Gênesis 42
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Gênesis 42:1-5
42:1 "Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt" The VERB "see" is used twice in Gen. 42:1. "Jacob saw," BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "Why are you staring at one another," Hithpael IMPERFECT This same word is used of Pharaoh's dream (cf. Gen. 41:19,22,28) and by Joseph for Pharaoh to look for a discerning and wise man (cf. Gen. 41:33). This common VERB is used in this chapter several times (i.e., Gen. 42:1 [twice],7,9,12,21,27,35). Rashi says that he had a divine vision, but he probably saw that others in Canaan were purchasing grain from Pharaoh (cf. Gen. 47:14). 42:2 Jacob commands his sons to go to Egypt to sustain (i.e., "live and not die") the family. go down there, BDB 432, KB 434, Qal IMPERATIVE buy some for us, BDB 991, KB 1404, Qal IMPERATIVE so that we may live, BDB 310, KB 309, Qal imperfect used in a COHORTATIVE sense. The famine was pervasive and severe! 42:3-4 Jacob still did not trust the brothers. They had somehow been a part of Joseph's death and he would not trust something similar to happen to Rachel's only remaining child, Benjamin. 42:4 "that harm may befall him" The term "harm" (BDB 62) is rare (cf. Gen. 44:29; Exod. 21:22,23) and implies a life-threatening accident. Jacob is fearful for the life of the only child of his beloved, deceased Rachel (i.e., Benjamin, Joseph's younger full brother). One wonders if Jacob thought he would be the leader of the family. This VERB (BDB 896, II KB 1131, Qal IMPERFECT) is used in a negative sense here and in Lev. 10:19; Deut. 31:29; Job 4:14; Isa. 51:19; Jer. 13:22; 44:23, and is usually translated "befall." 42:5 "So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming" Some wonder why Jacob sent all of his sons (earlier he had divided his family for safety, cf. Gen. 32:22-32). It was possibly because each individual could only buy so much grain that there was safety in numbers ▣ "for the famine was in the 1and of Canaan also" From history we know that famine periodically swept through this part of the world (see IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 72. It was caused by lack of rain at the appropriate time too much rain or cold insects blight, mildew Canaan was dependant on regular natural cycles, but Egypt was dependant on the Nile (i.e., flooding annually).
Gênesis 42:6-7
42:6 "And Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground" Not only does this verse seem to fulfill Joseph's dream of Gen. 37:6-9, but also 43:28; and 44:14. 42:7 "he recognized them" The VERB "regard, "recognize" (BDB 647, KB 699) is used twice in Gen. 42:7 (Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, Hithpael IMPERFECT) with waw and twice in Gen. 42:8 (Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, Hiphil PERFECT). They were still bearded and dressed in the traditional garb of the nomadic tribes. On the other hand Joseph was clean shaven, finely dressed, in a place of authority, and he spoke Egyptian. All of these things disguised him well from his brothers. ▣ "he recognized. . .he disguised" Both of these VERBS come from the same root, נכר. recognized, BDB 647, KB 699, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Gen. 27:23; 37:33; 38:25,26; 42:7,8 (twice); Deut. 33:9 disguised (lit. "treat as a stranger"), BDB 649, KB 699, Hithpael IMPERFECT with waw, cf. 1 Kgs. 14:5,6 It is uncertain if there are two separate Hebrew roots or two usages. ▣ NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta "harshly" "roughly" "hard words" "sternly" The ADJECTIVE (BDB 904) means "hard," or "severe." It is used in 1 Sam. 25:3 to describe Nabal's personality. Here it describes the tone of Joseph's voice (cf. 1 Sam. 20:10), as well as the content of his accusations (i.e., they were spies).
Gênesis 42:8-17
42:9 "Joseph remembered the dreams" This refers to chapter 37. Joseph had named his first son Manasseh ("making to forget"), but the memories of his brothers' betrayal came flooding back. ▣ "You are spies" The Rabbinical Midrash says that Jacob told his sons to enter the city by different gates and that Joseph observed this and used it to accuse them of being spies (BDB 920, KB 1183, Piel PARTICIPLE, cf. Jos. 2:1; 6:22-23; 1 Sam. 26:4). Joseph did this in order to test their motives and character. ▣ "the undefended parts of the land" NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA "the nakedness of the land" "where the country is weak" "the country's weak points" "the marks (i.e., scrutinize the tracks) of the land" "the weak points of our defences" "a report about the land" This term (BDB 788) is literally "naked" (cf. Gen. 9:22-23) or "bare." The sense here (determined by the context) is the area of Egypt without forts or military guards. It is a false accusation to test Jacob's children. 42:11 "we are honest men" "Honest" (BDB 467 II, cf. Gen. 42:11,19,31,34) is used in the sense of irony of what they had earlier done to Joseph. They appeared as upright, forthright men, but they had acted in evil ways (cf. Genesis 34,37). 42:13 "the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive" The last phrase is obviously referring to Joseph. It is ironical that they are speaking this to his face without knowing who he was. 42:15 "by the life of Pharaoh" Many commentators have criticized Joseph for taking this oath twice. It fits his disguise! He is obviously not using it in a theological sense. However, it is a reference to the Egyptian tradition that Pharaoh was the son of the sun god, Re. This very oath has been found on Egyptian monuments. 42:16 Joseph makes several commands and demands. send one of you, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Qal,IMPERATIVE that he may get your brother, BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense while you remain in prison, BDB 63, KB 75, Niphal IMPERATIVE that your words be tested, BDB 103, KB 119, Niphal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense 42:17 "So he put them all in the prison for three days" Apparently Joseph wanted them to experience some of the agony that he had gone through at their expense.
