Genesis 43

Genesis 43 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter
Israel's concern

Israel is concerned over his favored son, Benjamin. He is also confused about the reason the Egyptian official treated them so kindly. This caused him some concern. It is possible he thought his sons were lying to him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#favor)

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Genesis 43:1

The famine was severe in the land

The word "Canaan" is understood. This information can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "The famine was severe in the land of Canaan" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Genesis 43:2

It came about

This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#writing-newevent)

when they had eaten

"when Jacob and his family had eaten"

they had brought

"Jacob's older sons had brought"

buy us

Here "us" refers to Jacob, his sons, and the rest of the family. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

Genesis 43:3

Judah told him

"Judah told his father Jacob"

The man

This refers to Joseph, but the brothers did not know it was Joseph. They referred to him as "the man" or "the man, the lord of the land" as in Genesis 42:30.

warned us, 'You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

This has a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "warned us that we would not see his face unless we brought our youngest brother with us" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

solemnly warned us

"was very serious when he warned us, saying"

You will not see my face

Judah uses this phrase twice in 43:3-5 to emphasize to his father that they cannot return to Egypt without Benjamin. The phrase "my face" refers to the man, who is Joseph. Alternate translation: "You will not see me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

your brother is with you

Judah is referring to Benjamin, Rachel's last born before she died.

Genesis 43:4

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Genesis 43:5

we will not go down

It was common to use the phrase "go down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Genesis 43:6

Why did you treat me so badly

"Why did you cause me so much trouble"

Genesis 43:7

The man asked details

"The man asked many questions"

about us

Here "us" is exclusive and refers to the brothers who went to Egypt and spoke with "the man." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

He said, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?'

This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "He asked us directly if our father was still alive and if we had another brother." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

We answered him according to these questions

"We answered the questions he asked us"

How could we have known that he would say ... down?

The sons use a question emphasize that the did not know what the man would tell them to do. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "We did not know he would say ... down!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'

This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "he would tell us to bring our brother down to Egypt." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)

Bring your brother down

It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Genesis 43:8

We will rise and go that we may live and not die, both we, you, and also our children

The phrases "we may live" and "not die" mean the same thing. Judah is emphasizing that they have to buy food in Egypt in order to survive. Alternate translation: "We will go now to Egypt and get grain so our whole family will live" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism)

We will rise

Here "We" refers to the brothers who will travel to Egypt. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

we may live

Here "we" refers to the brothers, Israel, and the whole family. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

both we

Here "we" refers to the brothers. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

we, you

Here "you" is singular and refers to Israel. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)

also our children

Here "our" refers to the brothers. This refers to the small children who were most likely to die during a famine. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)

Genesis 43:9

I will be a guarantee for him

The abstract noun "guarantee" can be stated as the verb "promise." Alternate translation: "I will promise to bring him back" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

You will hold me responsible

How Jacob will hold Judah responsible can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "You will make me answer to you about what happens to Benjamin" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

let me bear the blame

This speaks about "blame" as if it were an object that a person has to carry. Alternate translation: "you may blame me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)

Genesis 43:10

For if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have come back here a second time

They delayed because their father waited so long to send his sons to Egypt to get more food. Judah is complaining that they could not go sooner. He wishes that they had not delayed. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-hypo)

we would have come back here a second time

"we could have gone and returned twice"

Genesis 43:11

If it be so, now do this

"If this is our only choice, then do it"

Carry down

It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

balm

an oily substance with a sweet smell used for healing and protecting skin. See how you translated this word in Genesis 37:25. Alternate translation: "medicine"

spices

seasonings. See how you translated these words in Genesis 37:25.

pistachio nuts

small, green tree nuts (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-unknown)

almonds

tree nuts with a sweet flavor (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-unknown)

Genesis 43:12

Take double money in your hand

Here "hand" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "Take double the money with you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

The money that was returned in the opening of your sacks, carry again in your hand

Here "hand" stands for the whole person. The phrase "that was returned" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "take back to Egypt the money someone put in your sacks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

Genesis 43:13

Take also your brother

"Take also Benjamin"

go again

"return"

Genesis 43:14

May God Almighty give you mercy before the man

The abstract noun "mercy" can be stated as the adjective "kind." Alternate translation: "May God Almighty cause the man to be kind to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

your other brother

"Simeon"

If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved

"If I lose my children, then I lose my children." This means that Jacob knows he must accept whatever happens to his sons.

