TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
World English Bible Messianic
They said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But they sayde vnto him, Nay, my lorde, but to bye vitayle thy seruants are come.
Young's Literal Translation
And they say unto him, `No, my lord, but thy servants have come to buy food;
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In the KJVVerse 1,263 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 42 verses 7–20
7 ¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
17 And he put them all together into ward three days.
18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
We may well wonder that Joseph, during the twenty years that he had now been in Egypt, especially during the last seven years that he had been in power there, never sent to his father to acquaint him with his circumstances; nay, it is strange that he who so often went throughout all the land of Egypt (Gen 41:45, Gen 41:46) never made an excursion to Canaan, to visit his aged father, when he was in the borders of Egypt, that lay next to Canaan. Perhaps it would not have been above three or four days' journey for him in his chariot. It is a probable conjecture that his whole management of himself in this affair was by special direction from Heaven, that the purpose of God concerning Jacob and his family might be accomplished. When Joseph's brethren came, he knew them by many a satisfactory token, but they knew not him, little thinking to find him there, Gen 42:8. He remembered the dreams (Gen 42:9), but they had forgotten them. The laying up of God's oracles in our hearts will be of excellent use to us in all our conduct. Joseph had an eye to his dreams, which he knew to be divine, in his carriage towards his brethren, and aimed at the accomplishment of them and the bringing of his brethren to repentance for their former sins; and both these points were gained.
I. He showed himself very rigorous and harsh with them. The very manner of his speaking, considering the post he was in, was enough to frighten them; for he spoke roughly to them, Gen 42:7. He charged them with bad designs against the government (Gen 42:9), treated them as dangerous persons, saying, You are spies, and protesting by the life of Pharaoh that they were so, Gen 42:16. Some make this an oath, others make it no more than a vehement asseveration, like that, as thy soul liveth; however it was more than yea, yea, and nay, nay, and therefore came of evil. Note, Bad words are soon learned by converse with those that use them, but not so soon unlearned. Joseph, by being much at court, got the courtier's oath, By the life of Pharaoh, perhaps designing hereby to confirm his brethren in their belief that he was an Egyptian, and not an Israelite. They knew this was not the language of a son of Abraham. When Peter would prove himself no disciple of Christ, he cursed and swore. Now why was Joseph thus hard upon his brethren? We may be sure it was not from a spirit of revenge, that he might now trample upon those who had formerly trampled upon him; he was not a man of that temper. But, 1. It was to enrich his own dreams, and complete the accomplishment of them. 2. It was to bring them to repentance. 3. It was to get out of them an account of the state of their family, which he longed to know: they would have discovered him if he had asked as a friend, therefore he asks as a judge. Not seeing his brother Benjamin with them, perhaps he began to suspect that they had made away with him too, and therefore gives them occasion to speak of their father and brother. Note, God in his providence sometimes seems harsh with those he loves, and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he has great mercy in store.
II. They, hereupon, were very submissive. They spoke to him with all the respect imaginable: Nay, my lord (Gen 42:10) - a great change since they said, Behold, this dreamer comes. They very modestly deny the charge: We are no spies. They tell him their business, that they came to buy food, a justifiable errand, and the same that many strangers came to Egypt upon at this time. They undertake to give a particular account of themselves and their family (Gen 42:13), and this was what they wanted.
III. He clapped them all up in prison for three days, Gen 42:17. Thus God deals with the souls he designs for special comfort and honour; he first humbles them, and terrifies them, and brings them under a spirit of bondage, and then binds up their wounds by the Spirit of adoption.
IV. He concluded with them, at last, that one of them should be left as a hostage, and the rest should go home and fetch Benjamin. It was a very encouraging word he said to them (Gen 42:18): I fear God; as if he had said, "You may assure yourselves I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know that, high as I am, there is one higher than I." Note, With those that fear God we have reason to expect fair dealing. The fear of God will be a check upon those that are in power, to restrain them from abusing their power to oppression and tyranny. Those that have no one else to stand in awe of ought to stand in awe of their own consciences. See Neh 5:15, So did not I, because of the fear of God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–20. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In Genesis 42:10, Joseph's brothers, standing before the powerful Egyptian governor whom they do not recognize as their own sibling, vehemently deny his accusation that they are spies. Their urgent and respectful plea, "Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come," underscores their desperate situation due to the widespread famine and highlights the unfolding drama of God's sovereign plan within the complex Joseph narrative, moving His chosen family towards preservation and reconciliation.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is a crucial turning point within the broader narrative of Joseph and his brothers, specifically following Joseph's initial, seemingly harsh accusation that they are spies. The preceding verses detail the brothers' journey from famine-stricken Canaan to Egypt, their bowing before Joseph (unbeknownst to them, fulfilling his youthful dreams), and Joseph's immediate recognition of them despite his concealed identity. Their response in Genesis 42:10 is an earnest and desperate denial, setting the stage for Joseph's subsequent tests—imprisoning them, demanding Benjamin's presence, and planting the silver cup—all designed to gauge their character, repentance, and the extent of their transformation since they sold him into slavery. This exchange is pivotal, moving the plot from initial encounter to deeper engagement with Joseph's redemptive plan.
