Genesis 42:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Next he ordered that their containers be filled with grain, that every man's money be put back in his pack and that they be given provisions for the journey. When these things had been done for them,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,

American Standard Version:

Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with grain, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus was it done unto them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Joseph{H3130} commanded{H6680} to fill{H4390} their sacks{H3627} with corn{H1250}, and to restore{H7725} every man's{H376} money{H3701} into his sack{H8242}, and to give{H5414} them provision{H6720} for the way{H1870}: and thus{H3651} did he{H6213} unto them.

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Peter 3:9

  • Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Genesis 45:21

  • And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

Matthew 6:33

  • But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Romans 12:17

  • Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:21

  • Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Genesis 44:1

  • ¶ And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks [with] food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

Genesis 44:2

  • And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

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Commentary for Genesis 42:25

Genesis 42:25 is a part of the narrative concerning Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and later rose to power in Egypt. The historical context of this verse is set during a time of severe famine, which affected not only Egypt but also the land of Canaan where Jacob and his family lived.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Divine Providence**: Joseph's command to fill the sacks of his brothers with corn and return their money reflects a theme of God's providence. Despite the brothers' past actions against Joseph, he chooses to provide for them, hinting at a larger plan for reconciliation and redemption.

2. **Brotherly Reconciliation**: The story of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful narrative about forgiveness and restoration. Joseph's actions set the stage for a future reconciliation, as he begins to reveal himself to his brothers in a controlled manner, testing their integrity and their concern for their father and younger brother, Benjamin.

3. **Testing and Integrity**: Joseph's actions also serve as a test of his brothers' character. By returning their money and giving them extra provisions, he is observing whether they have changed since their betrayal of him years earlier.

4. **Stewardship**: Joseph's role in Egypt as the steward of Pharaoh's grain reserves is evident. His management of the famine resources demonstrates his wisdom and administrative skill, which ultimately saves many lives, including those of his own family.

5. **Foreshadowing**: The act of returning the money to the brothers foreshadows the eventual revelation of Joseph's identity and the emotional reunion that will follow. It also sets up a situation where the brothers will be compelled to return to Egypt, leading to further developments in the narrative.

In summary, Genesis 42:25 is a pivotal verse in the story of Joseph, highlighting themes of divine providence, brotherly reconciliation, integrity, stewardship, and foreshadowing, all set against the backdrop of a severe famine in the ancient Near East.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3130
    There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹסֵף
    Transliteration: Yôwçêph
    Pronunciation: yo-safe'
    Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף.
  2. Strong's Number: H6680
    There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָוָה
    Transliteration: tsâvâh
    Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
    Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.
  3. Strong's Number: H4390
    There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָלֵא
    Transliteration: mâlêʼ
    Pronunciation: maw-lay'
    Description: or מָלָא; (Esther 7:5), a primitive root; to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively); accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly.
  4. Strong's Number: H3627
    There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כְּלִי
    Transliteration: kᵉlîy
    Pronunciation: kel-ee'
    Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever.
  5. Strong's Number: H1250
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּר
    Transliteration: bâr
    Pronunciation: bawr
    Description: or בַּר; from בָּרַר (in the sense of winnowing); grain of any kind (even while standing in the field); by extension the open country; corn, wheat.
  6. Strong's Number: H7725
    There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שׁוּב
    Transliteration: shûwb
    Pronunciation: shoob
    Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
  7. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
  8. Strong's Number: H3701
    There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כֶּסֶף
    Transliteration: keçeph
    Pronunciation: keh'-sef
    Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling).
  9. Strong's Number: H8242
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שַׂק
    Transliteration: saq
    Pronunciation: sak
    Description: from שָׁקַק; properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e. coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grain, etc.); sack(-cloth, -clothes).
  10. Strong's Number: H5414
    There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָתַן
    Transliteration: nâthan
    Pronunciation: naw-than'
    Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
  11. Strong's Number: H6720
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צֵידָה
    Transliteration: tsêydâh
    Pronunciation: tsay-daw'
    Description: or צֵדָה; feminine of צַיִד; food; meat, provision, venison, victuals.
  12. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
  13. Strong's Number: H3651
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: כֵּן
    Transliteration: kên
    Pronunciation: kane
    Description: from כּוּן; properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles); [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you.
  14. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.