King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
Complete Jewish Bible:
So they approached the manager of Yosef's household and spoke to him at the entrance of the house:
Berean Standard Bible:
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
American Standard Version:
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spake unto him at the door of the house,
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And they came near{H5066} to the steward{H376} of Joseph's{H3130} house{H1004}, and they communed{H1696} with him at the door{H6607} of the house{H1004},
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Genesis 43:19
Genesis 43:19 is part of the narrative concerning Joseph and his brothers, which occurs during the period when famine afflicted the land of Canaan, where Jacob and his sons lived. The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Family Dynamics**: The brothers' approach to Joseph's steward reflects the tension and uncertainty in their relationships, as they are unaware that the steward is serving under Joseph, whom they had wronged years earlier by selling him into slavery.
2. **Providence and God's Plan**: The unfolding events are part of a larger divine plan to preserve the family of Jacob and to elevate Joseph to a position of power in Egypt, which will ultimately lead to the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.
3. **Hospitality and Reconciliation**: The interaction at the door of the house is a prelude to the hospitality that Joseph will extend to his brothers and sets the stage for their eventual reconciliation.
4. **Testing and Integrity**: Joseph is testing his brothers to see if they have changed since their betrayal of him. This moment at the door is part of that test, as he observes their behavior from a distance.
The historical context of this verse is set in the era when the Hebrew patriarchs were establishing themselves in Canaan, and the family of Jacob was interacting with the powerful and sophisticated civilization of Egypt. Joseph, having been sold into slavery by his brothers, had risen to a high position in Egypt due to his ability to interpret dreams and his wise administration. The famine mentioned is a regional crisis that drives Joseph's brothers to Egypt in search of food, leading to the series of events that include this encounter at Joseph's house.
*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: H5066
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַשׁ
Transliteration: nâgash
Pronunciation: naw-gash'
Description: a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back; (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. - 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work. - Strong's Number: H6607
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּתַח
Transliteration: pethach
Pronunciation: peh'-thakh
Description: from פָּתַח; an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way; door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place.