Genesis 43:22 kjv

And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

Genesis 43:22 nkjv

And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."

Genesis 43:22 niv

We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don't know who put our silver in our sacks."

Genesis 43:22 esv

and we have brought other money down with us to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."

Genesis 43:22 nlt

We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks."

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 22 Meaning

Genesis 43:22 records the honest and bewildered declaration of Joseph's brothers to his house steward. They explicitly state that they brought new, additional money to Egypt for buying grain, and they profess complete ignorance and surprise regarding how their previous money mysteriously reappeared in their grain sacks after their first journey. This statement reflects their fear of being accused of theft and their urgent desire to demonstrate their integrity amidst a confusing and precarious situation.

Genesis 43 22 Context

Genesis 43:22 takes place during the brothers' second journey to Egypt. Their father, Jacob, was finally compelled by the severe famine to release Benjamin to accompany them, a condition Joseph had set (though they did not know it was Joseph). Upon their arrival at Joseph's house in Egypt, a meal with the Egyptian ruler (Joseph) is being prepared. However, the brothers are deeply distressed because of the money they found in their sacks from the first journey. Fearing they will be accused of theft, which carried severe penalties in the ancient Near East and would dishonor their family, they preemptively explain their situation to Joseph’s steward, seeking to clear their names before any accusation is leveled against them. This act of attempting to rectify an unexplained financial situation highlights their genuine integrity concerning this matter, in stark contrast to their previous deceptions and malice concerning Joseph.

Genesis 43 22 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): Connects this statement to their ongoing conversation with the steward, emphasizing that this is an immediate, anxious explanation prompted by their circumstances.
• other money (כֶּסֶף אַחֵר - kesef akher): "Other silver." "Silver" was the primary medium of exchange. "Other" clearly distinguishes this new sum from the mysteriously returned money from the previous trip, reinforcing their intention to conduct an honest transaction for grain.
• have we brought down (הוֹרַדְנוּ - horadnu): Signifies the physical journey from Canaan, which was higher elevation, to the lowlands of Egypt. It indicates their deliberate action and effort in preparing for this purchase.
• in our hands (בְּיָדֵנוּ - beyadenu): Highlights their personal possession and the physical handling of the new money. It conveys responsibility and transparency—they came with honest intentions and funds.
• to buy food (לִשְׁבָּר - lishbar): Specifically, "to buy grain." This clearly states their legitimate purpose for coming to Egypt and possessing the money. They are not thieves, but customers.
• we cannot tell (לֹא יָדַעְנוּ - lo yadanu): "We did not know" or "We do not know." This emphatic negation expresses their complete ignorance, bewilderment, and lack of understanding concerning the money's reappearance. It's a confession of human limitation in comprehending an unexpected event.
• who put (מִי שָׂם - mi sam): "Who placed." It points to an unknown external agent responsible for the act. The passive discovery emphasizes their innocence and implies an outside force at play, unknown to them.
• our money (כַּסְפֵּנוּ - kaspenu): Refers specifically to the sum they paid for grain on the first trip, which was mysteriously returned. The possessive "our" signifies it was legitimately theirs.
• in our sacks (בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵינוּ - be'amtěchoteinu): The specific containers where the money was found. This detail connects directly to the unsettling experience from the first journey (Gen 42:27-28), deepening their anxiety and need for explanation.

• "other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food": This phrase serves as their primary defense and demonstration of current integrity. They want to preempt any accusation of attempted theft or ill intent, clearly stating their legitimate commercial purpose for being in Egypt.
• "we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks": This crucial declaration articulates their genuine bewilderment and plea of innocence regarding the earlier mysterious incident. It underlines their powerlessness and inability to explain something divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for Joseph's revelation of his identity. It showcases a moment of honest confession of ignorance, contrasting with their past deceitful actions.

Genesis 43 22 Bonus section

This verse offers a fascinating glimpse into the brothers' spiritual and moral journey. While they are bewildered, the reader is privy to the underlying divine orchestration (via Joseph's actions). This dramatic irony enriches the narrative, demonstrating that even when humans are lost and confused, God is actively guiding events for His purposes (Gen 45:5-8). The brothers' fear of accusation and their earnest attempt to clear their name suggest a growing conscience, contrasting sharply with their callous disregard for Joseph's suffering in the past (Gen 37:24-28). Joseph’s scheme, including the return of the money and later the silver cup, was a multifaceted test designed to ascertain whether his brothers had genuinely changed and could be trusted again, leading to the ultimate reunion and the preservation of Jacob's household and the future Israel.

Genesis 43 22 Commentary

Genesis 43:22 vividly portrays the brothers' sincere attempt at integrity and their profound anxiety when confronted with an inexplicable situation. They came prepared with fresh funds, emphasizing their genuine intent to purchase grain honestly, contrasting this with the disturbing mystery of the money from their previous trip. Their desperate declaration, "we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks," highlights their deep confusion and fear of being accused of theft, a charge that carried severe consequences in that society. This act of preemptive honesty reveals a transformed character, showing remorse and integrity absent during their younger days when they conspired against Joseph. Unbeknownst to them, their honesty also testifies to God's unseen hand working through Joseph's scheme to test and reconcile his family, guiding them towards repentance and revelation. This verse underscores how divine providence often works through human ignorance, weaving God's greater plan even through confounding circumstances.