World English Bible
- The famine was severe in the land.
- When 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.”
- Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
- If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food;
- but 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.’”
- Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?”
- They 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’?”
- Judah 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.
- I’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;
- for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”
- Their 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;
- and 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.
- Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man.
- May 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.”
- The 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.
- When 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.”
- The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house.
- The 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.”
- They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,
- and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.
- When 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.
- We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”
- He 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.
- The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.
- They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
- When 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.
- He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
- They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly.
- He 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.”
- Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.
- He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
- They 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.
- They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another.
- He 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.
Genesis 43 reveals a profound journey of acceptance, trust, reconciliation, and divine providence. As the story unfolds, Joseph’s brothers must face Egypt again, their previous anxieties intensified by past events. In this powerful chapter, we gain insight into both human frailty and divine orchestration, prominently highlighting God’s sovereign hand directing human hearts and events.
The opening verses outline a growing crisis. The famine in Canaan remains severe, and Jacob (Israel) must confront a painful decision—sending his cherished son Benjamin alongside his brothers back to Egypt. Jacob, haunted by past loss, is understandably hesitant (verse 6). His heart is deeply attached to Benjamin, the remaining child of favored wife Rachel, and this fear paralyzes him.
We often read quickly past Jacob’s fearfulness, but pause to appreciate how relatable his anxiety can be. Jacob’s attachment to Benjamin represents a profoundly human response to grief and loss. Yet, Judah steps forward, asserting responsibility for Benjamin and pointing toward sacrifice rather than avoidance (verses 8-9). This is significant: Judah, whose previous moral reputation in Genesis 38 was tarnished, now emerges demonstrating growth, leadership, and accountability—in fact, Judah’s action here is an early glimmer of the sacrificial character which will ultimately typify Jesus Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).
Jacob reluctantly surrenders to God’s sovereignty, praying fervently: “May God Almighty (Hebrew, El Shaddai) grant you mercy before the man…” (Genesis 43:14, New International Version). Using the name “El Shaddai,” meaning “God Almighty,” highlights Jacob’s submission to the power of God’s protection amid anguish. He does so knowing that uncertain tragedies and past griefs could repeat themselves. His surrender anticipates that poignant scene in Gethsemane, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, New International Version). Jacob’s model offers rich spiritual insight for believers today: true faith ultimately involves yielding our treasures into God’s hands.
The brothers reach Egypt apprehensively. Delivered into Joseph’s presence, they feel anxious (“frightened,” verse 18, NIV), attempting explanation and clarification, interpreting Joseph’s earlier unexplained generosity cautiously. Their fear mirrors our own frequent responses to life’s uncertainties, seeing divine providence sometimes as potential danger rather than gracious opportunity.
Two significant points might be overlooked here:
Egyptian socio-cultural norms: While Egyptians generally did not share meals with foreigners—for Egyptians considered such acts ritually inappropriate (see 43:32)—Joseph redefines these cultural barriers because of a higher divine agenda. Joseph’s conduct toward these Hebrew strangers subtly foreshadows the inclusive hospitality which Christ Himself would embody: welcoming tax collectors, sinners, Gentiles, and outsiders (Luke 15:1-2).
Steward’s testimony of God’s sovereignty: In verse 23, Joseph’s Egyptian steward intriguingly reassures the brothers: “Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks…” (Genesis 43:23, New International Version). An Egyptian official mentions the God of Israel, underscoring the testimony of divine sovereignty heard even from foreign lips. God’s purposeful providence is visible even to outsiders.
As we approach the climax, Joseph sees Benjamin and becomes deeply emotional: “Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out…and wept there” (43:30). The Hebrew phrase used for Joseph’s intense emotion (“nichmeru rachamav”) literally implies that “his compassion boiled over.” It vividly portrays the overwhelming depth of familial love and affection that transcends years of pain and separation.
Benjamin enjoys special favor, receiving substantial portions at the table (verse 34). Joseph’s gestures indicate both subtle testing and profound compassion, foreshadowing the ultimate revelation of Joseph’s true identity and full reconciliation (chapter 45). The passage reverberates with the biblical theme of lavish grace: Benjamin didn’t earn Joseph’s favor through deeds. Grace is given by relationship—in the New Testament, this theme climaxes in our adoption as children of God through Christ (Ephesians 1:5).
Historically and culturally, the Egyptians prioritized status in dining arrangements (43:33), a detail accurately depicted in the Scripture, affirmed by numerous archaeological findings in Egypt’s tomb paintings and inscriptions. Thus subtly, the Scriptures’ historicity is reinforced even through meal customs.
Genesis 43 reminds us that trusting God’s sovereign hand does not mean freedom from apprehension or vulnerability. Often our journey with God leads us exactly through the fears we most desperately wish to avoid. Yet, it also shows that providence is drenched in mercy, always present, continually directing events towards good ends—even amid our anxieties and weaknesses (Romans 8:28).
In our own struggles, when afraid of entrusting to God the people, relationships, or treasured possessions we unfairly cling to, let us look to Jacob, to Judah’s transformation, Joseph’s grace, and ultimately God Himself. His providence guarantees faithfulness and compassion far deeper than our fears.
Reflect further by singing or praying through the hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way,” written by William Cowper. Its profoundly encouraging lines resonate with the providential themes of Genesis 43:
“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.”
Gracious Father, we thank You that, even amid anxieties, uncertainties, and past sorrows, Your providential care remains constant. Teach us to trust fully in Your mercy that never fails. Help us, like Jacob, to relinquish our fears into Your loving hands, believing deeply in Your good purposes. Mold us, as You molded Judah, into people who shoulder responsibility gently and sacrificially reflect Christ’s love. In Jesus’ precious and faithful name, Amen.