Judah is willing to sacrifice himself in order to save Benjamin, the favored son of Jacob. Judah's descendants will become the leaders of the Israelites and the godliest of the twelve tribes of Israel. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#favor and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#godly)
Joseph tests his brothers to see if they are good. They treat their brother Benjamin better than they treated Joseph and tried to protect him. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#test)
This begins a new event in the story. Most likely this is the next morning after the feast.
The "steward" was responsible for managing Joseph's household activities.
Their money was silver coins most likely in a small bag.
"in his sack"
"Put my silver cup"
The word "brother" is understood. Alternate translation: "in the youngest brother's sack" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
"The morning light shown"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they sent the men away, along with their donkeys" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
This question is used to scold the brothers. Alternate translation: "You have treated us badly, after we were good to you!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
This question is used to scold the brothers. Alternate translation: "You already know that this is the cup that my master uses for drinking and for fortune telling!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
This repeats "you have done" for emphasis. Alternate translation: "What you have done is very evil" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism)
"spoke what Joseph told him to say"
Here "words" stands for what was said. The brothers refer to the steward as "my master." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. It can be stated in the second person. Alternate translation: "Why are you saying this, my master?" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metonymy and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
The brothers refer to themselves as "your servants" and "they." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. Alternate translation: "We would never do such a thing!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Something that a person would never do is spoken of as if it were an object that person wants to put very far from himself. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
"Listen to what we are about to say and you will see that we are speaking the truth: the money"
"you know the money that we found in our sacks"
"we brought back to you from Canaan"
The brothers use a question to emphasize that they would not steal from the lord of Egypt. Alternate translation: "So we would never take anything from your master's house!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
These words are used together to mean that they would not steal anything of any value.
The brothers refer to themselves as "your servants." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. It can be stated in the first person. Also, "is found with it" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If you find that one of us has stolen the cup" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
The phrase "my master" refers to the steward. This can be stated in the second person. Alternate translation: "you may take us as your slaves" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
"Very well. I will do what you said." Here "now" does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If I find the cup in one of your sacks, that person will be my slave" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
"lowered his sack"
The word "brother" is understood. Alternate translation: "the oldest brother ... the youngest brother" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-ellipsis)
This can be translated as a new sentence and in active form. Alternate translation: "youngest. The steward found the cup in Benjamin's sack" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
The word "they" refers to the brothers. Tearing clothes was a sign of great distress and sorrow. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)
"donkey, and they returned"
"Joseph was still there"
"they fell before him." This is a sign of the brothers wanting the lord to be merciful to them. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#translate-symaction)
Joseph uses a question to scold his brothers. Alternate translation: "Surely you know that a man like me can learn things by magic!" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
All 3 questions mean basically the same thing. They use these questions to emphasize that there is nothing they can say to explain what happened. Alternate translation: "We have nothing to say, my master. We cannot speak anything of value. We cannot justify ourselves." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-parallelism and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
Here "my master" refers to Joseph. This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. It can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: "What can we say to you ... your slaves" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Here "found out" does not mean God just found out what the brothers did. It means God is now punishing them for what they did. Alternate translation: "God is punishing us for our past sins"
The brothers refer to themselves as "your servants." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. It can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: "our iniquity" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Here "hand" stands for the whole person. Also, "was found" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the one who had your cup" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
Something that a person would never do is spoken of as if it were an object the person wants put far away from him. Alternate translation: "It is not like me to do something like that" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Here "hand" stands for the whole person. Also, "was found" can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The man who had my cup" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
"approached"
Judah refers to himself as "your servant." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with more authority. This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: "let me, your servant" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
The word "ear" is a synecdoche that stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "speak to you, my master" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
Here "my master" refers to Joseph. This is a formal way of speaking to someone with more authority. This can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: "to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Being angry is spoke of as if it were a burning fire. Alternate translation: "please do not be angry with me, your servant" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Judah compares the master to Pharaoh to emphasize the great power that the master has. He is also implying that he does want the master to become angry and execute him. Alternate translation: "for you are as powerful as Pharaoh and could have your soldiers kill me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "My master asked us if we have a father or a brother." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Judah refers to Joseph with the words "my master" and "his." He also refers to himself and his brothers as "his servants." Alternate translation: "You, my master, asked us, your servants" or "You asked us" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Judah continues to speak before Joseph
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "And we said to my master that we have a father ... his father loves him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
This refers to love for a friend or family member.
