King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother. Meanwhile, you will be kept in custody. This will prove whether there is any truth in what you say. Otherwise, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies."
Berean Standard Bible:
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
American Standard Version:
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Send{H7971} one{H259} of you, and let him fetch{H3947} your brother{H251}, and ye shall be kept in prison{H631}, that your words{H1697} may be proved{H974}, whether there be any truth{H571} in{H854} you: or else{H3808} by the life{H2416} of Pharaoh{H6547} surely ye are spies{H7270}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 42:11
- We [are] all one man's sons; we [are] true [men], thy servants are no spies.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 42:16
Genesis 42:16 is a verse set within the broader narrative of Joseph's interactions with his brothers, who had come to Egypt seeking grain during a severe famine. Joseph, whom the brothers had previously sold into slavery, is now a high-ranking official in Egypt, but he conceals his identity from them. In this verse, Joseph, unrecognized by his brothers, accuses them of being spies, a serious charge in any kingdom, especially in Egypt, which was known for its suspicion of foreigners who might pose a threat to the nation's security and prosperity.
The historical context of this verse is the patriarchal period, where the family of Jacob (Israel) is central to the narrative. Egypt, at this time, was a powerful and prosperous nation, and its abundance of grain made it a crucial source of food during regional famines. The theme of this verse revolves around trust, deception, and divine providence. Joseph's accusation of espionage serves as a test of his brothers' honesty and loyalty, particularly in their willingness to protect their youngest brother, Benjamin, whom Joseph insists must be brought to him as proof of their story's truthfulness.
The verse also touches on the theme of justice and mercy, as Joseph contemplates the fate of his brothers. While he has the power to imprison them, he instead devises a plan that will ultimately reveal their character and lead to a family reconciliation. This moment is pivotal in the narrative of Joseph, highlighting his moral integrity and foreshadowing the eventual resolution of the family's estrangement. It is a reflection of how God's purposes can be worked out through human schemes and historical events, leading to personal transformation and the fulfillment of divine promises.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H259
There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶחָד
Transliteration: ʼechâd
Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H631
There are 565 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָסַר
Transliteration: ʼâçar
Pronunciation: aw-sar'
Description: a primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle; bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, keep, make ready, order, prepare, prison(-er), put in bonds, set in array, tie. - Strong's Number: H1697
There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבָר
Transliteration: dâbâr
Pronunciation: daw-baw'
Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. - Strong's Number: H974
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּחַן
Transliteration: bâchan
Pronunciation: baw-khan'
Description: a primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate; examine, prove, tempt, try (trial). - Strong's Number: H571
There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶמֶת
Transliteration: ʼemeth
Pronunciation: eh'-meth
Description: contracted from אָמַן; stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness; assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. - Strong's Number: H854
There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵת
Transliteration: ʼêth
Pronunciation: ayth
Description: probably from אָנָה; properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.; against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. - Strong's Number: H3808
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֹא
Transliteration: lôʼ
Pronunciation: lo
Description: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles; [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. - Strong's Number: H2416
There are 452 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַי
Transliteration: chay
Pronunciation: khah'-ee
Description: from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively; [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - Strong's Number: H6547
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּרְעֹה
Transliteration: Parʻôh
Pronunciation: par-o'
Description: of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings; Pharaoh. - Strong's Number: H7270
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָגַל
Transliteration: râgal
Pronunciation: raw-gal'
Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from רֶגֶל; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer (i.e. slander); to lead about; backbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view.