TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
We're all the sons of one man, we're upright men; your servants aren't spies."
American Standard Version
We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
World English Bible Messianic
We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men. Your servants are not spies.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Wee are all one mans sonnes: wee meane truely, and thy seruants are no spies.
Young's Literal Translation
we are all of us sons of one man, we are right men; thy servants have not been spies;'
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In the KJVVerse 1,264 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
Genesis 42:11 records the desperate plea of Joseph's brothers, who, facing a severe accusation of espionage from the powerful Egyptian governor they do not recognize as their long-lost sibling, vehemently assert their shared lineage and honest intentions, declaring, "We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies." This pivotal moment highlights their vulnerability and underscores the dramatic irony of their situation as they unknowingly stand before the brother they betrayed.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is embedded within the dramatic unfolding of Genesis chapter 42, which initiates the second major phase of the Joseph narrative. Following the severe famine that grips the entire region, Jacob sends his ten eldest sons to Egypt to purchase grain. Upon their arrival, they encounter Joseph, now the powerful vizier, who immediately recognizes them but chooses to conceal his identity. Joseph's accusation in Genesis 42:9, branding them as spies, is a calculated move designed to test their character, evoke their remorse, and ultimately compel them to bring Benjamin, his full brother, to Egypt, thereby setting the stage for the fulfillment of his prophetic dreams from Genesis 37:7. The brothers' collective response in this verse is a fervent and desperate self-defense, emphasizing their shared heritage and honest intentions within this unfolding divine drama.
Historical & Cultural Context: During periods of widespread famine, Egypt, with its predictable Nile floods and advanced agricultural systems, often served as a granary for the ancient Near East. People from surrounding lands, including Canaan, would travel there to buy food. The accusation of "spies" was a serious charge in the ancient world, often punishable by death, as it implied an intent to gather intelligence for a foreign power, posing a direct threat to national security. The concept of family lineage and tribal identity was paramount; being "one man's sons" implied a shared loyalty, trustworthiness, and a common purpose, making the idea of one brother spying against another, or a family collectively engaging in espionage, culturally incongruous. Furthermore, the practice of a powerful official testing foreign visitors was not uncommon, serving both as a security measure and a display of authority.
Key Themes: The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of Divine Providence, demonstrating how God orchestrates human actions and circumstances, even seemingly negative ones like Joseph's harshness, to fulfill His ultimate redemptive plan for Israel, as seen in Genesis 50:20. The brothers' desperate plea also underscores the theme of Guilt and Repentance, as their current distress is a direct consequence of their past sin against Joseph, pushing them towards self-examination and eventual contrition. Furthermore, the emphasis on their shared lineage, "one man's sons," foreshadows the eventual Reconciliation and Restoration of the Family of Israel, a central goal of Joseph's testing, which culminates in Genesis chapter 45.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse is rich in Irony, as Joseph's brothers, in their desperate plea of innocence, unknowingly stand before the very brother they betrayed years ago. Their assertion of being "one man's sons" is profoundly ironic, given their past disunity and cruelty towards Joseph. There is also a strong Contrast between their self-proclaimed identity as "true men" and the accusation of being "spies," highlighting the tension and misunderstanding of the scene. The overall tone is one of Pleading and Supplication, as the brothers, in a vulnerable position, attempt to convince a powerful authority figure of their integrity through their words.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:11 serves as a powerful illustration of God's intricate and often mysterious work in human history, demonstrating His sovereign hand even through the fractured relationships and misunderstandings of individuals. The brothers' desperate declaration of truth, born out of fear and confusion, is part of a larger divine tapestry designed to bring about repentance, reconciliation, and the preservation of God's covenant people. This narrative underscores that God's purposes are often realized through challenging circumstances, where human sin and suffering are ultimately redeemed for good, shaping character and preparing hearts for deeper revelation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:11 offers profound insights into the human condition, reminding us of the innate desire to be seen as truthful and trustworthy, especially when facing accusations. The brothers' desperate plea highlights the importance of integrity in our interactions and the weight of our reputation. For us, this passage encourages self-examination: are we living lives that reflect truth and honesty, even when it's difficult? Furthermore, it serves as a powerful reminder that God often uses challenging, confusing, or even seemingly unjust circumstances to bring about His greater purposes. Just as Joseph's brothers were unaware of the divine orchestration behind their trials, we too must learn to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when our immediate circumstances are bewildering or painful. This narrative invites us to cultivate patience, humility, and a willingness to allow God to work through our difficulties for our spiritual growth and for the ultimate good of His kingdom, knowing that He is always at work, even when His hand is hidden.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph accuse his brothers of being spies?
Answer: Joseph's accusation of his brothers being spies was not based on genuine belief, but rather a deliberate and strategic maneuver. His primary motivations were to test their character, determine if they had changed from the cruel and deceitful men who sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28), and to compel them to bring his full brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. This was essential for the fulfillment of his prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:5-10) and to orchestrate a complete family reunion and reconciliation, which was crucial for the preservation of the nascent nation of Israel during the severe famine. Joseph used this "test" to gauge their integrity and to set in motion the events that would lead to God's redemptive plan for his family.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, particularly the scene in Genesis 42:11, serves as a profound and compelling type of Christ. Joseph, though rejected by his own brothers (John 1:11) and subjected to immense suffering and humiliation, is ultimately exalted to a position of power, becoming the unexpected savior who preserves the lives of his family and the lineage of Israel during a time of famine. Similarly, Jesus, the Son of God, was rejected by His own people, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians/2-7-8), yet was exalted by God to be Lord and Christ. He is the ultimate deliverer and preserver of humanity, providing spiritual sustenance and eternal life as the true "Bread of Life" (John 6:35). Joseph's hidden identity, his testing of his brothers, and his eventual revelation leading to reconciliation mirror Christ's first coming in humility, His testing of humanity through His teachings and life, and His ultimate revelation as Lord and Savior, bringing about reconciliation between God and humanity (Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:20). Just as Joseph used his power to bring about good from evil, Christ's sacrifice on the cross transformed the ultimate evil into the ultimate good, offering redemption and new life to all who believe.