Genesis Chapter 42

The Explained Book of Genesis Chapter 42 by Anietie Hanson

 Study Bible: Genesis Chapter 42 – Joseph’s Brothers Journey to Egypt

Introduction

Genesis Chapter 42 shifts the narrative to Joseph’s brothers, who travel to Egypt in search of food during a severe famine. Unbeknownst to them, the powerful ruler they encounter is their brother Joseph, whom they sold into slavery years earlier. This chapter explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the unfolding of God’s providential plan to reunite Joseph’s family and preserve the covenant people.

With 38 verses, Genesis Chapter 42 illustrates divine reconciliation through human struggles and tensions. Let us explore each verse thoroughly, uncovering its symbolism and deeper meanings using the World English Bible (WEB).

Verse-by-Verse Explanation

Genesis 42:1

"Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, 'Why do you look at one another?'"

Explanation: Jacob’s observation about grain in Egypt indicates his awareness of Egypt’s preparedness during the famine, contrasting with the lack of resources in Canaan. His rhetorical question—“Why do you look at one another?”—implies frustration at his sons’ lack of initiative, urging them to seek solutions. Proverbs 6:6 admonishes: "Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise." This verse sets the stage for the brothers’ journey to Egypt and their eventual encounter with Joseph.

Genesis 42:2

"He said, 'Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.'"

Explanation: Jacob’s directive highlights his leadership as the patriarch of the family, taking responsibility for their survival. The phrase “so that we may live, and not die” reflects the dire nature of the famine and the urgency of their situation. This moment echoes God’s promise to preserve Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:7–8). Psalm 33:18–19 reminds us: "Behold, God’s eye is on those who fear him… to deliver their soul from death." The journey to Egypt aligns with God’s providential plan.

Genesis 42:3–4

"Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, 'Lest perhaps harm happen to him.'"

Explanation: The decision to send Joseph’s ten brothers without Benjamin reveals Jacob’s protective instincts, as Benjamin is the last remaining son of Rachel. Jacob’s fear—“lest perhaps harm happen to him”—reflects his traumatic loss of Joseph and his favoritism toward Benjamin. Proverbs 29:25 warns: "The fear of man proves to be a snare." This dynamic foreshadows tension between Jacob’s partiality and God’s plan for reconciliation.

Genesis 42:5

"The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan."

Explanation: The term “sons of Israel” signifies the collective identity of Jacob’s family, connecting them to God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their arrival in Egypt during the famine marks the fulfillment of God’s plan to bring them into contact with Joseph. Amos 3:7 affirms: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets." This verse highlights divine orchestration even in times of hardship.

Genesis 42:6

"Joseph was the governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth."

Explanation: Joseph’s role as governor fulfills his earlier dreams of authority and leadership (Genesis 37:7). The brothers bowing before him fulfills the prophetic imagery of his dreams, though they are unaware of his identity. Philippians 2:10 reflects this concept: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." This moment underscores God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and sets the stage for the brothers’ recognition of Joseph.

Genesis 42:7

"Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, 'Where did you come from?' They said, 'From the land of Canaan to buy food.'"

Explanation: Joseph’s recognition of his brothers sparks a pivotal moment of emotional and spiritual significance. By acting like a stranger and speaking roughly, Joseph conceals his identity, likely to test their character and sincerity. This interaction also demonstrates wisdom as Joseph gathers information. Proverbs 14:29 advises: "He who is slow to anger has great understanding." Joseph’s restraint and approach foreshadow a process of reconciliation that requires examination and repentance.

Genesis 42:8–9

"Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him. Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, 'You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!'"

Explanation: The brothers’ failure to recognize Joseph symbolizes their obliviousness to the ways God has transformed him. Joseph’s accusation of spying tests their intentions while creating an opportunity to assess their trustworthiness. The mention of Joseph remembering his dreams reminds us of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as seen in Genesis 37:5–9. Isaiah 55:11 reflects: "My word... will not return to me void." Joseph’s confrontation begins a process that will reveal the brothers’ hearts.

Genesis 42:10–11

"They said to him, 'No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all one man’s sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies.'"

Explanation: The brothers’ defense—“we are honest men”—contrasts with their earlier betrayal of Joseph, highlighting the irony of their statement. Their assertion of being one man’s sons emphasizes their familial bond, which Joseph is testing to evaluate their unity and integrity. Proverbs 21:2 reveals: "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but God weighs the hearts." This interaction reveals Joseph’s desire to discern their true character.

Genesis 42:12–13

"He said to them, 'No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land!' They said, 'We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is today with our father, and one is no more.'"

