King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave [them] water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The man brought the men into Yosef's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet, and he provided fodder for their donkeys.
Berean Standard Bible:
And the steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided food for their donkeys.
American Standard Version:
And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the man{H376} brought{H935} the men{H582} into Joseph's{H3130} house{H1004}, and gave{H5414} them water{H4325}, and they washed{H7364} their feet{H7272}; and he gave{H5414} their asses{H2543} provender{H4554}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 18:4
- Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
Genesis 24:32
- And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that [were] with him.
Genesis 19:2
- And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Luke 7:44
- And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head.
John 13:4
- He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
John 13:17
- If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 43:24
Genesis 43:24 is set within the broader narrative of Joseph and his brothers in the land of Egypt. The historical context is the period of a severe famine that affected the entire region, forcing Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt in search of food. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers years earlier, had risen to a position of power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, due to his ability to interpret dreams and his wise counsel.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Hospitality**: The act of providing water for washing feet and provender for the donkeys reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of hospitality, which was a significant social norm. It also demonstrates the generosity and care shown by Joseph, albeit indirectly through his servant, to his unsuspecting brothers.
2. **Family Reconciliation**: This gesture is part of a larger narrative of family estrangement and eventual reconciliation. Joseph's brothers do not recognize him, and he takes several steps to test them before revealing his identity, with the aim of reconciliation.
3. **Divine Providence**: The story of Joseph is often seen as an example of God's providence. Despite the brothers' earlier cruelty, God's plan is unfolding to bring about a greater good, preserving the family line that would become the nation of Israel.
4. **Cultural Practices**: The washing of feet was a common practice in the ancient world due to the dusty conditions of the roads. Providing for the animals was also part of the hospitality code, ensuring the well-being of both guests and their means of transportation.
5. **Suspense and Drama**: The narrative builds suspense as Joseph orchestrates the events leading to the eventual revelation of his identity. This verse is part of the tension-filled interactions between Joseph and his brothers before the climactic moment of recognition.
In summary, Genesis 43:24 reflects the cultural norms of hospitality in the ancient Near East, while also advancing the themes of family reconciliation and divine providence within the dramatic narrative of Joseph's life, which is a story of betrayal, rise to power, and ultimate forgiveness.
*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: 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: 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. - Strong's Number: H582
There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
Pronunciation: en-oshe'
Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ. - 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: 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. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H7364
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחַץ
Transliteration: râchats
Pronunciation: raw-khats'
Description: a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing); bathe (self), wash (self). - Strong's Number: H7272
There are 232 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֶגֶל
Transliteration: regel
Pronunciation: reh'-gel
Description: from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. - Strong's Number: H2543
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲמוֹר
Transliteration: chămôwr
Pronunciation: kham-ore'
Description: or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass. - Strong's Number: H4554
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְפּוֹא
Transliteration: miçpôwʼ
Pronunciation: mis-po'
Description: from an unused root meaning to collect; fodder; provender.