Joseph's elaborate feast arrangement—seating his brothers by exact birth order while they remain unaware of his identity—creates dramatic irony that transforms a grain transaction into a covenant family reunion.
Genesis 43
Joseph's Brothers' Second Journey to Egypt
1The famine was severe in the land.
2When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”
3Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
4If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food;
5but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
6Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?”
7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones.
9I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever;
10for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”
11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
12and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.
13Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man.
14May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
15The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”
17The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house.
18The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”
19They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,
20and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.
21When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand.
22We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”
23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them.
24The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.
25They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to the earth before him.
27He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
28They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly.
29He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”
30Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.
31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another.
34He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.
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Theme
Driven by continuing famine, Jacob's family faces the necessity of returning to Egypt for grain, but Joseph has demanded they bring Benjamin. After Judah pledges his own life as surety for Benjamin's safety, Jacob reluctantly agrees to send his youngest son along with gifts and double payment. When the brothers arrive in Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph prepares a feast for them, though they remain fearful about the money mysteriously returned in their sacks from the previous journey.
Context
This chapter continues the Joseph narrative from chapter 42, moving the family closer to the eventual reunion and reconciliation that will culminate in chapters 44-45.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Famine Forces Another Journey The severe famine compels Jacob to send his sons back to Egypt for more grain.
- 3-7 The Benjamin Dilemma The brothers remind Jacob that the Egyptian official demanded Benjamin's presence for any future visits.
- 8-10 Judah's Guarantee Judah personally pledges to be responsible for Benjamin's safe return to their father.
- 11-14 Jacob's Reluctant Consent Jacob agrees to send Benjamin along with gifts, double money, and a prayer for God's mercy.
- 15-17 Arrival and Joseph's Invitation The brothers arrive in Egypt with Benjamin, and Joseph invites them to dine at his house.
- 18-22 The Brothers' Fear Worried about the returned money, the brothers explain their situation to Joseph's steward.
Joseph's Brothers' Second Journey to Egypt
43:1–43:34 narrative narration tender
Jacob reluctantly sends Benjamin with his sons on their second journey to Egypt for grain. Joseph receives his brothers graciously, seats them by age, and shows special favor to Benjamin while continuing to conceal his identity.
person_contrast
Joseph's elaborate feast arrangement—seating his brothers by exact birth order while they remain unaware of his identity—creates dramatic irony that transforms a grain transaction into a covenant family reunion.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Genesis 43:2 4 references
Lexicals 4
Genesis 44:25 Lexical
Our father said, ‘Go again and buy us a little food.’
Genesis 42:2 Lexical
He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may li…
Genesis 47:14 Lexical
Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which the…
Amos 8:5 Lexical
saying, ‘When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat, making the e…
Genesis 43:4 1 reference
Genesis 43:11 1 reference
Genesis 43:14 1 reference
Genesis 43:16 1 reference
Genesis 43:18 2 references
Genesis 43:20 1 reference
Genesis 43:21 1 reference
Genesis 43:22 3 references
Lexicals 3
Genesis 44:1 Lexical
He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each…
Deuteronomy 2:6 Lexical
You shall purchase food from them for money, that you may eat. You shall also buy water from them for money, that you ma…
Deuteronomy 2:28 Lexical
You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink. Just let me pass throug…
Genesis 43:24 2 references
Genesis 43:30 1 reference
Genesis 43:34 1 reference
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Word-by-word original language
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