Genesis 43 25

Genesis 43:25 kjv

And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Genesis 43:25 nkjv

Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

Genesis 43:25 niv

They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

Genesis 43:25 esv

they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Genesis 43:25 nlt

They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon.

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 25 meaning

Genesis 43:25 describes the meticulous preparations made by Jacob's sons to present a gift to the Egyptian governor, Joseph, before his anticipated midday arrival for a meal. The verse highlights their immediate response to the information that they were to dine with the powerful ruler, demonstrating their anxious efforts to find favor and ensure their safety. This preparation underscores their respect, fear, and desire for goodwill from the one they perceived as a stranger in authority, unaware that he was their own brother Joseph.

Genesis 43 25 Context

Genesis chapter 43 follows Jacob's reluctant decision to allow Benjamin, his youngest son, to go to Egypt with his older brothers. This was necessitated by the severe famine and the Egyptian governor's demand for Benjamin's presence as proof of their honesty. The brothers had already met Joseph (unbeknownst to them), who had tested them, kept Simeon, and returned their money in their sacks. They are now returning with double money, a specific "present," and Benjamin, in desperate hopes of receiving grain and Simeon back. Their actions in this verse reflect their deep anxiety, fear of the powerful Egyptian ruler, and their attempt to gain his favor through established cultural norms of gift-giving, hoping for a positive outcome and release from their predicament.

Genesis 43 25 Word analysis

• So they made ready: The Hebrew verb is ḵûwn (כּוּן), meaning "to be firm, fixed, prepared, established." It conveys an act of careful and intentional preparation. This was not a hurried or casual act, but a deliberate effort reflecting the weight of the situation and their apprehension before the governor. Their preparedness also contrasts with Joseph's control over the entire situation.
• the present: The Hebrew word is minḥāh (מִנְחָה), often translated as "offering" or "tribute." While it can refer to a grain offering in worship, here it specifically denotes a gift brought to a superior to gain favor or show respect, often in anticipation of reconciliation or appeasement (e.g., Jacob's gift to Esau in Gen 32:13, 18, 20-21). It emphasizes their subservience and the attempt to pacify. This "present" (gift/tribute) indicates they perceived the governor as someone to be appeased rather than a brother.
• for Joseph's coming: This phrase points to their expectation of his arrival. They anticipated a formal audience with the governor, implying their reverence and acknowledgment of his high status. It reflects their state of readiness and anticipation.
• at noon: The Hebrew term is ṣāhŏráyim (צָהֳרַיִם), literally "double light," referring to the brightest part of the day, midday. Meals taken at noon in the ancient Near East were significant, often involving social or political dealings. Joseph's decision to meet them at this hour suggests a formal, rather than casual, engagement. It also means they had ample time after the steward's announcement (Gen 43:16) to make these elaborate preparations.
• for they heard: This highlights the source of their knowledge – direct communication from Joseph’s household, likely through his steward (Gen 43:16). This official communication made the meal an imperative and gave them specific instructions on timing. It was not a speculative preparation but a direct command, underscoring Joseph's authority.
• that they should eat bread there: The phrase lĕʼěḵōl leḥem (לֶאֱכֹל לֶחֶם) literally means "to eat bread," which is a common idiom for "to eat a meal" in Hebrew (cf. Gen 37:25; Exod 2:20). Sharing a meal, especially with a dignitary, was a profound social act of intimacy and fellowship, often implying acceptance and the cessation of hostility. For the brothers, this news of an invitation to eat was significant: it implied a moment of favor or at least a cessation of immediate accusation.

• "So they made ready the present": This phrase captures the meticulous care and concern the brothers invested. The term 'present' (minḥāh) underscores their intent to use a diplomatic approach, hoping to gain favor from an official they feared. It indicates a formal act of tribute rather than a familial exchange.
• "for Joseph's coming at noon": This detail establishes the specific timeline and the significance of the upcoming encounter. The timing at 'noon' implies a full, perhaps ceremonial, meal rather than a hasty transaction. Their anticipation for "Joseph's coming" shows they awaited his authority, unaware of his personal connection to them.
• "for they heard that they should eat bread there": This part reveals the direct cause of their specific preparation. The invitation to "eat bread" (have a meal) indicated a significant turn of events. Eating a meal with an authority figure was a mark of acceptance or at least a cease-fire. It shifted their apprehension from potential imprisonment to cautious hope for favorable interaction.

Genesis 43 25 Bonus section

The brothers' actions in this verse provide a window into the prevailing customs of patronage and diplomacy in the ancient Near East. Providing a gift (minḥāh) to a ruler or superior was a deeply embedded practice, signifying respect, homage, and an appeal for clemency or favor. This practice reflects a world where personal connections and social obligations played a paramount role in securing one's well-being. Furthermore, the mention of "eating bread" (a meal) carries immense cultural weight, often symbolizing fellowship, peace, and covenant-making in biblical narratives. An invitation to share a meal, especially from a powerful figure, was a significant gesture, conveying either acceptance or a means for resolving conflict. For the brothers, this invitation stirred both hope and continued apprehension, as they were still in the dark regarding Joseph’s true identity and intentions. Their precise preparations demonstrate their respect for Egyptian protocol and their desperate desire to navigate this fraught situation successfully.

Genesis 43 25 Commentary

Genesis 43:25 succinctly captures the blend of cultural protocol, anxiety, and cautious hope driving Jacob's sons. Their act of "making ready the present" (Heb. minḥāh) reveals their adherence to ancient Near Eastern diplomatic customs, where gifts were crucial for appeasing powerful individuals and gaining favor. This specific minḥāh was not a simple token but a significant gesture from a family facing existential threat due to famine and suspicion. The precision of "at noon" signals a formal, prearranged encounter, adding to the tension and solemnity. The motivation "for they heard that they should eat bread there" illuminates their primary concern: dining with the governor signified either a truce or a deeper level of engagement than their previous hurried, fearful interaction. This detail contrasts their fearful assumption of a judge with Joseph's secret plan for familial reconciliation. Unaware of the divine hand orchestrating these events, their careful preparation represents human effort in the face of perceived human authority, yet it ultimately served God’s redemptive purpose through Joseph.