TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
On the third day, Yosef said to them, "Do what I say, and stay alive, for I fear God.
Berean Standard Bible
and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:
American Standard Version
And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
World English Bible Messianic
Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then Ioseph said vnto them the third day, This do, and liue: for I feare God.
Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph saith unto them on the third day, `This do and live; God I fear!
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In the KJVVerse 1,271 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
In Genesis 42:18, Joseph, now the powerful vizier of Egypt, articulates the foundational principle guiding his seemingly harsh treatment of his unsuspecting brothers: "This do, and live; for I fear God." This declaration, issued on the third day of their imprisonment, reveals that his intricate test is not born of personal vendetta but of a profound reverence for the Almighty. It underscores his commitment to divine righteousness and justice, serving as a pivotal moment that sets the stage for reconciliation and the preservation of his family according to God's sovereign plan.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Joseph's concise yet profound statement in Genesis 42:18 serves as a foundational insight into his character and the divine orchestration of events. It is a declaration that both reassures his brothers (and the reader) of his underlying integrity and reveals the true motivation behind his intricate plan.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Irony is prominent, as the brothers, who once sought to kill Joseph and sold him into slavery, now stand before him, unknowingly dependent on his mercy and guided by his "fear of God." The one they wronged is now their deliverer, acting on divine principles. There is also strong Foreshadowing, as Joseph's statement sets the stage for the unfolding drama that will test the brothers' character and lead to their eventual reconciliation, mirroring God's redemptive plan. Finally, the phrase "I fear God" functions as a Thematic Statement, encapsulating Joseph's core motivation and framing the entire narrative as one governed by divine providence and ethical conduct, rather than human vengeance or political maneuvering.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's declaration, "for I fear God," is a profound theological statement that undergirds the entire narrative of his interactions with his brothers and, indeed, his life. It demonstrates that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative reverence that dictates one's moral compass and actions, even in positions of immense power or when dealing with deep personal grievances. His actions, though seemingly harsh, are revealed to be rooted in a divine standard of justice tempered with mercy, designed to bring about repentance, transformation, and ultimately, the preservation of God's chosen family. This commitment to God's will, rather than personal revenge, highlights God's overarching sovereignty, using even human sin and suffering to accomplish His redemptive purposes for His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joseph's declaration in Genesis 42:18 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly regarding the exercise of power and the nature of true integrity. It challenges us to recognize that any influence or authority we possess, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, is ultimately a stewardship from God. Like Joseph, we are called to wield that authority not for personal gain or vengeance, but with integrity, justice, and mercy, always mindful of our ultimate accountability to God. His unwavering trust in God's overarching plan, even amidst confusing or difficult circumstances, reminds us that God is perpetually at work, orchestrating events for His ultimate good and for our spiritual growth. Furthermore, "fearing God" is a call to live in profound awe of His character, obeying His commands, and acknowledging His sovereignty in every facet of life, thereby freeing us from the fear of man and guiding us toward righteous living. This reverence should shape our reactions to those who have wronged us, moving us toward reconciliation and redemption rather than bitterness or retribution.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "fearing God" mean in this context?
Answer: In Genesis 42:18, "fearing God" (Hebrew: yare' Elohim) does not imply being terrified of God, but rather a deep, reverential awe, respect, and submission to His will and moral authority. For Joseph, it meant that his actions, even those that seemed harsh to his brothers, were not arbitrary or vengeful, but were guided by divine principles of justice, mercy, and a commitment to God's ultimate plan. It signifies his profound integrity and accountability to a higher power, ensuring his decisions were righteous and aimed at a redemptive outcome, rather than personal retribution.
Why did Joseph put his brothers through such a difficult test if he feared God?
Answer: Joseph's test, though difficult and emotionally taxing for his brothers, was not driven by malice or revenge, but by his "fear of God" and his understanding of divine providence. He sought to ascertain if his brothers had genuinely changed their character since they cruelly sold him into slavery, particularly regarding their concern for their youngest brother Benjamin and their aging father Jacob. The test was a calculated means to achieve genuine repentance, prove their integrity, and ultimately fulfill God's plan to preserve his family and the nascent nation of Israel. As Joseph later clarifies in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." His fear of God compelled him to act as an instrument of divine purpose, not personal grievance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's declaration, "for I fear God," and his subsequent actions serve as a powerful and multi-faceted foreshadowing of Christ. Like Joseph, who suffered unjustly at the hands of his own brothers, Jesus was rejected and betrayed by His own people (John 1:11). Yet, through His suffering, Joseph rose to a position of ultimate power in Egypt, becoming the deliverer who provided sustenance and salvation for his people, ultimately reconciling with those who wronged him. This mirrors Christ, who, though innocent, suffered the ultimate injustice on the cross, was exalted by God (Philippians 2:8-9), and through His sacrifice, became the ultimate Deliverer, offering reconciliation and eternal life to humanity, including those who rejected Him (Romans 5:10-11). Christ perfectly embodied the "fear of God" through His unwavering obedience and submission to the Father's will, even unto death (Hebrews 5:7-8), thereby fulfilling God's redemptive plan for humanity and demonstrating the ultimate expression of divine justice tempered with boundless mercy.