Genesis 43:12 - 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.

Generated Verse: Genesis 43:12

What does "Genesis 43:12" mean?


This verse from Genesis 43:12 is part of the story of Jacob (Israel) sending his sons back to Egypt to buy more grain. After their first trip, they discovered the money they paid for the grain had been mysteriously returned to them, hidden in their sacks. They were understandably afraid, thinking they might be accused of theft.

Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

"and take double money in your hand": This means Jacob is instructing his sons to take twice the amount of money they paid the first time. This is a precaution to ensure they have enough to buy the necessary grain and potentially cover any increase in price.

"and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks": This is the key issue. Jacob tells them to return the money that was inexplicably returned to them. This shows his honesty and integrity. He doesn't want to benefit from something he didn't earn.

"Perhaps it was an oversight": Jacob is trying to rationalize why the money was returned. He hopes it was a simple mistake by the Egyptian official handling the transaction. This minimizes the potential for a more nefarious explanation, like being accused of theft or being set up. He is hoping that by returning the money, they will demonstrate their good faith and avoid trouble.

In essence, the verse shows Jacob being cautious, honest, and proactive. He wants to ensure his sons are prepared financially, that they rectify any perceived wrong (the returned money), and that they offer a plausible explanation for the strange circumstance, thus minimizing any potential for conflict or suspicion.

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