TRV
Translation
King James Version
But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
Complete Jewish Bible
But bring your youngest brother to me. In this way your statements will be verified, and you won't die." So they did it.
Berean Standard Bible
Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.
American Standard Version
and bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
World English Bible Messianic
Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But bring your yonger brother vnto me, that your wordes may be tried, and that ye dye not: and they did so.
Young's Literal Translation
and your young brother ye bring unto me, and your words are established, and ye die not;' and they do so.
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In the KJVVerse 1,273 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 42:20 marks a pivotal moment in Joseph's intricate plan, where he, as Egypt's governor, demands his brothers bring their youngest sibling, Benjamin, as irrefutable proof of their honesty. This command served not only to verify their claims and avert their immediate death but also as a profound test of their character, setting the stage for a dramatic family reconciliation orchestrated by divine providence. Their immediate and fearful compliance underscores the gravity of their situation and Joseph's strategic authority.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Ultimatum is central, as Joseph presents a clear, non-negotiable demand with severe consequences for non-compliance, forcing the brothers into a desperate situation. There is profound Irony in Joseph, the very brother they sold into slavery, now holding their lives in his hands and testing their integrity. This reversal of fortune highlights divine justice and the unexpected ways God works. The demand for Benjamin also serves as Foreshadowing, hinting at the deeper reconciliation that will occur when the entire family is reunited. The phrase "your words be verified" emphasizes the Symbolism of truth and integrity, suggesting that true character is not merely spoken but demonstrated through action.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:20 profoundly illustrates God's intricate and sovereign plan, even amidst human sin and suffering. Joseph's seemingly harsh demand is not arbitrary but a divinely orchestrated test, designed to bring about the brothers' repentance and the ultimate preservation of the family of promise. This situation exemplifies how God uses difficult circumstances and human choices to achieve His redemptive purposes, transforming past wrongs into opportunities for growth and reconciliation. It underscores the truth that God is always working behind the scenes, weaving together seemingly disparate events to fulfill His covenant promises and bring about His good will.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:20 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God's sovereign hand is at work even in the most perplexing and challenging circumstances of our lives. Just as Joseph's brothers faced a seemingly impossible demand that forced them to confront their past and trust in an unknown future, we too are called to trust in God's unseen plan, even when the immediate events are difficult to comprehend. This verse underscores the vital importance of integrity—our words must be "verified" by our actions, reflecting a genuine and consistent character before God and others. Furthermore, it beautifully illustrates how past wrongs, though leading to painful consequences, can be used by God as catalysts for profound personal growth, repentance, and ultimately, reconciliation. We are encouraged to embrace trials as opportunities for God to refine us, knowing that He works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph specifically demand Benjamin's presence?
Answer: Joseph's demand for Benjamin's presence was a multifaceted and strategic move. Primarily, it served as a crucial test of his brothers' character and integrity. He wanted to ascertain if they still harbored the same jealousy and disregard for their father's affections that led them to sell Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37:28). Their willingness to endanger Benjamin, Jacob's youngest and most beloved son (the only other son of Rachel), would reveal the true state of their hearts. Secondly, it was a practical step to bring Benjamin to Egypt, a necessary part of Joseph's prophetic dreams, which depicted his family bowing before him (Genesis 37:7-10). This move also set the stage for the entire family to eventually relocate to Egypt, thus preserving them from the severe famine and fulfilling God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
What does "so shall your words be verified" mean in this context?
Answer: The phrase "so shall your words be verified" means that the brothers' claims of being honest men with a living father and a younger brother would be proven true through tangible evidence. Joseph was not content with their verbal assurances; he demanded the physical presence of Benjamin as irrefutable proof to confirm their story. This was a critical step in Joseph's plan to test their sincerity and to move from suspicion to a confirmed understanding of their character. It underscores the biblical emphasis on integrity, where one's actions must substantiate one's claims.
What was the immediate impact of Joseph's command on his brothers?
Answer: The immediate impact of Joseph's command on his brothers was profound fear and distress. They were already in a precarious situation, accused of being spies, and now faced a life-or-death ultimatum. The demand for Benjamin would have stirred deep anxieties, forcing them to confront their father Jacob with the request to part with his most cherished son, a constant reminder of Joseph's presumed death. Their response, as stated by "And they did so," highlights their immediate and absolute submission, driven by the overwhelming authority of the Egyptian governor and the dire consequences of disobedience. This fear and compliance set in motion a painful but necessary journey of self-reflection and repentance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, particularly his testing of his brothers and subsequent reconciliation, serves as a powerful and poignant type of Christ. Joseph, though innocent of any wrongdoing, suffered immensely at the hands of his own brothers, being sold for a price and enduring great hardship (Genesis 37:28). Yet, through his suffering and subsequent exaltation to power in Egypt, he became the means of salvation and preservation for his family, saving them from famine and death. This mirrors Christ, the innocent Son of God, who suffered rejection and death at the hands of His own people, yet through His crucifixion and resurrection, He was exalted to the right hand of God (Philippians 2:6-11) and became the ultimate means of salvation and reconciliation for all humanity (Romans 5:10). Joseph's hidden identity and eventual revelation to his brothers, leading to their repentance and the restoration of their relationship, beautifully foreshadows Christ's future revelation to Israel and the world, bringing about ultimate redemption and the establishment of His kingdom. This verse, with its demand for "verification" and the brothers' fearful obedience, points to the sovereign authority of God's plan, which, through seemingly harsh circumstances, orchestrates the path to reconciliation and the fulfillment of divine promises, ultimately culminating in the saving work of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).