This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers years earlier, has risen to power in Egypt and is now in charge of distributing food during a famine. His brothers, unaware of his identity, come to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them but conceals himself and tests them. After their first purchase, he orders that their money be secretly placed back in their sacks of grain.
"He said to his brothers, 'My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!'" One of the brothers discovers the money in his sack after they've left Egypt. The fact that the money is back in the sack is deeply unsettling.
"Their hearts failed them..." This means they were overcome with fear and anxiety. The phrase "failed them" emphasizes the intensity of their dread. They felt a deep sense of foreboding.
"...and they turned trembling to one another..." The discovery of the money makes them terrified. They are not only shocked but also scared. The fact that they turned to each other shows that they are looking for support and understanding in this moment of crisis.
"Saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'" This is the key to understanding their fear. They interpret the return of the money as a sign of divine judgment or manipulation. They suspect that they are somehow being punished or tested by God. The use of the word "God" highlights the scale of their concern. They are not just worried about a practical problem; they feel caught up in something much larger.
They fear being accused of theft.
They sense a larger power at play.
In essence, this verse shows the brothers' growing anxiety and fear that something terrible is about to happen to them. The returned money, rather than being seen as a lucky break, is viewed as a sign of divine displeasure or an ominous trap. This fear is a direct consequence of their past actions (selling Joseph into slavery), although they don't yet fully connect the events. Their guilty consciences make them assume the worst, and they see God's hand in what is happening. It's a significant step in their eventual repentance and reconciliation with Joseph.
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers years earlier, has risen to power in Egypt and is now in charge of distributing food during a famine. His brothers, unaware of his identity, come to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes them but conceals himself and tests them. After their first purchase, he orders that their money be secretly placed back in their sacks of grain.
"He said to his brothers, 'My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!'" One of the brothers discovers the money in his sack after they've left Egypt. The fact that the money is back in the sack is deeply unsettling.
"Their hearts failed them..." This means they were overcome with fear and anxiety. The phrase "failed them" emphasizes the intensity of their dread. They felt a deep sense of foreboding.
"...and they turned trembling to one another..." The discovery of the money makes them terrified. They are not only shocked but also scared. The fact that they turned to each other shows that they are looking for support and understanding in this moment of crisis.
"Saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'" This is the key to understanding their fear. They interpret the return of the money as a sign of divine judgment or manipulation. They suspect that they are somehow being punished or tested by God. The use of the word "God" highlights the scale of their concern. They are not just worried about a practical problem; they feel caught up in something much larger.
They fear being accused of theft.
They sense a larger power at play.
In essence, this verse shows the brothers' growing anxiety and fear that something terrible is about to happen to them. The returned money, rather than being seen as a lucky break, is viewed as a sign of divine displeasure or an ominous trap. This fear is a direct consequence of their past actions (selling Joseph into slavery), although they don't yet fully connect the events. Their guilty consciences make them assume the worst, and they see God's hand in what is happening. It's a significant step in their eventual repentance and reconciliation with Joseph.