Short answer: Genesis 43 records the brothers' return to Egypt with Benjamin after Jacob's reluctant permission, their audience with Joseph, the feast at Joseph's house, and Joseph's deep emotion at seeing his younger brother. The chapter reveals the brothers' growing integrity and Joseph's hidden compassion.
Introduction
Genesis 43 shows the next stage in Joseph's testing of his brothers. The famine forces Jacob to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt. The brothers return with double money and gifts, anxious about the mysterious events of their first visit. Joseph, overwhelmed at seeing Benjamin, must control his emotions. The chapter highlights the transformation taking place in the brothers, especially Judah, who steps forward as a leader.
Jacob's Reluctant Permission (43:1-14)
The famine continues. Jacob tells his sons to return to Egypt for more grain. Judah reminds him that the Egyptian official insisted on seeing Benjamin. Jacob rebukes them for revealing they had another brother. Judah pledges personal guarantee for Benjamin's safety: 'I will be responsible for him. If I don't bring him back to you, let me bear the blame forever.' Jacob finally relents, sending gifts, double money, and Benjamin.
The famine was severe in the land. When 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.” Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food; but 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.’ ” Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?” They 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?’ ” Judah 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. I’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; for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.” Their 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; and 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. Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. May 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.”
Genesis 43:1-14 (World English Bible)
The Brothers Fear and Prepare (43:15-25)
The brothers go to Egypt and present themselves to Joseph's steward. They explain about the money found in their sacks, offering to return it. The steward reassures them: 'Peace be to you. Don't be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.' He brings Simeon out to them and prepares them for a meal at Joseph's house.
The 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. When 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.” The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house. The 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.” They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. When 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. We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.” He 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. The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
Genesis 43:15-25 (World English Bible)
Joseph Sees Benjamin (43:26-31)
When Joseph arrives, the brothers bow and present their gifts. Joseph asks about their father's welfare. He sees Benjamin and blesses him: 'God be gracious to you, my son.' Deeply moved by love for his brother, Joseph hurries to his private room and weeps. He composes himself and orders the meal to be served.
When 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. He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?” They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. He 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.” Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.”
Genesis 43:26-31 (World English Bible)
The Feast — Benjamin's Portion (43:32-34)
The brothers are seated separately from the Egyptians, who consider it an abomination to eat with Hebrews. The brothers are amazed to be seated in birth order. Benjamin's portion is five times larger than any other brother's — a final test of their jealousy.
They 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. They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another. He 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.
Genesis 43:32-34 (World English Bible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joseph seat the brothers in birth order?
Joseph's seating arrangement — by exact birth order — was a subtle demonstration of his knowledge, alarming the brothers and reinforcing the mysterious nature of the Egyptian governor. It would have been impossible for an Egyptian to know their ages, suggesting supernatural insight.
Why did Joseph give Benjamin five times more food?
Joseph's favoritism toward Benjamin mirrored Jacob's earlier favoritism toward Joseph himself. This test was designed to see if the brothers would resent Benjamin as they had resented Joseph. Their lack of jealousy this time demonstrated their transformation.
What is the significance of Judah's pledge in Genesis 43?
Judah's willingness to personally guarantee Benjamin's safety marks a major character transformation. Earlier, Judah proposed selling Joseph into slavery. Now he offers himself as surety for Benjamin. This change prepares for Judah's later role as the leader of the tribes and the ancestor of the Messiah.
Biblical Fidelity Check
This article faithfully presents the biblical account of the brothers' second journey to Egypt as recorded in Genesis 43. The narrative of Judah's pledge, Joseph's emotional reunion with Benjamin, and the feast are drawn directly from the World English Bible translation.
Related Bible Studies
- Genesis 37 — Joseph's Dreams
- Genesis 42 — Joseph's Brothers in Egypt
- Genesis 44 — The Silver Cup
- Genesis 45 — Joseph Reveals Himself
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