Genesis 42:34

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

but bring your youngest brother to me. By this I will know that you aren't spies, but are upright men; then I will return your brother to you; and you will do business in the land.'"

Berean Standard Bible:

But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”

American Standard Version:

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 traffic in the land.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And bring^{H935} your youngest^{H6996} brother^{H251} unto me: then shall I know^{H3045} that ye are no spies^{H7270}, but that ye are true^{H3651} men: so will I deliver^{H5414} you your brother^{H251}, and ye shall traffick^{H5503} in the land^{H776}.

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Commentary for Genesis 42:34

1. Themes:
- Trust and Verification: The verse emphasizes the theme of trust, as Joseph, the brother who was sold into slavery and now holds a powerful position in Egypt, requires proof of his brothers' honesty. He insists on meeting the youngest brother, Benjamin, to confirm that they are not spies but honest men.
- Family Reconciliation: The demand to bring Benjamin is part of a larger narrative of family conflict and potential reconciliation. Joseph's testing of his brothers is a step towards the eventual restoration of family relationships fractured by jealousy and betrayal.
- Divine Providence: The unfolding events suggest a larger plan at work, where the brothers' actions, Joseph's rise to power, and the famine are all part of God's providential care for Israel's family, the ancestors of the Israelite nation.

2. Historical Context:
- The narrative is set during a severe famine that affected the entire region, including Canaan, where Jacob and his sons lived. Jacob's sons, except for Benjamin, travel to Egypt to buy grain.
- Joseph, whom his brothers had sold into slavery years earlier, is now a high-ranking official in Egypt, overseeing the distribution of grain during the famine. He recognizes his brothers when they come to Egypt, but they do not recognize him.
- The brothers' initial visit to Egypt and their interaction with Joseph, who speaks through an interpreter, sets the stage for a series of events designed to test their integrity and their treatment of the youngest brother, Benjamin, whom they had left at home.
- This verse is part of the broader story of Joseph, which is significant for its portrayal of God's guidance in human affairs and for its role in the formation of the Israelite people's identity.

In summary, Genesis 42:34 reflects themes of trust, family reconciliation, and divine providence against the backdrop of a severe famine in the ancient Near East, where Joseph's brothers must prove their honesty to secure food and the release of their brother Simeon, who has been detained in Egypt.

*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: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6996
   There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָטָן
   Transliteration: qâṭân
   Pronunciation: kaw-tawn'
   Description: or קָטֹן; from קוּט; abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance); least, less(-er), little (one), small(-est, one, quantity, thing), young(-er, -est).
   
3. 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-'.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3045
   There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָדַע
   Transliteration: yâdaʻ
   Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
   Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. 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.
   
8. Strong's Number: H5503
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָחַר
   Transliteration: çâchar
   Pronunciation: saw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; to travel round (specifically as a pedlar); intensively, to palpitate; go about, merchant(-man), occupy with, pant, trade, traffick.
   
9. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.