Genesis 42:10

And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

And they said {H559} unto him, Nay, my lord {H113}, but to buy {H7666} food {H400} are thy servants {H5650} come {H935}.

"No, my lord,"they replied, "your servants have come to buy food.

β€œNot so, my lord,” they replied. β€œYour servants have come to buy food.

And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

Commentary

In Genesis 42:10, Joseph's brothers, standing before the powerful governor of Egypt (unbeknownst to them, their own brother Joseph), vehemently deny his accusation that they are spies. Their urgent plea, "Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come," underscores their desperate situation and the unfolding drama of the Joseph narrative.

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph and his brothers. A severe famine has gripped the land of Canaan, compelling Jacob's ten elder sons to travel to Egypt, where they hear there is grain. Upon their arrival, they bow before Joseph, who instantly recognizes them but chooses to conceal his identity. Remembering his prophetic dreams from his youth (Genesis 37:5-11), Joseph tests his brothers by accusing them of being spies sent to discover the land's weaknesses (Genesis 42:9). Their response in this verse is an earnest denial, emphasizing their sole purpose: to purchase sustenance for their starving families back home.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence: This encounter, though filled with tension and misunderstanding, is a clear demonstration of God's overarching plan. He orchestrated events, including the famine that spread across the earth (Genesis 41:56-57), to bring Joseph's brothers to him, ultimately leading to the preservation of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.
  • Desperation and Survival: The brothers' immediate and emphatic denial highlights the critical nature of their mission. Their families are starving, and their very survival depends on acquiring food.
  • Humility and Subservience: The address "my lord" signifies their complete submission to Joseph's authority, a stark contrast to their former arrogance towards their younger brother.
  • Testing and Redemption: Joseph's actions, while seemingly harsh, are part of a divine test designed to bring his brothers to repentance and prepare them for future reconciliation (Genesis 45:4-8).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "my lord" (Hebrew: אֲדֹנִי, adonai) is a respectful form of address acknowledging Joseph's high position and authority as the governor of Egypt. It's significant because these are the same brothers who once scorned Joseph and refused to acknowledge his youthful dreams of superiority. Their current posture of humility and respectful address speaks volumes about the reversal of their fortunes and Joseph's elevated status.

Practical Application

The narrative of Joseph and his brothers, encapsulated in moments like this verse, offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • God's Sovereignty in Adversity: Even through famine, false accusations, and family estrangement, God was meticulously working out His plan for good. We are reminded that God can use challenging circumstances to accomplish His purposes and bring about ultimate restoration.
  • The Path to Reconciliation: This story emphasizes the process of facing past wrongs, even if unknowingly, and the humility required for true reconciliation. Joseph's testing ultimately led his brothers to confront their guilt regarding him (Genesis 42:21).
  • Trusting God's Plan: The brothers, focused solely on buying food, had no idea they were part of a much larger, divine narrative of provision and redemption. This encourages us to trust that God is at work in our lives, even when His methods are unclear or seem difficult.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 37:8

    And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

  • 1 Samuel 26:17

    And Saul knew David's voice, and said, [Is] this thy voice, my son David? And David said, [It is] my voice, my lord, O king.

  • Genesis 44:9

    With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

  • Genesis 27:37

    And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

  • Genesis 27:29

    Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee.

  • 1 Kings 18:7

    And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, [Art] thou that my lord Elijah?
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