Explanation: Joseph’s repeated accusation of spying pressures the brothers into revealing details about their family, including the existence of Benjamin and their assumption that Joseph is “no more.” This moment underscores the brothers’ belief that their past actions are buried, while Joseph gathers evidence of their current integrity. Ecclesiastes 12:14 warns: "For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing." Joseph’s probing sets the stage for uncovering their guilt and repentance.

Genesis 42:14–16

"Joseph said to them, 'It is like I told you, saying, "You are spies!" By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go out from here, unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him get your brother; and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.'"

Explanation: Joseph’s testing of his brothers focuses on their willingness to prove their honesty by bringing Benjamin to Egypt. His use of “by the life of Pharaoh” reinforces the seriousness of his demand. This test forces the brothers to demonstrate their accountability and unity as a family. Psalm 26:2 parallels Joseph’s intent: "Examine me, God, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind." Joseph’s strategy reveals his wisdom in handling their reunion.

Genesis 42:17

"He put them all together into custody for three days."

Explanation: Joseph’s decision to place his brothers in custody for three days serves both as a test and a symbolic period of reflection for them. This act mirrors Joseph’s own experience of imprisonment, providing an opportunity for his brothers to contemplate their actions. The number three often signifies completeness or preparation in Scripture (e.g., Jesus’ resurrection on the third day). Hosea 6:2 reflects this theme: "After two days he will revive us. On the third day, he will raise us up." This detention period sets the stage for their repentance.

Genesis 42:18–20

"Joseph said to them on the third day, 'Do this, and live, for I fear God. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be bound in your prison house; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses. Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.' They did so."

Explanation: By stating, “I fear God,” Joseph signals his moral compass while maintaining his guise as a stranger. His offer allows the brothers to return with grain for their families while leaving one brother as collateral, testing their willingness to prove their honesty by bringing Benjamin. This arrangement reflects Joseph’s desire to balance justice with compassion, as he provides for their needs despite the test. Micah 6:8 encapsulates his approach: "What does God require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Genesis 42:21–22

"They said to one another, 'We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.' Reuben answered them, saying, 'Didn’t I tell you, saying, "Don’t sin against the child," and you wouldn’t listen? Therefore also, behold, his blood is required.'"

Explanation: The brothers’ admission—“We are certainly guilty”—reveals their lingering guilt over selling Joseph into slavery and their belief that the current distress is divine punishment. Reuben’s rebuke underscores his earlier attempt to save Joseph (Genesis 37:21–22) and highlights their collective accountability. Galatians 6:7 confirms this principle: "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." This moment marks the beginning of their journey toward repentance and reconciliation.

Genesis 42:23–24

"They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them. He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes."

Explanation: Joseph’s use of an interpreter conceals his identity, allowing him to observe their unguarded reflections. His weeping reflects his inner turmoil and compassion as he witnesses their guilt and contrition. The binding of Simeon, a leadership figure among the brothers, emphasizes the seriousness of their test while providing a visible symbol of their need for redemption. Isaiah 63:9 reminds us: "In all their affliction he was afflicted." Joseph’s tears reveal the depth of his love for his brothers despite their past betrayal.

Genesis 42:25

"Then Joseph gave a command to fill their bags with grain, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provisions for the way. So it was done to them."

Explanation: Joseph’s generosity—returning their money and providing for their journey—demonstrates his grace and foreshadows his eventual forgiveness. The act of restoring their money also serves as another test, raising questions of integrity when the brothers discover it. Proverbs 25:21–22 captures this principle: "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink." Joseph’s actions reflect God’s grace in providing abundantly even when unearned.

Genesis 42:26–28

"They loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. He said to his brothers, 'My money is restored! Behold, it is in my sack!' Their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'"

Explanation: The discovery of the restored money in one brother’s sack triggers fear and guilt among the brothers, as they perceive it as a divine act of retribution for their past sins. Their question—“What is this that God has done to us?”—reflects their awareness of moral accountability. Job 34:11 reminds us: "For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways." Their response shows the weight of unresolved guilt and the conviction that their actions are catching up with them.

Genesis 42:29–34

"They came to Jacob their father, to the land of Canaan, and told him all that had happened to them, saying, 'The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country. We said to him, "We are honest men. We are not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more, and the youngest is today with our father in the land of Canaan." The man, the lord of the land, said to us, "Hereby I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. So I will deliver your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land."'"

Explanation: The brothers recount their encounter with Joseph, emphasizing his stern demeanor and his demand to bring Benjamin to prove their honesty. Their explanation includes details about being accused of spying, leaving Simeon in Egypt, and the conditions for his release. This retelling heightens the tension within Jacob’s household and reflects the unfolding of God’s plan for reconciliation. Proverbs 12:19 affirms the value of truth: "Truth’s lips will be established forever." The brothers’ partial truth shows they are beginning to grapple with their past deceit.

