Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
Simply Put"Corn" (חִטָּה, Strong's H2551) was the grain that fed a nation. Jacob sees this bounty in Egypt and asks his sons, "Why do you look at each other?" He fears their jealousy may cause division in a time of scarcity.
2
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
Simply PutJacob has heard that Egypt has "corn" (H2551). He urges his sons to go down there so they can "live, and not die." In a famine, the promise of food becomes a lifeline to hope.
3
And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
Simply PutThe ten brothers take the journey. They step out of their familiar land, trusting that God will provide through foreign means.
4
But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
Simply PutJacob holds back Benjamin. He fears "mischief" might befall him—an anxiety that the youngest could be harmed or lost. A father's protectiveness mirrors God's care for His cherished children.
5
And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
Simply PutThe famine grips Canaan, forcing the Israelites to seek "corn" (H2551) elsewhere. In God's story, scarcity often drives us toward dependence on Him.
6
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
Simply PutJoseph is the "governor" (שַׂר, H7585) of Egypt. When his brothers bow down with their faces to the earth, they show humility before authority—mirroring how we must humble ourselves before God.
7
And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
Simply PutJoseph recognizes his brothers but pretends ignorance, speaking "roughly" (חֶרְפָּה, H2387) to test them. He asks, "Whence come ye?" The hidden question probes their integrity.
8
And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
Simply PutJoseph knows his brothers, but they do not recognize him. This mystery sets the stage for divine revelation.
9
And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Simply PutRemembering his dreams, Joseph accuses them of being "spies" (רָגַז, H7252) to see the "nakedness of the land," a phrase indicating vulnerability. He challenges them to reveal their true motives.
10
And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
Simply PutThe brothers deny being spies, pleading that they are simply there to buy food. Their honesty is a desperate appeal for mercy.
11
We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
Simply PutThey assert they are "all one man's sons" and "true men." Their unity is a plea for trust in the midst of suspicion.
12
And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Simply PutJoseph repeats his accusation that they came to see the nakedness (עֶרְוַת, H5395) of the land. He seeks to uncover hidden intent.
13
And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
Simply PutThey explain that they are twelve brothers, the sons of one man. The youngest brother stays home with their father—Jacob.
14
And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
Simply PutJoseph reiterates that he called them spies earlier. The accusation hangs heavily in the air.
15
Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
Simply PutHe declares that by Pharaoh's life, they will not leave unless their youngest brother returns. Their fate hangs on familial loyalty.
16
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
Simply PutHe orders one to be bound (קַשֵׁר, H7005) in the house of prison to test their honesty. The threat of being bound underscores the seriousness of truth.
17
And he put them all together into ward three days.
Simply PutJoseph gathers them together for three days. This period of waiting intensifies their anxiety and reliance on God.
18
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
Simply PutOn the third day, Joseph says they must act "for I fear God." The Hebrew word for fear (יִרְאָה, H3588) implies reverent awe that guides his decision.
19
If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
Simply PutHe instructs them to bind one brother in prison while they take corn back home. Their compliance reflects trust amidst uncertainty.
20
But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
Simply PutHe demands they bring the youngest brother to verify their words, promising they will not die. Their obedience shows hope in divine provision.
21
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
Simply PutThe brothers confess guilt, recalling how they once ignored their brother's anguish. Their remorse fuels a longing for forgiveness.
22
And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
Simply PutReuben reminds them of his warning not to sin against the child. He feels responsible for Benjamin's "blood" (דָּם, H1691) being at stake.
23
And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
Simply PutThey do not realize Joseph understands them through an interpreter. Hidden meanings often convey deeper truths.
24
And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
Simply PutJoseph turns away, weeps, then returns to bind Simeon before their eyes. His tears reveal a heart burdened by past wounds.
25
Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
Simply PutHe commands them to fill their sacks with corn and restore each man's money, providing provisions for the way. This generosity restores hope.
26
And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
Simply PutThey load their donkeys with corn and depart, moving toward a brighter future.
27
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth.
Simply PutAs one opens his sack for the donkey, he discovers his money inside. The unexpected return of wealth signals divine favor.
28
And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?
Simply PutTheir hearts fail as they fear what God has done to them. The Hebrew term "failed" (כָּאֵב, H2896) captures their trembling awe.
29
And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
Simply PutThey return to Jacob and recount all that happened in Egypt, sharing the story of their trial.
30
The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
Simply PutThey describe how the lord of the land spoke harshly, treating them as "spies" (H7252). The experience left a bitter taste on their tongues.
31
And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:
Simply PutThey insist they are "true men" and not spies. Their denial reflects a desire to be seen as honest.
32
We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
Simply PutThey recount being twelve brothers, with the youngest staying home. Their family narrative underscores their unity.
33
And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
Simply PutThe lord of the land says he will know they are true men if one stays with him while they take food. This test of loyalty mirrors God's own tests.
34
And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
Simply PutHe adds that if they bring the youngest brother, he will know they are not spies but true men. He promises to deliver their brother.
35
And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
Simply PutAs they empty their sacks, each finds his money restored. The sight of the bundles frightens them, signaling God's unseen hand.
36
And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
Simply PutJacob mourns that his children have been taken—Joseph and Simeon, with Benjamin threatened. He sees these events as attacks against his family.
37
And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
Simply PutReuben vows to slay (הוֹרֵג, H5979) his two sons if he fails to bring Benjamin back. He offers himself as the guarantee.
38
And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Simply PutJacob refuses, fearing further loss. He warns that if mischief befalls Benjamin, his gray hairs will fall to the grave—an image of deep sorrow and aging.
