1 And the famine [was] sore in the land.
2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
3 And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.
4 If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
5 But if thou wilt not send [him], we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.
6 And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye [so] ill with me, [as] to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
7 And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
8 And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, [and] also our little ones.
9 I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
10 For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
11 And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
12 And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight:
13 Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved.
15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring [these] men home, and slay, and make ready; for [these] men shall dine with me at noon.
17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, [every] man’s money [was] in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
23 And he said, Peace [be] to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
24 And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave [them] water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
25 And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which [was] in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
27 And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?
28 And they answered, Thy servant our father [is] in good health, he [is] yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
29 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, [Is] this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there.
31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
34 And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 43
Genesis 43 continues the narrative of Joseph and his brothers, focusing on the family’s struggle with famine and the complex dynamics of forgiveness and reconciliation. This chapter is pivotal in the unfolding story of Joseph, who has risen to power in Egypt and holds the fate of his family in his hands.
Key Themes
- Famine and Survival: The chapter highlights the severity of the famine affecting Canaan and the desperation of Jacob’s family.
- Family Dynamics: The relationships among Jacob and his sons, particularly the favoritism towards Benjamin, are central to the narrative.
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Joseph’s interactions with his brothers set the stage for themes of forgiveness and the potential for healing past wounds.
- Divine Providence: The events illustrate a belief in God’s overarching plan, even in difficult circumstances.
Summary of Events
- Desperation for Food: The chapter begins with Jacob’s realization that the famine is severe, prompting him to send his sons back to Egypt for more grain.
- Reluctance to Send Benjamin: Jacob is hesitant to send Benjamin, fearing for his safety, as he has already lost Joseph. The brothers argue that they cannot return without him, as the Egyptian ruler (Joseph) has insisted on seeing Benjamin.
- Judah’s Assurance: Judah steps forward, offering to take responsibility for Benjamin’s safety. He assures Jacob that he will bear the blame if anything happens to him.
- Jacob’s Decision: After much deliberation, Jacob agrees to send Benjamin with his brothers, instructing them to take gifts for the Egyptian ruler and to pray for mercy.
- Arrival in Egypt: The brothers arrive in Egypt with Benjamin and present themselves to Joseph, who is now in a position of authority.
- Joseph’s Emotions: Upon seeing Benjamin, Joseph is overwhelmed with emotion but conceals his identity. He arranges a feast for them, creating a mixture of tension and anticipation.
Character Analysis
- Jacob: His protective nature towards Benjamin reflects his deep-seated fears and the trauma of losing Joseph. His eventual decision to send Benjamin indicates a shift towards trust and a willingness to confront the unknown.
- Judah: Judah emerges as a leader among the brothers, showcasing his growth and willingness to take responsibility. His offer to protect Benjamin signifies a shift in character from previous actions.
- Joseph: Joseph’s dual role as a brother and a powerful Egyptian official creates dramatic tension. His emotional response to seeing Benjamin reveals his internal conflict between his past and present.
Symbolism and Literary Devices
- Food as a Symbol: The grain represents sustenance and survival, but also the means through which reconciliation can occur.
- Gifts: The gifts brought by the brothers symbolize humility and the desire to appease Joseph, reflecting their awareness of their past wrongs.
- Feasting: The feast prepared by Joseph serves as a metaphor for reconciliation, indicating a potential for healing old wounds.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 43 is a crucial turning point in the story of Joseph and his brothers. It explores themes of familial responsibility, the complexities of forgiveness, and the role of divine providence in human affairs. The chapter sets the stage for the eventual reconciliation and highlights the enduring bonds of family amidst trials and tribulations.
