Genesis 42:20 - Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
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What does "Genesis 42:20" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis. To understand it, you need some context:
Joseph's History: Years earlier, Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt. He rose to power there and became a high-ranking official.
Famine in Canaan: A severe famine struck the land of Canaan, where Joseph's family lived. Joseph, in charge of food distribution in Egypt, was unaware that his brothers would come to him for grain.
Initial Encounter: Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him. He accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days.
Now, let's break down the verse:
"Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die." Joseph, still testing his brothers and perhaps trying to protect his youngest brother Benjamin, set a condition for their release. He demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, back to Egypt.
"Bring your youngest brother to me": This is the key requirement. Joseph wants to see Benjamin.
"so will your words be verified": Joseph believes they are lying about having a younger brother at home. He doubts their honesty. Bringing Benjamin would prove that they are telling the truth about their family and that they're not actually spies.
"and you won't die": This is a threat and a promise. Joseph is implying that if they are spies, they will be executed. However, if they are honest and bring Benjamin, he will spare their lives. He needs to be certain they are not a threat.
"They did so." This simply means that the brothers agreed to Joseph's demand. They intended to return to Canaan and persuade their father, Jacob, to let Benjamin go with them back to Egypt.
In Summary:
Joseph, suspicious of his brothers, demands they bring Benjamin to him as proof of their honesty. This demand is presented as a condition for their survival. Their agreement ("They did so") sets up the next part of the narrative, which involves convincing their father, Jacob, to part with his beloved youngest son. The demand is a test of their honesty, their loyalty to their family, and, ultimately, a way for Joseph to see his full family again. He is also protecting Benjamin by testing if his older brothers have changed since selling him into slavery.
Genesis 42:20 - Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
What does "Genesis 42:20" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Joseph and his brothers in the book of Genesis. To understand it, you need some context:
Joseph's History: Years earlier, Joseph's brothers, consumed by jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt. He rose to power there and became a high-ranking official.
Famine in Canaan: A severe famine struck the land of Canaan, where Joseph's family lived. Joseph, in charge of food distribution in Egypt, was unaware that his brothers would come to him for grain.
Initial Encounter: Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him. He accused them of being spies and imprisoned them for three days.
Now, let's break down the verse:
"Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die." Joseph, still testing his brothers and perhaps trying to protect his youngest brother Benjamin, set a condition for their release. He demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, back to Egypt.
"Bring your youngest brother to me": This is the key requirement. Joseph wants to see Benjamin.
"so will your words be verified": Joseph believes they are lying about having a younger brother at home. He doubts their honesty. Bringing Benjamin would prove that they are telling the truth about their family and that they're not actually spies.
"and you won't die": This is a threat and a promise. Joseph is implying that if they are spies, they will be executed. However, if they are honest and bring Benjamin, he will spare their lives. He needs to be certain they are not a threat.
"They did so." This simply means that the brothers agreed to Joseph's demand. They intended to return to Canaan and persuade their father, Jacob, to let Benjamin go with them back to Egypt.
In Summary:
Joseph, suspicious of his brothers, demands they bring Benjamin to him as proof of their honesty. This demand is presented as a condition for their survival. Their agreement ("They did so") sets up the next part of the narrative, which involves convincing their father, Jacob, to part with his beloved youngest son. The demand is a test of their honesty, their loyalty to their family, and, ultimately, a way for Joseph to see his full family again. He is also protecting Benjamin by testing if his older brothers have changed since selling him into slavery.