Genesis 43:33 kjv

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.

Genesis 43:33 nkjv

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.

Genesis 43:33 niv

The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment.

Genesis 43:33 esv

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement.

Genesis 43:33 nlt

Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest.

Genesis 43 verses

Genesis 43 33 Meaning

Genesis 43:33 describes a pivotal moment during the brothers' second visit to Egypt: "And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marveled one at another." This verse reveals Joseph's uncanny, seemingly supernatural knowledge of his brothers' precise birth order, which had been previously established only by Jacob, not divulged in Egypt. Their seating arrangement, meticulously ordered from the eldest, Reuben, down to the youngest, Benjamin, demonstrates Joseph's extraordinary discernment. This divinely-enabled insight causes deep astonishment among the brothers, as it strongly suggests a level of perception beyond ordinary human capability, leading them to ponder its origin.

Genesis 43 33 Context

Genesis 43:33 occurs during the climax of Joseph's testing of his brothers, designed to assess their change of heart and character since they sold him into slavery. After the previous trip where Simeon was held captive and the need for Benjamin's presence was stipulated, Jacob finally reluctantly allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt. Joseph's reunion with Benjamin fills him with profound emotion (Gen 43:29-30). This meal is Joseph's personal occasion to observe his brothers. The narrative builds tension, focusing on Joseph's deliberate and subtle actions. He ensures they are served abundant portions, particularly Benjamin (Gen 43:34). The unusual seating arrangement, meticulously reflecting their actual birth order, directly confronts the brothers with Joseph's enigmatic knowledge, forcing them to question his identity and the source of his insight. This act prepares them for the next crucial test involving the silver cup in Benjamin's sack, which further exposes their integrity and loyalty to their youngest brother. The overarching context is one of divine providence, judgment, testing, and eventual reconciliation within Jacob's family.

Genesis 43 33 Word analysis

• And they sat before him, (וישבו לפניו - vaYishbu leFanav):

  • ויתנהו (vaYishbu): From the root ישב (yashav), meaning "to sit, dwell." The prefix 'ו' (vav) indicates sequential action, emphasizing the immediate compliance or action of the brothers. This seating is not accidental; it is by instruction or perhaps custom that Joseph directs them, even if implicitly. The active act of "sitting" highlights their subordinate position to Joseph, the ruler.
  • לפניו (leFanav): Literally "before his face." This signifies presence and immediate oversight. They are directly under his gaze, and he observes their every reaction. It implies authority and scrutiny on Joseph's part.

• the firstborn according to his birthright, (הבכור כבכורתו - haBechor k’vchorato):

  • הבכור (haBechor): "The firstborn." This specific definite article emphasizes that this is a recognized title and status within a family. This highlights Reuben, Jacob's eldest son.
  • כבכורתו (k'vchorato): "According to his birthright/primacy." The prefix כ' (ke) means "according to" or "as." The word בכורה (bekhorah) refers to the special rights and status of the firstborn son, which traditionally included a double portion of the inheritance and leadership. This phrasing stresses the precise adherence to the natural order of their birth. This order was known only to Jacob and his household, not public Egyptian information, making Joseph's knowledge astonishing. This points to the uncanny nature of Joseph's knowledge, seemingly bypassing typical human means.

• and the youngest according to his youth; (והצעיר כצעירתו - v’haTza'ir k'tza'irato):

  • והצעיר (v'haTza'ir): "And the youngest." This highlights Benjamin. Just as specific as "firstborn," identifying the extreme ends of the sibling order.
  • כצעירתו (k'tza'irato): "According to his youth." This signifies that Benjamin's seat reflects his position as the very last born, embodying the end of the birth order sequence. The pairing of 'firstborn' and 'youngest' frames the entire group and underlines the perfect, specific ordering of everyone in between.

• and the men marveled one at another. (ויתמהו האישים איש אל אחיו - vaYitm’ahu ha’Ishim Ish el Akhiv):

  • ויתמהו (vaYitm’ahu): From the root תמה (tamah), "to be astonished, wonder, be amazed." This is a strong word indicating profound surprise, shock, and perplexity. It's an internal, mental reaction to something extraordinary. The brothers are not just surprised; they are dumbfounded, searching for an explanation. This wonder indicates the unexpected and seemingly inexplicable nature of Joseph's actions. It is crucial to the build-up of the narrative, implying divine knowledge or magic, in stark contrast to their usual perception of human abilities.
  • האישים (ha'Ishim): "The men." Referring collectively to all the brothers, including Benjamin.
  • איש אל אחיו (Ish el Akhiv): "Each man to his brother," or "one to another." This phrase emphasizes the shared astonishment among them. They are exchanging bewildered glances or whispered questions, confirming that each of them perceives the oddity of the situation. Their mutual marvel confirms that the precise order was known only to them and was indeed significant, a point of deep confusion and apprehension for them. This internal reaction highlights Joseph's effective manipulation of the situation and the depth of his secret.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth": This phrase precisely delineates the seating arrangement. The detailed specification of 'firstborn' and 'youngest' implies that the entire lineage was ordered meticulously from eldest to youngest, signifying perfect, preternatural knowledge on Joseph's part, which could only come from a divine source, or via an act of forbidden divination, but for Joseph, it's divinely granted insight.
  • "and the men marveled one at another": This phrase captures the immediate and shared reaction of the brothers. Their mutual astonishment highlights the unexplainable nature of Joseph's discernment. This marveling builds dramatic tension, forcing the audience, like the brothers, to wonder about the identity and power of this Egyptian official. This moment is a powerful indicator that the testing of their hearts is progressing as Joseph desired.

Genesis 43 33 Bonus section

The seemingly inexplicable knowledge demonstrated by Joseph points strongly to divine wisdom granted by God, a characteristic seen previously in his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (Gen 41:39) and later implicitly acknowledged in his statement "God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20). This specific detail of seating order contrasts with common ancient Near Eastern practices of divination using objects (like the silver cup Joseph later uses, Gen 44:5), which would be an outward tool, versus an inherent, divinely gifted discernment of hidden realities. This moment emphasizes the divine orchestration of events, ensuring that the brothers' consciences are continually pricked and they are faced with their past sins. The precise birth order holds symbolic weight within Israelite culture, tied to family identity, blessings, and lineage, making Joseph's recognition of it deeply significant beyond a mere triviality. It subtly affirms Joseph's continued connection to his true heritage despite his Egyptian guise.

Genesis 43 33 Commentary

Genesis 43:33 presents a critical turning point in the Joseph narrative, not through overt action, but subtle demonstration of an extraordinary quality: discernment. Joseph, intentionally orchestrates the seating arrangement according to the precise birth order of his brothers, a detail no stranger, particularly an Egyptian ruler, should possibly know. This act immediately puzzles the brothers and deepens their growing sense of bewilderment and apprehension towards the viceroy. Their mutual 'marveling' isn't mere surprise; it's a deep wonder akin to bewilderment or even a superstitious fear of this seemingly omniscient figure. This discernment functions as a profound test for the brothers, revealing their collective state of mind. It suggests Joseph might possess more than human power, pushing them to question divine involvement or perceive his actions as a display of superior wisdom, setting the stage for future interactions. This also aligns with God's ultimate plan of restoration for Jacob's family and shows God's working behind the scenes.