Historical & Cultural Context: The ancient Near East was highly susceptible to famine, making Egypt, with its Nile-fed agriculture and vast grain stores, a vital source of sustenance during such crises. The title "my lord" (adonai) was a common and essential form of respectful address for a superior or high-ranking official, demonstrating appropriate deference to authority, especially when seeking favor or mercy. Accusations of being a "spy" (מרגלים, meraglim) were extremely serious, carrying potential penalties of imprisonment or death, as spies could gather intelligence for invading armies or subversive activities. The brothers' immediate and emphatic denial reflects the gravity of the charge and their genuine fear, highlighting the cultural understanding of such an accusation and the desperate measures people would take to survive a famine.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the Joseph narrative. It powerfully illustrates Divine Providence, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly random or adverse events—like the severe famine described in Genesis 41:56—to fulfill His purposes and preserve His covenant people. The brothers' forced humility and respectful address to Joseph underscore the theme of Reversal of Fortune and Humility, contrasting sharply with their earlier arrogance and cruelty towards their younger brother. Furthermore, Joseph's actions, including this accusation, initiate a period of Testing and Redemption, designed to bring his brothers to repentance and prepare them for a profound reconciliation, a process that culminates powerfully when Joseph reveals his identity and offers forgiveness.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices that enrich its meaning and dramatic impact. Irony is profoundly present, as the brothers, in their desperate plea to "my lord," are unknowingly bowing before the very brother they betrayed and sold into slavery. This situational irony heightens the dramatic tension and underscores the reversal of fortunes. There is also Dramatic Foreshadowing, as the brothers' humble posture and address implicitly point towards the eventual fulfillment of Joseph's prophetic dreams from Genesis 37, where his family would bow before him. Finally, Contrast is evident between the brothers' current deference and their past arrogance and cruelty towards Joseph, highlighting their changed circumstances and the long process of their transformation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative serves as a powerful testament to God's meticulous and unwavering Divine Providence. Even amidst human betrayal, famine, and misunderstanding, God is actively orchestrating events to bring about His perfect will, preserving His covenant people and fulfilling His ancient promises. The brothers' desperate journey and their unwitting encounter with Joseph are not coincidental but divinely appointed steps towards the salvation of Jacob's household and the eventual growth of the nation of Israel. This intricate tapestry of events reveals God's sovereignty over all circumstances, demonstrating His ability to use even human sin and suffering for redemptive purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Genesis 42:10 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's sovereign hand is at work even in our most confusing, desperate, or seemingly unjust circumstances. Just as Joseph's brothers, in their ignorance and need, were brought before the one who could save them, we too are often led through trials that, unbeknownst to us, are part of God's larger, redemptive plan. This narrative encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing His ultimate authority and provision, even when His methods seem harsh or unclear. It challenges us to trust that God can use challenging circumstances—whether personal "famines" or relational "accusations"—to accomplish His purposes, bring about transformation, and lead us to deeper reconciliation, both with Him and with others. The brothers' eventual confession of their guilt regarding Joseph in Genesis 42:21 highlights the process of confronting past wrongs and the humility required for true spiritual and relational restoration.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph accuse his brothers of being spies?
Answer: Joseph accused his brothers of being spies as a strategic test, not out of genuine belief or malice. He recognized them immediately, but they did not recognize him. This accusation served multiple purposes: it allowed him to assess their character, particularly whether they had repented of their past cruelty towards him; it created a situation that would compel them to bring Benjamin to Egypt, thus ensuring the safety of his full brother; and it orchestrated a series of events that would ultimately lead to their full reconciliation and the preservation of the entire family in Egypt, thereby fulfilling his earlier prophetic dreams of his family bowing before him, as seen in Genesis 37:5-10.
What is the significance of the brothers addressing Joseph as "my lord"?
Answer: The address "my lord" (Hebrew: adonai) is profoundly significant. It signifies their complete submission, respect, and acknowledgment of Joseph's supreme authority as the governor of Egypt. This is a dramatic and ironic reversal of their positions, as these are the same brothers who once scorned Joseph's youthful dreams of superiority and refused to acknowledge any authority he might have. Their humble address demonstrates a powerful fulfillment of Joseph's prophetic dreams (e.g., Genesis 37:7), where his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his sheaf, symbolizing their future submission to him. It highlights their desperate need and their complete dependence on Joseph's mercy, even though they remain unaware of his true identity.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, particularly his suffering, his testing of his brothers, and his ultimate role as a deliverer, serves as a profound and multifaceted type of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was rejected by His own people, as highlighted in John 1:11. He endured immense suffering, false accusations, and betrayal, yet He was ultimately exalted to a position of supreme authority and power, as affirmed in Philippians 2:9-11. Just as Joseph's brothers, unaware of his true identity, came to him in their desperation for physical sustenance and found salvation from famine, so too do all people, in their spiritual famine and sin, come to Christ, the true "Lord" and "master." In Him, they find the ultimate provision for their souls and reconciliation with God, as declared in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. Joseph's rigorous testing of his brothers led them to a place of repentance and ultimately secured the preservation of God's chosen family, powerfully prefiguring Christ's work in bringing humanity to repentance and securing eternal salvation for His spiritual family, the Church, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, as described in Romans 5:8-10.