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Genesis 43

Genesis 43 brings a fearful family back before Joseph, whose welcome and hidden tears leave his identity still undisclosed.

The grain from Egypt has run out, and Jacob’s household faces severe famine. Judah pledges to answer for Benjamin’s safety so that their father will let them return to Egypt with him. Jacob agrees, sends gifts and money, and asks God Almighty for mercy. In Egypt, the brothers fear arrest over the money found in their sacks. Instead, Joseph’s steward welcomes them, releases Simeon, and prepares them for a meal. Seeing Benjamin, Joseph withdraws to weep.

family conflictfear for the futurea big decision
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1The famine was severe in the land.
2When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.”
3Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’
5but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’”
7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones.
9I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever;
11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
12and 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.
14May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
15The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”
18The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”
19They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house,
20and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.
21When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand.
23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them.
24The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder.
25They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to the earth before him.
27He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?”
28They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly.
29He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”
30Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there.
31He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
32They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
33They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another.
34He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Genesis 43:11Jacob yields to the need to send Benjamin and prepares a gift from the land’s remaining produce.
Genesis 43:14Jacob asks God Almighty for mercy while acknowledging that sending his sons exposes him to further bereavement.
Genesis 43:30Joseph’s private tears reveal his love for Benjamin while his brothers remain unaware of who their host is.
Where this chapter reaches

The gift sent to Joseph shares with Proverbs the theme of a present opening access to someone in authority. Joseph’s tears over Benjamin share with John’s account of Jesus weeping the link between love for another person and tears.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do Jacob’s preparations and prayer reveal about his response to a risk he cannot remove?

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Where does the brothers’ fear differ from what is happening in Joseph’s house?

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Questions people ask about Genesis 43

Why does Jacob agree to send Benjamin in Genesis 43?

The household has exhausted its grain, and Judah explains that they cannot approach Egypt’s ruler without Benjamin. Judah pledges to bear the blame if Benjamin does not return. Faced with starvation, Jacob consents, sends a gift and money, and asks God Almighty to grant his sons mercy.

Why does Benjamin receive five times as much food?

The text records the larger portion without stating Joseph’s purpose. Benjamin is identified as Joseph’s brother through the same mother, and Joseph has just wept over him. The portion marks special favor. It may also expose how the brothers respond to that favor, though the chapter does not say this.

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What the Bible says about fear →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).