Gênesis 42:18-25
42:18-20 Joseph's commands and demands continue. do this, Gen. 42:18, BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE live, Gen. 42:18, BDB 310, KB 309, Qal IMPERATIVE let one of your brothers be confined, Gen. 42:19, BDB 63, KB 75, Niphal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense go, Gen. 42:19, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERATIVE carry grain, Gen. 42:19, BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil IMPERATIVE bring your brother to me, Gen. 42:20, BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense so your words may be verified, Gen. 42:20, BDB 52, KB 63, Niphal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense 42:18 "for I fear God" This phrase could relate to Joseph's oaths in Pharaoh's name (cf. Gen. 42:15,16) or to his fear of the divine in general related to his charges against these ten men. Joseph is asserting, in a roundabout way, his integrity and spirituality (cf. Gen. 20:11). He did fear/revere Elohim. ▣ "I fear God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) 42:20 "verified" See SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT 42:21 "They said to each other, 'we are truly guilty concerning our brother'" They felt that God was punishing them because of their sin against Joseph. This is obvious from Gen. 42:21,22,28 and 44:16. There is a sense that we reap what we sow (cf. Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pro. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:6-7; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). However, there is also another biblical truth that God does not deal with us according to our sins (cf. Ps. 103:10). We do not receive temporal punishment for all of our sins, or we would all be dead and yet there are occasions when God does do this. 42:22 "Reuben answered them saying, 'Did I not tell you, "Do not sin against the boy"; and you would not listen'" This is probably the first time that Joseph had ever heard that Reuben had tried to defend him (cf. Gen. 37:22-24). Now these brothers believed that Joseph's innocent blood was crying out for vengeance as Abel's blood did against his brother in Genesis 4. 42:23 "They did not know, however, that Joseph understood for there was an interpreter between them" They were speaking Hebrew; Joseph apparently only spoke Egyptian to them through an interpreter. Again, this was part of the disguise until he was able to ascertain whether his brothers had overcome the biases which caused them to sin against him over twenty years earlier. This Hebrew VERB translated "there was an interpreter" (BDB 539, KB 529, Hiphil PARTICIPLE) usually denotes scorn or mockery. In the Hiphil stem it denotes derision, Job 16:20; Ps. 119:51 interpreter, here an envoy, 2 Chr. 32:31 All of the uses of this VERB in the OT occur in a negative context (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 799). 42:24 "wept" Joseph was apparently a sensitive man (cf. Gen. 43:30; 45:14,15). ▣ "he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes" Obviously Reuben, the firstborn, was the leader of the group and had apparently tried to help Joseph, so the obvious choice was Simeon. He was the second born and many commentators believe that fierce anger seen in his destruction of the men of Shechem (cf. Genesis 34) may have involved him in the original plot to hurt Joseph.
Gênesis 42:26-28
42:25-29 The nine brothers were afraid that this would jeopardize Simeon's release. The level of their concern is expressed in their hearts sank, Gen. 42:28 (lit. "their hearts went out from them"), BDB 422, KB 425, Qal IMPERFECT with waw they turned trembling to one another, Gen. 42:28, BDB 353, KB 350, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, cf. Gen. 27:33; 1 Sam. 16:4; 21:1; 1 Kgs. 1:49 42:27 "sack" There are two different Hebrew terms translated "sack" in this verse. "sack" (BDB 974), which is a common term for "sackcloth" (used here) "sack" (BDB 607), which is found only in this account about Joseph and his brothers. It refers to a sack carrying grain. The answer for the use of the two terms may be that one refers to a money pouch (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 843) and the other a sack for grain (cf. James W. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, p. 49). 42:28 "What is this that God has done to us" They still were feeling the divine judgment for their actions against Joseph.
Gênesis 42:29-34
42:29-34 The nine brothers relate to their father, Jacob, all that happened in Egypt. 42:34 "you may trade in the land" This VERB (BDB 695, KB 749, Qal IMPERFECT) is translated "trade" (cf. Gen. 23:16), but its use in Gen. 34:10 implies a meaning of "travel about freely." It is possible that it refers specifically to returning to Egypt for more grain when necessary (cf. Gen. 43:2).
Gênesis 42:35-38
42:35-38 The family discusses the situation and what to do. They decide to do nothing for the moment. 42:35 The difference between Gen. 42:27 and Gen. 42:35 is "one" of them in Gen. 42:27 and "they" in Gen. 42:35. This is not a doublet, but an intensification of the problem that had frightened them earlier (cf. Gen. 42:28). ▣ "dismayed" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) 42:36 "You have bereaved me of my children; Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me" Notice that Jacob takes the occurrences as a personal affront. There seems to be an implied accusation that the brothers were somehow involved in the loss of Joseph. 42:37 "Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying" This is really a dumb offer! Why would Jacob, because of the loss of his sons, kill his grandsons?! It was an attempt by Reuben to assure his father, but it did quite the opposite. Jacob would wait until Judah's offer in Gen. 43:8-9 the reality of no food to finally allow Benjamin to go with them 42:38 "Sheol" This is the OT term used for the place of the dead. The doctrine of the afterlife is somewhat veiled in the OT, but it is obvious that they believed in an afterlife where families were together. It is true that it was a shadowy, joyless state, but a conscious state nonetheless. The term Sheol is translated by the term Hades in the NT. Apparently all human beings went to this holding place of the dead. For that reason the rabbis speculate that there is a righteous part and a wicked part of Hades. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEAD, WHERE ARE THEY?, I. B. and II. B.