TRV
Translation
King James Version
Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
Complete Jewish Bible
Here's how you can prove you're not lying: as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here.
Berean Standard Bible
And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
American Standard Version
hereby ye shall be proved: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
World English Bible Messianic
By this you shall be tested. By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go out from here, unless your youngest brother comes here.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Hereby ye shall be proued: by the life of Pharaoh, ye shall not goe hence, except your yongest brother come hither.
Young's Literal Translation
by this ye are proved: Pharaoh liveth! if ye go out from this--except by your young brother coming hither;
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In the KJVVerse 1,268 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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 a pivotal moment of the unfolding narrative, Joseph, serving as Egypt's powerful governor and still unrecognized by his estranged brothers, issues a stringent decree: their integrity and the truthfulness of their claims will be "proved" only by the arrival of their youngest brother, Benjamin, in Egypt. This non-negotiable condition, underscored by a solemn oath, initiates a profound test of their character, their familial loyalty, and their capacity for transformation, orchestrating a crucial step in God's intricate plan for reconciliation and preservation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs Irony, as Joseph, the brother they betrayed and sold, is now in a position of immense power, orchestrating their fate and testing their character. The brothers, unaware of his identity, are subject to the will of the very one they wronged. There is also significant Foreshadowing, as Joseph's demand for Benjamin's presence clearly sets the stage for the dramatic family reunion and reconciliation that will follow, hinting at the deeper divine purpose behind these trials. The use of a Solemn Oath ("By the life of Pharaoh") lends an air of Dramatic Tension and urgency to Joseph's words, emphasizing the high stakes involved and the absolute nature of his command, compelling the brothers to comply or face dire consequences.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:15 is a profound illustration of God's intricate and often mysterious providence, where human actions, even those involving deception and hardship, are woven into His overarching plan for good. Joseph's seemingly harsh test is not arbitrary but a divinely ordained crucible designed to "prove" his brothers, revealing their true character and preparing them for reconciliation. This passage highlights the biblical truth that God often uses trials to refine His people, leading to spiritual growth and the fulfillment of His purposes. It underscores the importance of integrity, the transformative power of repentance, and the redemptive potential within broken family relationships.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:15 offers timeless insights into the nature of divine testing and human transformation. Just as Joseph tested his brothers, God often allows us to go through trials and difficult circumstances to "prove" or refine our character, revealing our true motives and strengthening our faith. These moments, though challenging, are opportunities for profound spiritual growth and self-discovery. Furthermore, the narrative underscores that true reconciliation often requires confronting past wrongs and demonstrating genuine change. Our willingness to face uncomfortable truths and act with integrity, even when it demands sacrifice, is crucial for healing broken relationships and building trust. We are called to embrace these refining processes, trusting that God uses them to shape us into individuals of greater integrity and compassion, capable of deeper love and reconciliation. This passage encourages us to reflect on our own responses to trials: do we resist, or do we allow them to expose areas for growth and deeper reliance on God?
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph use an oath "By the life of Pharaoh" instead of by God?
Answer: Joseph, acting in his official capacity as the governor of Egypt (Genesis 41:40), used a common and powerful oath of the land to convey the gravity of his demand to his brothers, who were unaware of his true identity or his faith in Yahweh. This secular oath served his immediate purpose of asserting authority and proving their honesty within the Egyptian context. It was a culturally understood and binding declaration that emphasized the seriousness of his command to those who did not know he was a worshiper of the one true God. His use of this oath was a pragmatic decision consistent with his role as an Egyptian official, not a denial of his faith.
What was Joseph's true motive in demanding Benjamin?
Answer: Joseph's primary motive was multifaceted, serving both a personal and a divinely orchestrated purpose. Personally, he sought to test his brothers' character and integrity, specifically their care for their youngest brother, Benjamin, who was Jacob's new favored son. He wanted to see if they had changed from the callous individuals who sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28), and if they would now protect Benjamin, thereby demonstrating true repentance and a capacity for genuine family loyalty. Theologically, this demand was a crucial step in his larger plan to reveal himself and reconcile with his family, ultimately bringing them to Egypt to preserve them during the severe famine, thus fulfilling God's prophetic promises concerning his dreams and the preservation of the covenant line.
How does Joseph's test relate to God's character?
Answer: Joseph's test, though seemingly harsh, reflects aspects of God's character, particularly His sovereign control and His desire for the refinement and restoration of His people. Just as Joseph used a trial to bring about repentance and reconciliation, God often allows or orchestrates difficult circumstances to "prove" or refine the faith and character of individuals and communities (Deuteronomy 8:2). This process is not for God to learn about us, but for us to learn about ourselves and Him, leading to deeper trust, humility, and spiritual maturity. It demonstrates God's patient work in shaping hearts and bringing about His good purposes, even through challenging means.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's actions in Genesis 42:15, though seemingly harsh, reflect a profound divine pattern of testing, rejection, and ultimate redemption that finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, who was rejected by his own brothers (John 1:11) yet rose to power to become their savior and preserver, Christ was rejected by His own people, enduring suffering and crucifixion. Yet, through His perfect obedience and ultimate sacrifice, He was exalted to the right hand of God (Philippians 2:8-11), becoming the means of salvation for all who believe. Joseph's test of his brothers, demanding a sacrifice (Benjamin's presence) to prove their integrity and bring about reconciliation, foreshadows Christ's work. It is through Christ's sacrificial love, demonstrated while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), that God initiates the ultimate reconciliation, not by demanding a test from us, but by providing the perfect Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Thus, Joseph's story, particularly this moment of testing, points to the greater work of Christ, who, through His suffering, was "perfected" to bring many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10).