Genesis 43:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they got their gift ready for Yosef's arrival at noon, for they had heard that they were going to eat a meal there.

Berean Standard Bible:

Since the brothers had been told that they were going to eat a meal there, they prepared their gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon.

American Standard Version:

And they made ready the present against Joseph’s coming at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And they made ready^{H3559} the present^{H4503} against^{H5704} Joseph^{H3130} came^{H935} at noon^{H6672}: for they heard^{H8085} that they should eat^{H398} bread^{H3899} there.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 43:25

**Genesis 43:25**

**Themes:**
- Hospitality: The verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern custom of bringing gifts when visiting a host, especially one of high status. The brothers' preparation of a present for Joseph demonstrates their understanding of this social norm.
- Family Reconciliation: The context of this verse is part of the larger narrative of Joseph and his brothers. The act of preparing a present is part of the complex process of reconciliation between Joseph, who is now a powerful Egyptian official, and his estranged brothers who had previously sold him into slavery.
- Divine Providence: The brothers' actions are part of a larger divine plan that is unfolding. Their journey to Egypt and the subsequent events are orchestrated by God to bring about the preservation of the Israelite family, which will become the nation of Israel.

**Historical Context:**
- Famine: The story is set during a time of severe famine in the region. Joseph's brothers have come to Egypt to buy grain because of the famine in Canaan.
- Joseph's Position: Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, had been sold into slavery by his brothers years earlier. He eventually rose to a high position in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, due to his ability to interpret dreams and his wise counsel.
- The Brothers' Return: This is the second trip the brothers make to Egypt. On the first trip, Joseph, whom they did not recognize, accused them of being spies. He demanded that they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty.
- Cultural Practices: The act of preparing a gift and the mention of eating bread at noon reflect the cultural practices of the time, including the importance of meal times and gift-giving as a sign of respect and goodwill.

In summary, Genesis 43:25 is set within the context of a famine that brings Joseph's brothers to Egypt. It highlights themes of hospitality, family reconciliation, and divine providence, while also reflecting the historical customs and social practices of 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: H3559
   There are 210 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כּוּן
   Transliteration: kûwn
   Pronunciation: koon
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix, prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper or prosperous); certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness, fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet, ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self), provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright, fast, forth), be stable, (e-) stablish, stand, tarry, [idiom] very deed.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4503
   There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִנְחָה
   Transliteration: minchâh
   Pronunciation: min-khaw'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary); gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5704
   There are 97 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַד
   Transliteration: ʻad
   Pronunciation: ad
   Description: properly, the same as עַד (used as a preposition, adverb or conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with); against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6672
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֹהַר
   Transliteration: tsôhar
   Pronunciation: tso'-har
   Description: from צָהַר; a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon; midday, noon(-day, -tide), window.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
8. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3899
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֶחֶם
   Transliteration: lechem
   Pronunciation: lekh'-em
   Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.