This verse from Genesis 42:30 is part of the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"The man, the lord of the land...": This refers to Joseph, though his brothers do not recognize him. He is a high-ranking official in Egypt.
"...spoke roughly with us...": Joseph treats his brothers harshly. He's testing them and possibly enacting a bit of payback for how they treated him years earlier (selling him into slavery).
"...and took us for spies of the country.": Joseph accuses them of being spies, a common fear in ancient times regarding foreigners. This accusation gives him a pretext to question them extensively and investigate their family situation.
In essence, the verse conveys that Joseph (whom the brothers don't recognize) speaks to them harshly and accuses them of being spies as a way to manipulate and interrogate them. He is using his power and position to test their character and understand the circumstances of his family back in Canaan.
This verse from Genesis 42:30 is part of the story of Joseph and his brothers. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"The man, the lord of the land...": This refers to Joseph, though his brothers do not recognize him. He is a high-ranking official in Egypt.
"...spoke roughly with us...": Joseph treats his brothers harshly. He's testing them and possibly enacting a bit of payback for how they treated him years earlier (selling him into slavery).
"...and took us for spies of the country.": Joseph accuses them of being spies, a common fear in ancient times regarding foreigners. This accusation gives him a pretext to question them extensively and investigate their family situation.
In essence, the verse conveys that Joseph (whom the brothers don't recognize) speaks to them harshly and accuses them of being spies as a way to manipulate and interrogate them. He is using his power and position to test their character and understand the circumstances of his family back in Canaan.