Genesis 42:35

"As they emptied their sacks, behold, each man’s bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid."

Explanation: The discovery that all the brothers’ money was returned deepens their fear and heightens the perceived threat of misunderstanding in Egypt. This act, orchestrated by Joseph, serves as both a test of integrity and an opportunity to reveal God’s hand in their lives. Psalm 33:10 highlights God’s sovereignty: "The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing." Their reaction reflects their growing awareness of divine involvement in their circumstances.

Genesis 42:36

"Jacob, their father, said to them, 'You have bereaved me of my children. Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin away. All these things are against me.'"

Explanation: Jacob’s lament—“All these things are against me”—captures his anguish and pessimism as he grieves over the loss of Joseph, the absence of Simeon, and the prospect of sending Benjamin to Egypt. His reaction demonstrates his lack of understanding of God’s greater plan to reunite and preserve his family. Romans 8:28 reassures: "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God." Jacob’s despair contrasts with God’s unfolding redemptive plan.

Genesis 42:37–38

"Reuben spoke to his father, saying, 'Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again.' Jacob said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm happens to him on the way in which you go, then you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.'"

Explanation: Reuben’s bold offer to guarantee Benjamin’s safety—“Kill my two sons, if I don’t bring him to you”—demonstrates his desperation to regain his father’s trust. However, Jacob’s refusal to send Benjamin highlights his overwhelming fear and grief, rooted in his favoritism and traumatic loss of Joseph. His statement—“he alone is left”—reveals his inability to see God’s providence in preserving his family. Psalm 94:19 provides hope: "In the multitude of my thoughts within me, your comforts delight my soul." Jacob’s resistance delays the inevitable reconciliation orchestrated by God.

Questions and Answers on Genesis Chapter 42

1.      Why does Jacob send his sons to Egypt in Genesis 42:2?

o    Jacob hears that there is grain in Egypt during the famine and takes responsibility for his family’s survival.

2.      Why doesn’t Jacob send Benjamin with his brothers in Genesis 42:4?

o    Jacob fears losing Benjamin, as he is the last remaining son of Rachel, after believing Joseph is dead.

3.      What role does Joseph’s accusation of spying play in Genesis 42:9?

o    It serves as a test to assess his brothers’ integrity and remorse for their past betrayal.

4.      What does Joseph’s detention of his brothers signify in Genesis 42:17?

o    It reflects both his testing of their sincerity and a parallel to his own experience of imprisonment.

5.      Why does Joseph return the brothers’ money in Genesis 42:25?

o    As a test of their integrity, while also demonstrating grace and generosity toward his family.

6.      How do the brothers’ reflections in Genesis 42:21–22 reveal their guilt?

o    Their acknowledgment of wrongdoing against Joseph shows their recognition of divine justice.

7.      Why does Jacob say, “All these things are against me,” in Genesis 42:36?

o    Jacob expresses despair, unaware that God is working through the circumstances to fulfill His plan.

8.      What does Reuben’s pledge in Genesis 42:37 reveal about his character?

o    It shows his willingness to take responsibility for Benjamin’s safety, though Jacob still distrusts him.

9.      How does the chapter demonstrate God’s providence?

o    Through Joseph’s position of authority, the famine, and the testing of the brothers, God’s plan to reunite and preserve Jacob’s family unfolds.

10.  Why are the brothers afraid upon finding their money in Genesis 42:28 and 42:35?

o    They fear being accused of theft, increasing their anxiety and guilt over past sins.

11.  What is the significance of Simeon being held in Egypt in Genesis 42:24?

o    It tests the brothers’ commitment to unity and demonstrates the gravity of their situation.

12.  How does Genesis 42 prepare for future reconciliation?

o    By forcing the brothers to confront their guilt, God sets the stage for healing and restoration within the family.

Final Thoughts

Genesis Chapter 42, with its 38 verses, portrays a powerful narrative of guilt, testing, and the beginnings of reconciliation. The chapter highlights Joseph’s wisdom and grace as he tests his brothers, while also showing the family’s struggle with unresolved guilt and grief. Through these events, God’s providence unfolds, guiding the family toward repentance and eventual restoration.

Key Themes:

1.      Guilt and Repentance: The brothers confront their past actions and begin to acknowledge their guilt.

2.      Testing and Integrity: Joseph’s tests reveal the brothers’ character and readiness for reconciliation.

3.      Divine Providence: God uses the famine and Joseph’s position to orchestrate the preservation of Jacob’s family.