Genesis 43:22 - We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”

Generated Verse: Genesis 43:22

What does "Genesis 43:22" mean?


This verse from Genesis 43:22 speaks of a perplexing and worrisome situation for Joseph's brothers when they returned to Egypt to buy more grain. Let's break it down:

"We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food." This means they've returned to Egypt with more money to purchase the grain they need to feed their families. They are explicitly stating that they intend to pay for the grain.

"We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.” This refers to the mysterious event from their previous trip (Genesis 42:25). When they were on their way home, they discovered their purchase money had been secretly placed back into their grain sacks. This is deeply concerning for several reasons:

Fear of being accused of theft: They are worried that someone might think they stole the grain and are now trying to return for more under false pretenses. This would likely carry a severe punishment.
Guilt and unease: They don't understand why their money was returned, and the mystery itself is unsettling. They might suspect foul play or divine intervention.
Powerlessness: They are at the mercy of the person who orchestrated this, and they have no control over the situation.

In essence, the verse highlights their honesty and fear. They are being upfront about the mysterious money return, emphasizing that they didn't put it there and they are still willing to pay for the grain. Their ignorance of the situation makes them vulnerable and anxious about how they will be perceived and treated.

The underlying irony, of course, is that Joseph (whom they don't recognize) is the one who secretly returned their money, testing their character and setting the stage for the revelation of his true identity.

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