Genesis 43:23 kjv

And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

Genesis 43:23 nkjv

But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Genesis 43:23 niv

"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Genesis 43:23 esv

He replied, "Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Genesis 43:23 nlt

"Relax. Don't be afraid," the household manager told them. "Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment." Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 23 Meaning

Genesis 43:23 conveys a profound message of reassurance and divine intervention during a moment of intense fear and anxiety for Joseph's brothers. The steward's words explain the mysteriously returned money not as an oversight or trap, but as a providential act from "your God and the God of your father." This declaration transforms a potential accusation of theft into a confirmation of their payment, signaling that divine favor, not human malice, is at play, culminating in the immediate release of Simeon and paving the way for further reconciliation.

Genesis 43 23 Context

Genesis 43 opens with Jacob's reluctant decision to send his sons back to Egypt for more food, due to the severe famine. Joseph, now second-in-command, had earlier demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to him, otherwise they would not see his face again. Upon their return to Egypt, they are brought to Joseph's house, which fills them with dread. Their primary concern is the money they found mysteriously returned in their sacks from their previous trip, fearing they would be seized as slaves and their donkeys taken. This verse directly addresses their panicked assumption of being trapped or framed for theft. The steward, likely Joseph's trusted head servant, intercedes at this critical juncture, offering a surprising and profound reassurance, transforming their apprehension into a glimmer of hope and revealing an understanding of their God, a truly significant statement coming from an Egyptian.

Genesis 43 23 Word analysis

• And he said, "Peace be to you":
  • He said: Refers to Joseph's house steward (manager), implying a level of authority and insight beyond a mere servant.
  • Peace be to you (שָׁל֨וֹם לָכֶ֔ם, shalom lakhem): More than a greeting, "shalom" implies wholeness, completeness, well-being, safety, and prosperity. Here, it functions as a deep reassurance against their terror, promising their security and release from culpability.
• do not be afraid:
  • do not be afraid (אַל־תִּירָ֔אוּ, al tirau): A direct command addressing their palpable and reasonable fear (Gen 43:18). This strong injunction seeks to calm their agitation and apprehension regarding the returned money and their possible enslavement.
• your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks:
  • your God and the God of your father (אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֧ם וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבִיכֶ֛ם, Eloheikhem v'Elohei avikhem): This is highly significant. For an Egyptian to acknowledge and explicitly name the God of Israel is remarkable. It suggests Joseph's influence, conveying a monotheistic understanding of the specific covenant God of their family. It reframes the perplexing discovery of the money from a human mishap or a snare to a deliberate, gracious divine act. "Elohim" (God) is the general Hebrew term for God, used here with possessive suffixes tying it specifically to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's covenant.
  • has given you treasure (מַתָּ֤ן לָכֶם֙, matan lakem): The steward characterizes the returned money as a "gift" or "present." This alleviates any sense of guilt or indebtedness, portraying the situation as one of unexpected generosity rather than suspicious activity. It underscores a concept of divine blessing and providence, as if God Himself deposited the funds.
  • in your sacks: Specifies the exact location of the puzzling discovery that had caused them so much distress and suspicion. It confirms the steward's direct knowledge of the event.
• I had your money:
  • I had your money (יֶשׁ־לִ֥י כַּסְפְּכֶֽם, yesh li kaspechem): Literally "Your money is with me" or "I have your silver." This crucial statement definitively clears them of any suspicion of not having paid. The steward assumes full responsibility, asserting that their payment was legitimately received. This dispels their core fear of being accused of theft and establishes trust.
• Then he brought Simeon out to them:
  • Then he brought Simeon out to them: This immediate action serves as the tangible proof of the steward's sincerity and authority. Simeon's release validates his comforting words and demonstrates that their pleas are being heard and acted upon. It's a powerful moment of relief and a positive turning point, confirming that their status is shifting from prisoners or suspects to welcome guests. This directly fulfills one of the conditions Joseph imposed in the previous visit.

Genesis 43 23 Bonus section

The steward's seemingly incredible statement about "their God" suggests Joseph had been thoroughly consistent in his witness of Yahweh within his Egyptian household. It is plausible that the steward, observing Joseph's life and wisdom, or being directly informed by Joseph about his God, adopted this phrasing to effectively communicate with the brothers in a manner that would resonate with their belief system. This serves as an early example of cross-cultural communication of faith. Furthermore, the episode of the returned money, clarified as a "treasure" given by God, highlights divine irony. What the brothers perceived as a curse (proof of their assumed guilt), God (through Joseph's actions and the steward's words) transformed into a blessing, setting the stage for true forgiveness and reconciliation, reminiscent of how God often turns perceived misfortune into avenues of grace.

Genesis 43 23 Commentary

Genesis 43:23 is a pivot point in the narrative of Joseph and his brothers, where a moment of terror is defused by a surprising and profound declaration of divine benevolence. The steward's assurance, framed by "Peace be to you" and "Do not be afraid," speaks directly to the brothers' deepest anxieties about being wrongly accused and enslaved. What makes this verse exceptionally powerful is the steward's invocation of "your God and the God of your father" as the giver of the "treasure." This indicates a deep theological awareness, either instilled by Joseph himself, who openly acknowledged his God (Gen 41:16), or a divine inspiration, conveying to the brothers that their situation was not merely a twist of fate but under the active sovereignty of their covenant God. This act of grace and the subsequent release of Simeon validated the steward's words, fostering an environment where fear began to dissipate, replaced by burgeoning trust. The entire encounter serves as a microcosmic illustration of God's overarching plan working through human means, guiding His people through trial towards ultimate blessing and reconciliation, just as Joseph was unknowingly doing.