TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother. Meanwhile, you will be kept in custody. This will prove whether there is any truth in what you say. Otherwise, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies."
Berean Standard Bible
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
American Standard Version
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
World English Bible Messianic
Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Send one of you which may fet your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proued, whether there bee trueth in you: or els by the life of Pharaoh ye are but spies.
Young's Literal Translation
send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye, remain ye bound, and let your words be proved, whether truth be with you: and if not--Pharaoh liveth! surely ye are spies;'
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In the KJVVerse 1,269 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 42:16 captures Joseph's calculated demand to his ten older brothers, whom he has accused of espionage. He insists that one brother return to Canaan to retrieve their youngest brother, Benjamin, while the others remain imprisoned in Egypt. This condition is a strategic test designed to verify their claims and ascertain their integrity, with the severe consequence of being condemned as spies if their words are found to be false.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Genesis 42:16, Joseph, acting under his assumed Egyptian authority, articulates the critical condition for his brothers to substantiate their claims of innocence against the charge of being spies. He declares, "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." This statement is laden with strategic intent and profound implications.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Genesis 42:16 effectively employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and convey its deeper meaning. Dramatic Irony is paramount, as the reader knows Joseph's true identity and intentions, while his brothers remain oblivious, experiencing his seemingly harsh demands as a cruel twist of fate. This creates tension and anticipation for the eventual revelation. The entire scenario functions as a Test or Ordeal, a common narrative device used to reveal character and advance the plot, here serving as a crucible for the brothers' moral transformation. The Oath "by the life of Pharaoh" is a culturally specific device that emphasizes the gravity and binding nature of Joseph's pronouncement, lending it an air of official authority and dire consequence. Finally, the Symbolism of imprisonment represents the brothers' spiritual bondage to their past sin and the consequences that are now catching up to them, compelling them towards a path of truth and repentance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's actions in Genesis 42:16, though seemingly harsh, are a profound demonstration of God's intricate and often mysterious providence. God uses Joseph's strategic testing to bring about a deep spiritual transformation in his brothers, leading them to confront their past sin and preparing them for a miraculous reconciliation. This narrative illustrates that God often works through difficult circumstances and human actions, even those born of past sin, to achieve His ultimate redemptive purposes. It highlights the importance of truth and integrity, showing how a lack of these qualities can lead to severe consequences, yet also how God can use such trials to refine character and restore broken relationships. The brothers' distress and self-recrimination in the face of Joseph's demands reveal the conscience at work, a necessary step towards genuine repentance and the restoration of family unity.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:16 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God often uses challenging circumstances to test our character, refine our faith, and reveal areas where we need growth or repentance. Just as Joseph's test exposed his brothers' past deceptions and led them towards integrity, our own trials can uncover hidden motives and prompt us towards greater truthfulness in our lives. This narrative encourages us to embrace difficult seasons, recognizing that they may be God's means of bringing us to a deeper understanding of ourselves, our sin, and His grace. Furthermore, this story provides immense hope that even deeply fractured relationships can experience God's restorative power, leading to reconciliation and healing when truth is confronted, genuine repentance occurs, and forgiveness is embraced. It calls us to consider how we respond when our integrity is questioned or when past deceptions come to light, urging us towards honesty and a reliance on God's transforming work.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph accuse his brothers of being spies?
Answer: Joseph accused his brothers of being spies primarily as a strategic maneuver, not because he genuinely believed they were hostile agents. His true intentions were to test their character, to discern if they had changed from the cruel brothers who sold him into slavery, and to create a situation that would compel them to bring his full brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. This accusation was a calculated step in God's providential plan to orchestrate a profound family reunion and reconciliation, as seen throughout Genesis 42.
What does "by the life of Pharaoh" mean?
Answer: "By the life of Pharaoh" is a solemn and binding oath, common in ancient Egypt, invoking the king's life as a sacred and supreme guarantor of truth and the seriousness of a declaration. By swearing this oath, Joseph emphasized the absolute gravity of his accusation and the dire consequences—death—if his brothers failed to prove their honesty by bringing Benjamin. It was a powerful cultural affirmation that lent immense weight to his words and the conditions he imposed.
Why was Benjamin so important to Joseph in this context?
Answer: Benjamin was uniquely important to Joseph because he was Joseph's only full brother, both born to their beloved mother, Rachel, who had died giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:16-19). Joseph deeply loved Benjamin and was concerned for his welfare, especially after his own traumatic separation from his family and the potential impact on his aged father, Jacob. Bringing Benjamin to Egypt was crucial for Joseph to confirm his family's well-being and to complete the family reunion he was orchestrating, ensuring all his brothers were accounted for and that his father was still alive and well.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph, in Genesis 42:16, acts as a profound type of Christ, though imperfectly. Like Joseph, who was rejected by his brothers and then became a savior to them, Christ was rejected by His own people yet became the Savior of the world (John 1:11 and John 3:17). Joseph's testing of his brothers, though seemingly harsh and full of demands, was ultimately designed to bring them to repentance and ultimately to reconciliation and salvation from famine. Similarly, Christ's dealings with humanity, including moments of conviction and judgment, are ultimately purposed to reveal sin, lead to repentance, and bring about ultimate reconciliation with God through His atoning work on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Just as Joseph demanded proof of his brothers' "truth," Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), continually calls us to live in integrity, revealing the truth of our hearts and offering the path to true forgiveness and restoration through His sacrifice and resurrection (Romans 5:10-11).