Genesis 42:23 - They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 42:23" mean?
This verse from Genesis 42:23 is a crucial piece of the story and highlights the dramatic irony and emotional tension of the encounter between Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They didn’t know that Joseph understood them...": This refers to Joseph's brothers. Many years prior, they had sold him into slavery in Egypt. Now, unbeknownst to them, Joseph has risen to become a powerful official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
"...for there was an interpreter between them.": Joseph, as a high-ranking Egyptian official, communicated with others, including those who spoke other languages, through an interpreter. This was a standard practice for administrative purposes.
The Importance:
Joseph Understood Them: The key element is that Joseph actually did understand his brothers because they were speaking in Hebrew, their native language. However, they thought he could only communicate in Egyptian.
Emotional Control: Joseph was deliberately concealing his identity. Knowing he understood their words, and how they spoke of him, was a profound test of his self-control and his developing plan.
Their Candor: Because they believed Joseph couldn't understand them, the brothers spoke freely amongst themselves in their native tongue, including their remorse over their past actions against Joseph. This is essential to the development of Joseph's plot.
In summary, this verse highlights the deceptive circumstances of Joseph and his brothers' encounter. The brothers' incorrect assumption allows Joseph to maintain his disguise, listen to their true feelings, and ultimately guide the situation towards reconciliation and forgiveness.
Genesis 42:23 - They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.
What does "Genesis 42:23" mean?
This verse from Genesis 42:23 is a crucial piece of the story and highlights the dramatic irony and emotional tension of the encounter between Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"They didn’t know that Joseph understood them...": This refers to Joseph's brothers. Many years prior, they had sold him into slavery in Egypt. Now, unbeknownst to them, Joseph has risen to become a powerful official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
"...for there was an interpreter between them.": Joseph, as a high-ranking Egyptian official, communicated with others, including those who spoke other languages, through an interpreter. This was a standard practice for administrative purposes.
The Importance:
Joseph Understood Them: The key element is that Joseph actually did understand his brothers because they were speaking in Hebrew, their native language. However, they thought he could only communicate in Egyptian.
Emotional Control: Joseph was deliberately concealing his identity. Knowing he understood their words, and how they spoke of him, was a profound test of his self-control and his developing plan.
Their Candor: Because they believed Joseph couldn't understand them, the brothers spoke freely amongst themselves in their native tongue, including their remorse over their past actions against Joseph. This is essential to the development of Joseph's plot.
In summary, this verse highlights the deceptive circumstances of Joseph and his brothers' encounter. The brothers' incorrect assumption allows Joseph to maintain his disguise, listen to their true feelings, and ultimately guide the situation towards reconciliation and forgiveness.