Genesis 43:30 kjv

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Genesis 43:30 nkjv

Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.

Genesis 43:30 niv

Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Genesis 43:30 esv

Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.

Genesis 43:30 nlt

Then Joseph hurried from the room because he was overcome with emotion for his brother. He went into his private room, where he broke down and wept.

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 30 Meaning

Genesis 43:30 describes a pivotal moment of intense emotion for Joseph. Having just encountered his full brother Benjamin after many years and having them share a meal, Joseph's deep fraternal affection was so stirred that his "compassion grew warm" within him. This overwhelming surge of feeling, driven by long-suppressed emotions and the tender reunion, necessitated an immediate, private outpouring. He urgently sought a secluded chamber to freely express his tears, a clear demonstration of the profound love and emotional turmoil he was experiencing beneath his guise as the Egyptian ruler.

Genesis 43 30 Context

Genesis chapter 43 describes the second journey of Joseph's brothers to Egypt to buy grain. This time, urged by a severe famine and commanded by Joseph (unbeknownst to them), they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, with them. Jacob had reluctantly agreed. Joseph orchestrates events to test his brothers: he orders Benjamin to be given five times the portion of food, observing their reactions. Verse 30 is the immediate consequence of Joseph's intense observation of his beloved, full brother Benjamin, after the unusual favor shown at the banquet. Seeing Benjamin after so long, coupled with the growing affection and the accumulated grief of his separation from his family, finally overwhelms Joseph's carefully maintained composure. The preceding verses set up this emotional eruption, highlighting Joseph's meticulous plan to reveal himself, which this wave of emotion prematurely threatens.

Genesis 43 30 Word analysis

• Then Joseph hurried out,

  • Joseph: The son of Jacob and Rachel, now the second most powerful man in Egypt, yet deeply moved by familial love. His name itself means "may he add" or "he adds," a poignant foreshadowing of the blessing he brings.
  • hurried out: Hebrew: וַיְמַהֵר (vaymaher) from the root מָהַר (mahar), meaning to hasten, be quick. This indicates a sudden, uncontrollable impulse. He couldn't contain his emotion any longer, requiring an immediate escape from the brothers' presence.

• for his compassion grew warm for his brother,

  • compassion: Hebrew: רַחֲמִים (raḥamim), plural of רֶחֶם (reḥem), meaning "womb." This term signifies a deep, visceral, maternal-like affection and pity, often used to describe God's mercy. It implies a profoundly internal, instinctual bond and sorrow for the condition of another, here, for Benjamin, his full brother, and likely encompassing the years of separation and his family's suffering. It's a foundational term for mercy in the Old Testament.
  • grew warm: Hebrew: חָמוּ (ḥāmû), from the root חָמַם (ḥamam), meaning to be hot or warm. This expresses a boiling or seething intensity of emotion, an unstoppable surge that courses through his body, making it physically necessary for him to withdraw. It’s an involuntary, deeply felt physical reaction.
  • for his brother: Specifically, Benjamin. This emphasizes the special bond Joseph had with Benjamin, as they were the only two sons of Rachel, Jacob's most beloved wife. The sight of Benjamin, who would have reminded Joseph strongly of their deceased mother, triggered a profound and overwhelming response.

• and he sought a place to weep.

  • sought a place: He actively searched for privacy. Joseph, as the powerful vizier of Egypt, could not afford to lose his composure publicly before his brothers, who were still unaware of his true identity. This public display would not only compromise his disguise but also undermine his authority.
  • to weep: Hebrew: לִבְכּוֹת (livkot), from the root בָּכָה (bakah), to weep or cry. The need to weep underscores the overwhelming nature of his emotional state. Weeping in ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly for men of status, was often done in private or during specific mourning rituals.

• And he entered his chamber and wept there.

  • entered his chamber: Hebrew: חֶדֶר (ḥeder), referring to a private room, inner chamber, or bedroom. This confirms his successful retreat to a place of solitude and privacy where he could release his pent-up emotions without hindrance or observation.
  • wept there: A reaffirmation and conclusion of the action initiated by his intense compassion. The simple repetition emphasizes the act itself and the profound emotional release.

Genesis 43 30 Bonus section

The depth of Joseph's "compassion" (רַחֲמִים - raḥamim) is linguistically significant. This Hebrew word is intimately linked to the physical "womb" (רֶחֶם - reḥem), implying an innate, tender, and protective love. This same root is frequently used to describe God's mercy and tender compassion (e.g., Psa 103:13). Therefore, Joseph's feelings for his brother Benjamin are portrayed as far more than casual affection; they are profound, primal, and deeply nurturing, reflecting a quality often attributed to the divine. His emotional response isn't just sentimentality but an overpowering surge of pure, unadulterated love, forcing him to seek immediate physical and emotional release in a private space. This scene anticipates the reconciliation not just between brothers, but also the eventual restoration of Jacob's entire family, a divine work that moved Joseph's heart as much as God's heart for His people.

Genesis 43 30 Commentary

Genesis 43:30 offers a profound glimpse into Joseph's character and the depth of his familial love. It serves as an emotional crescendo in his reunion with his brothers, setting the stage for his eventual self-revelation. The use of "compassion grew warm" (from raḥamim and ḥamam) highlights a visceral, almost involuntary emotional reaction, more profound than mere pity; it speaks of a deep, inner, gut-wrenching affection akin to a parent's love. This unbidden rush of emotion, particularly for Benjamin, underscores his unique bond with his only full brother and possibly resurfaces the grief of his own past trauma.

His immediate need to withdraw to a private chamber for weeping illustrates the cultural expectation for a man in Joseph's position, as well as his strategic foresight; he maintained his disguise and authority even amidst personal emotional turmoil. This controlled outburst is distinct from his subsequent public weeping in Gen 45, showing his deliberate actions leading up to the grand reveal. The verse humanizes Joseph, portraying him not just as a calculating administrator, but as a man deeply affected by familial bonds and the pain of separation, revealing the deep affection beneath the façade of the Egyptian ruler. It beautifully foreshadows the divine compassion that often moves God's heart toward His children, acting out of mercy even when His plans require periods of testing or concealment.