilt over Joseph was amplified by this immediate and tangible "mystery."
• "to roll themselves on us, and to fall upon us, and to take us for bondmen, and our asses": This phrase shows the escalating fears of the brothers: they envisioned being falsely accused (roll themselves on us), then violently attacked or overwhelmed (fall upon us), and finally enslaved along with their valuable livestock (take us for bondmen, and our asses). This projected sequence demonstrates their assumption of ruthless exploitation and complete loss, highlighting their sense of helplessness in a foreign land.

CommentaryGenesis 43:18 provides a poignant glimpse into the brothers' minds, illustrating how a guilty conscience can distort perception and induce intense fear, even when a situation is meant for good. Their fear is irrational from the outside, but utterly logical from their internal perspective shaped by deceit and hidden sin (specifically, selling Joseph). They assume the worst – accusation, assault, and enslavement – interpreting Joseph's extraordinary invitation as a calculated trap. This deeply contrasts with Joseph's actual intent: reconciliation and preparation for his reveal. The scene subtly underscores the divine irony, as God's sovereign plan of provision and restoration unfolds through the very anxieties and misunderstandings of those involved, proving that His purposes transcend human fear and flawed perception. It reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and fear, especially that born of sin, can blind us to grace.

Bonus section

• The dramatic irony in this verse is profound: the very brothers who had plotted to make Joseph a "bondman" (Gen 37:26-28) are now terrified of becoming bondmen themselves, reflecting a chilling parallel to their own past transgression. Their fear echoes their original sin.
• Their inability to conceive of Joseph's generosity or an honorable intent from a powerful Egyptian official speaks volumes about their own character, distrust, and perhaps the general brutality they expected from foreign authorities.
• The emphasis on their animals ("our asses") highlights the fear of total economic and personal ruin. In ancient Near Eastern culture, donkeys were crucial for transport and trade, signifying both wealth and means of survival. Losing them represented utter destitution.
• This verse is a significant precursor to the emotional reunion and Joseph's revelation in chapter 45. The brothers' fear here underscores their unpreparedness for Joseph's eventual display of forgiveness and grace.