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "And you said to your servants that we should bring our youngest brother to you so that you may see him" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Judah refers to himself and his brothers as "your servants." Alternate translation: "Then you said to us, your servants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt. Alternate translation: "Bring him to me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Judah refers to Joseph as "my master." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. Alternate translation: "we said to you, my master" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "In response, we said to my master that the boy cannot ... father would die" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
It is implied that their father would die from sorrow. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-explicit)
Judah continues his story to Joseph
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "Then you said to your servants that unless our youngest brother comes with us, we would not see you again." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Judah refers to himself and his brothers as "your servants." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. Alternate translation: "Then you said to us, your servants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.
Here "face" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "you will not see me again" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
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)
It was common to use the phrase "went up" when speaking of traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
Judah refers to Joseph as "my master." Alternate translation: "we told him what you said, my master" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "Our father told us to go again to Egypt to buy food for us and our families." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
It was common to use the word "down" when speaking of traveling from Canaan to Egypt.
This is a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: "Then we said to him that we cannot go down to Egypt. We told him that if our youngest brother is with us ... is with us" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Here "face" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "to see the man" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
Judah continues his story to Joseph.
This is the beginning of a three-level quote.
Here "us" does not include Joseph. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-exclusive)
Here "You" is plural and refers to the brothers. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-you)
The three-level quote that began in verse 27 continues.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "a wild animal has torn him to pieces" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-activepassive)
The three-level quote that began in verse 27 ends here.
The three-level quote that began with the words "Your servant ... said to us, 'You know ... two sons" in verse 27 and continued with the words "and I said, 'Surely ... since" in verse 28 ends here. You may need to change one or more of these levels to indirect quotes. "This is what your servant my father said to us: 'You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went out from me and I said that surely he had been torn in pieces, and I have not seen him since. Now if you also take this one from me, and harm comes to him, you will bring down my gray hair with sorrow to Sheol.'" or "Your servant my father told us that we knew that his wife had borne him two sons. One of them went out from him, and he said that surely that son had been torn in pieces, and he has not seen him since. He then said that if we also took this one from him, and harm came to him, we would bring down his gray hair with sorrow to Sheol." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotesinquotes and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-quotations)
Something bad happening to a person is spoken of as if "harm" were something that travels and comes to a person. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
To "bring down ... to Sheol" is way of saying they will cause him to die and go to Sheol. He uses the word "down" because it was commonly believed Sheol is somewhere underground. Alternate translation: "then you will cause me, an old man, to die of sorrow" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
This stands for Jacob and emphasizes his old age. Alternate translation: "me, an old man" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
Judah begins to describe what he expects will happen to Jacob if he returns to Jacob without Benjamin. Here "come" can be translated as "go" or "return."
The father saying he would die if his son died is spoken of as if their two lives were physically bound together. Alternate translation: "since he said he would die if the boy did not come back" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
Judah finishes describing what he expects to happen to Jacob if he returns to Jacob without Benjamin.
To "bring down ... to Sheol" is way of saying they will cause him to die and go to Sheol. He uses the word "down" because it was commonly believed Sheol is somewhere underground. Alternate translation: "And we your servants will have caused our old father to die of sorrow" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-idiom)
Judah refers to himself and his brothers as "your servants." This is a formal way of speaking to someone who has greater authority. Alternate translation: "And we, your servants" or "And we" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Here "gray hair" stands for Jacob and emphasizes his old age. Alternate translation: "our old father" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-synecdoche)
The abstract noun "guarantee" can be stated with the verb "promised." Alternate translation: "For I promised my father concerning the boy" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-abstractnouns)
Judah refers to himself as "your servant." Alternate translation: "For I, your servant" or "For I" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Being considered guilty is spoken of as if "guilt" were something that a person carries. Alternate translation: "then my father may blame me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)
This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.
Judah refers to himself as "your servant." This is a formal way of speaking to someone with greater authority. Alternate translation: "let me, your servant" or "let me" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
Judah refers to Joseph as "my master." Alternate translation: "to you, my master" or "to you" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-123person)
It was going to use the phrase "go up" when speaking about traveling from Egypt to Canaan.
Judah uses a question to emphasize the grief he would have if Benjamin did not return home. Alternate translation: "I cannot return to my father if the boy is not with me." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-rquestion)
A person suffering terribly is spoken of as if "evil" were a thing that comes upon a person. Alternate translation: "I am afraid to see how much my father would suffer" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=jit#figs-metaphor)