Genesis 43:15

in their hand they took

Here "hand" refers to the entire person. Alternate translation: "they took" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

went down to Egypt

It was common to use the phrase "went down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Genesis 43:16

Benjamin with them

"Benjamin with Joseph's older brothers"

the steward of his house

The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.

Genesis 43:17

He brought the men

Here "brought" can be translated as "took." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-go)

to Joseph's house

"into Joseph's house"

Genesis 43:18

The men were afraid

"Joseph's brothers were afraid"

they were brought to Joseph's house

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they were going into Joseph's house" or "the steward was taking them into Joseph's house" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we were brought in

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The steward is bringing us into the house because of the money that someone put back in our sacks" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)

that he may seek an opportunity against us. He might arrest us

This can be translated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "He is waiting for the opportunity to accuse us, so that he might arrest us"

Genesis 43:19

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Genesis 43:20

we came down

It is common to use the phrase "came down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Genesis 43:21

Connecting Statement:

The brothers continue speaking to the steward of the house.

It came about

This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.

when we reached the lodging place

"when we came to the place that we were going to stay for the night"

behold

The word "behold" here shows that the brothers were surprised by what they saw.

every man's money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full weight

"each one of us found the full amount of his money in his sack"

We have brought it back in our hands

Here "hands" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "We have brought the money back with us" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

Genesis 43:22

Other money we have also brought down in our hand to buy food

Here "hand" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "We have also brought more money to buy food" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

brought down

It common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.

Genesis 43:23

Peace be to you

The abstract noun "Peace" can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Relax" or "Calm yourselves" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)

Your God and the God of your father

The stewards is not speaking about two different Gods. Alternate translation: "Your God, the God your father worships"

Genesis 43:24

washed their feet

This custom helped tired travelers to refresh themselves after walking long distances. The full meaning of this statement may be made explicit. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

feed to their donkeys

"Feed" is dry food that is set aside for animals

Genesis 43:25

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Genesis 43:26

they brought the gifts which were in their hand

Here "hand" stands for the entire person. Alternate translation: "the brothers brought the gifts they had with them" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

bowed down before him

This is a way of showing honor and respect. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)

Genesis 43:27

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Genesis 43:28

Your servant our father

They refer to their father as "Your servant" to show respect. Alternate translation: "Our father who serves you"

they bowed down and gave him honor

They lay down in front of the man to show him respect.

Genesis 43:29

he lifted up his eyes

This means "he looked up." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

his mother's son, and he said

This can be translated with a new sentence. Alternate translation: "his mother's son. Joseph said"

Is this your youngest brother ... me?

Possible meanings are 1) Joseph is truly asking a question to confirm that this man is Benjamin, or 2) it is a rhetorical question. Alternate translation: "So this is your youngest brother ... me." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)

my son

This is a friendly way one man speaks to another man of lower rank. Alternate translation: "young man"

Genesis 43:30

hurried to go out of the room

"hurried out of the room"

for he was deeply moved about his brother

The phrase "deeply moved" refers to having a strong feeling or emotion when something important happens. Alternate translation: "for he had strong feelings of compassion for his brother" or "for he had strong feelings of affection for his brother" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)

Genesis 43:31

saying

It can be made explicit to whom Joseph is speaking. Alternate translation: "and said to his servants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

Serve the food

This means to distribute the food so that people may eat.

Genesis 43:32

The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves. The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves

This means that Joseph, the brothers, and the other Egyptians are eating in three different places within the same room. Alternate translation: "The servants served Joseph by himself and the brothers by themselves and the Egyptians, who were eating with him, by themselves"

The Egyptians there ate with him by themselves

These are probably other Egyptian officials who ate with Joseph, but they still sat separately from him and the Hebrew brothers.

because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is detestable to the Egyptians

This can be translated as a new sentence: "They did this because the Egyptians thought it was shameful to eat with the Hebrews"

could not eat bread

Here "bread" stands for food in general. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)

Genesis 43:33

The brothers sat before him

It is implied that Joseph had arranged where each brother would sit. You can make clear the implied information. Alternate translation: "The brothers sat across from the man, according to how he arranged their places" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)

the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth

The "firstborn" and the "youngest" are used together to mean all the brothers were sitting in order according to their age. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-merism)

The men were astonished together

"The men were very surprised when they realized this"

Genesis 43:34

But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of his brothers

The phrase "five times" can be stated more generally. Alternate translation: "But Benjamin received a portion that was much bigger than what his brothers received"