Genesis 42:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559}, Thy servants {H5650} are twelve {H8147}{H6240} brethren {H251}, the sons {H1121} of one {H259} man {H376} in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}; and, behold, the youngest {H6996} is this day {H3117} with our father {H1}, and one {H259} is not.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kena'an; the youngest stayed with our father, and another one is gone."

Berean Standard Bible

But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

American Standard Version

And they said, We 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:13 captures the dramatic moment when Joseph's brothers, unknowingly speaking to their long-lost sibling, declare their family structure to the Egyptian governor, stating, "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." This confession, steeped in profound irony and sorrow, serves as a pivotal point in Joseph’s divine plan to reunite his family and bring them to Egypt.

### CONTEXT
This verse unfolds during a severe famine that has compelled Joseph's ten elder brothers to journey from Canaan to Egypt in search of grain, as instructed by their father, Jacob. They stand before Joseph, whom they fail to recognize in his Egyptian attire and position of authority, yet he immediately discerns their identity. Joseph, orchestrating a test to humble them and advance God's redemptive purposes, accuses them of being spies. In their desperate attempt to prove their innocence and reveal their true, non-threatening nature, they offer this detailed, yet tragically incomplete, account of their family.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The brothers' declaration in Genesis 42:13 is rich with layers of meaning and dramatic irony, revealing both their current predicament and the long shadow of their past actions.

* **Unknowing Confession and Dramatic Irony:** The statement, "Thy servants [are] twelve brethren... and one [is] not," is profoundly ironic. The brothers are unknowingly confessing the truth about their family to the very brother they believe to be dead and whose absence they are now forced to acknowledge. This highlights God’s sovereign hand, using their honest (though incomplete) testimony to advance His intricate plan for their family and the nascent nation of Israel. The phrase "one [is] not" (Hebrew: *einennu*) is a poignant and definitive declaration of Joseph's presumed absence, underscoring the finality they associated with his disappearance, a belief they had allowed their father to endure for years.
* **Family Dynamics and Enduring Grief:** Their mention of "the youngest [is] this day with our father" refers to Benjamin, Jacob's only other son by his beloved wife Rachel ([Genesis 35:18](/genesis/35-18 "Learn about Rachel's death and Benjamin's birth")). This detail underscores Jacob's deep attachment to Benjamin, who had become the sole comfort after Joseph's presumed death. The brothers' reluctance to bring Benjamin to Egypt, due to Jacob's protective nature, will become a crucial element in Joseph's subsequent tests and the unfolding drama ([Genesis 42:15-16](/genesis/42-15 "Read Joseph's demand for Benjamin in Genesis 42:15")).
* **Divine Providence Orchestrating Events:** This interaction is a critical step in Joseph's elaborate plan, which began with his prophetic dreams ([Genesis 37:5](/genesis/37-5 "Read about Joseph's prophetic dreams")), continued through his enslavement ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Learn about Joseph being sold into slavery")), and culminated in his rise to power in Egypt ([Genesis 41:40](/genesis/41-40 "Explore Joseph's appointment as governor")). God orchestrates these events, even through human ignorance, past wrongs, and a devastating famine, to fulfill His greater purposes. Joseph's later understanding of God's hand in these events is explicitly stated in his reconciliation with his brothers ([Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Read Joseph's perspective on God's purpose in Genesis 50:20")). The brothers' confession here sets the stage for their eventual realization of their sin ([Genesis 42:21](/genesis/42-21 "Read the brothers' realization of their sin in Genesis 42:21")) and the long-awaited family reunion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Sovereignty of God:** This passage powerfully illustrates God's ability to work through human actions, even sinful ones, and seemingly random events to achieve His divine will. The brothers' spontaneous confession becomes a key piece in God's larger plan.
* **Consequences of Sin and Path to Reconciliation:** The brothers' past sin of selling Joseph into slavery casts a long shadow, leading to years of grief for Jacob and now, their own distress. This narrative arc ultimately leads to their repentance and reconciliation, demonstrating God's grace in restoring broken relationships.
* **Redemptive Suffering:** Joseph's suffering, from the pit to the prison, was not in vain. It prepared him for his role as deliverer and was providentially used by God to preserve his family and, by extension, the lineage through which the Messiah would come.
* **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant:** The preservation of Jacob's family through Joseph's wisdom and foresight during the famine is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring their descendants would become a great nation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:13 serves as a profound reminder that God is intricately involved in the details of our lives, even when His workings are hidden from our immediate understanding. The brothers’ seemingly innocent statement was a crucial piece of information that allowed Joseph to continue his intricate plan for their family’s preservation and eventual reunion. This encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God’s providence and sovereignty, recognizing that He can use our words, actions, and even the long-term consequences of past mistakes to bring about His perfect will. It underscores the eventual revelation of truth and the long-term consequences of our choices, reminding us that nothing is hidden from God’s sight and that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph's brothers not recognize him, but he recognized them?**

Answer: Joseph's appearance had likely changed significantly over two decades in Egypt. He was dressed as an Egyptian governor, spoke through an interpreter, and held a position of immense power, which would have made him unrecognizable to his brothers who last saw him as a young shepherd boy. Conversely, Joseph would have easily recognized his brothers as they likely looked similar to when he last saw them, and he was actively expecting them due to his dreams.

**What is the significance of the phrase "one [is] not"?**

Answer: The Hebrew phrase *einennu* (אֵיןֶנּוּ) literally means "he is not" or "he is no more." It is a stark and poignant way of expressing Joseph's presumed death and absence. For the brothers, it was a statement of fact they had believed for years, and for Joseph, it was a painful reminder of their deception and his long separation from his family. It highlights the deep grief Jacob had endured and the brothers' own suppressed guilt.

**How does this verse demonstrate God's providence?**

Answer: This verse is a key moment in God's providential plan. The famine, the brothers' journey, their encounter with Joseph, and their spontaneous confession are all orchestrated by God. Their words, intended to prove their innocence, unknowingly provide Joseph with the critical information he needs to proceed with his plan to bring Benjamin and Jacob to Egypt, ultimately preserving the covenant family and setting the stage for the growth of the nation of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, culminating in this moment of veiled recognition and the subsequent reconciliation, powerfully prefigures Christ. Just as Joseph, rejected by his brothers and presumed dead, rose to a position of power to save his family from famine, so too did Christ, rejected by His own people and crucified, rise to ultimate authority to offer salvation and reconciliation to all who believe. The brothers' unknowing confession to Joseph mirrors humanity's initial blindness to Christ's true identity and redemptive purpose. Ultimately, Joseph's suffering and exaltation led to the preservation of a people, just as Christ's suffering and resurrection secured eternal life for His church, bringing about a greater reconciliation and provision than any earthly grain.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.