Genesis 42:21

KJV

¶ And they said one to another, We [are] verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559} one {H376} to another {H251}, We are verily {H61} guilty {H818} concerning our brother {H251}, in that {H834} we saw {H7200} the anguish {H6869} of his soul {H5315}, when he besought {H2603} us, and we would not hear {H8085}; therefore is this distress {H6869} come {H935} upon us.

Complete Jewish Bible

They said to each other, "We are in fact guilty concerning our brother. He was in distress and pleaded with us; we saw it and wouldn't listen. That's why this distress has come upon us now."

Berean Standard Bible

Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

American Standard Version

And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:21 captures a profound moment of spiritual reckoning for Joseph's brothers, who, while enduring severe hardship in Egypt, finally confess their long-held guilt for their cruel treatment of Joseph decades earlier. This confession reveals their deep-seated remorse, acknowledging that their current suffering is a direct consequence of their past sin and implicitly recognizing a divine hand of justice in their distress. It marks a critical turning point towards repentance, reconciliation, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for their family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a dramatic climax in the unfolding narrative of Joseph and his brothers, occurring decades after their initial betrayal. Having been sent by Jacob to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine, the brothers unknowingly stand before Joseph, now the powerful governor of Egypt. Joseph, recognizing them but remaining unrecognized, orchestrates a series of events to test their character and bring them to repentance. He accuses them of being spies, imprisons them, and demands they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty. It is under this intense pressure, as they face the very real threat of death or perpetual imprisonment, that their long-suppressed guilt over their past sin against Joseph finally surfaces, leading to this raw and candid confession among themselves. The dialogue in this verse is overheard by Joseph, who understands their words through an interpreter, adding another layer of dramatic irony to the scene.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt during a widespread famine, a common and devastating natural disaster in the ancient Near East, often interpreted as divine judgment or a test. Egypt, with its advanced agricultural systems and centralized government, was a natural refuge during such times, making Joseph's position as governor over grain distribution immensely powerful. The cultural norms of the time emphasized family honor, patriarchal authority, and the sanctity of kinship bonds. The brothers' actions against Joseph were a severe violation of these norms, carrying a heavy burden of shame and guilt within their patriarchal society. Their fear of Joseph, the powerful Egyptian official, and their concern for their families back in Canaan, reflect the precariousness of life and the immense pressure placed upon them by the famine and Joseph's calculated tests. Their internal dialogue reflects a common ancient understanding that suffering could be a direct consequence of unaddressed sin, a belief that shaped their interpretation of their current "distress."
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 42:21 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **divine sovereignty and providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates even human sin and suffering for His ultimate redemptive purposes, a truth explicitly articulated later by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's declaration of God's sovereign good"). The verse also underscores the **enduring consequences of sin** and the **burden of unconfessed guilt**, showing how past transgressions can fester for decades before being brought to light by God's providential hand. Furthermore, it introduces the critical theme of **repentance and transformation**, as the brothers' confession marks the initial step in their journey from callous cruelty to genuine remorse and, eventually, reconciliation. Their lack of empathy for Joseph's suffering at the time of their betrayal (as described in [Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph sold into slavery")) is contrasted with their present anguish, emphasizing the importance of **compassion and brotherly love**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Guilty (Hebrew, _ʼâshêm'_):** From H818, meaning "guilty; hence, presenting a sin-offering; one which is faulty." This word signifies not merely an awareness of having done wrong, but a deep, moral culpability that merits punishment or requires atonement. The brothers are not just admitting a mistake; they are acknowledging their profound moral fault and responsibility for their actions against Joseph.
* **Anguish (Hebrew, _tsârâh'_):** From H6869, meaning "tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival; adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble." This term vividly describes the intense, suffocating distress and pain Joseph experienced. It conveys a sense of being hemmed in, oppressed, and in deep emotional and physical suffering, emphasizing the severity of what the brothers inflicted upon him.
* **Besought (Hebrew, _chânan'_):** From H2603, meaning "to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e. move to favor by petition)." This word highlights Joseph's desperate and humble plea for mercy. It suggests he was not merely complaining, but earnestly petitioning them for grace, emphasizing the brothers' willful and hard-hearted refusal to respond with compassion to his desperate cries.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said one to another":** This phrase indicates an internal, private conversation among the brothers, underscoring the shared nature of their guilt. It's not a confession made to Joseph (whom they don't recognize), but a spontaneous, collective outpouring of their long-suppressed conscience, brought to the surface by their current predicament.
* **"We are verily guilty concerning our brother":** This is the core confession, an unreserved admission of moral culpability. The adverb "verily" (H61, _ʼăbâl'_) emphasizes the certainty and depth of their conviction, suggesting that their guilt is undeniable and deeply felt. It signifies a shift from denial or suppression to an open acknowledgment of their sin against Joseph.
* **"in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear":** This clause specifies the nature of their sin: a callous disregard for Joseph's profound suffering. "Anguish of his soul" (H6869 _tsârâh_ H5315 _nephesh_) denotes deep, existential distress, encompassing his entire being—his life, emotions, and spirit. The phrase "when he besought us" (H2603 _chânan_) highlights Joseph's desperate pleas for mercy, which they willfully ignored ("would not hear," H8085 _shâmaʻ_). This reveals their profound lack of empathy and their hardened hearts at the time of their betrayal.
* **"therefore is this distress come upon us":** The brothers explicitly connect their current suffering in Egypt ("this distress," H6869 _tsârâh_) to their past sin. They perceive their hardship as a direct consequence or divine retribution for their actions against Joseph. This demonstrates a recognition of a moral universe where actions have consequences, and that God, or at least fate, is bringing justice to bear upon them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the brothers, who once held Joseph's life in their hands and showed him no mercy, are now themselves in a position of extreme vulnerability, pleading for their own lives and facing an unknown fate at the hands of an Egyptian official—who is, unbeknownst to them, the very brother they wronged. This creates a profound sense of **poetic justice** or **retribution**, where their current "distress" mirrors the "anguish of his soul" they caused. The direct **dialogue** allows the reader immediate insight into the brothers' internal state, making their confession raw and authentic. The phrase "anguish of his soul" is a form of **pathos**, designed to evoke a strong emotional response and highlight the depth of Joseph's suffering and the brothers' cruelty. Furthermore, the entire scenario functions as a **foreshadowing** device, hinting at the possibility of repentance and reconciliation that will ultimately lead to the preservation of the family of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:21 offers profound theological insights into the nature of sin, guilt, and divine providence. It powerfully illustrates that unconfessed sin carries a heavy burden, capable of festering for decades and emerging under pressure. The brothers' immediate connection between their current distress and their past cruelty highlights a biblical principle: while not all suffering is direct punishment for specific sin, sin does have consequences, and God can sovereignly use those consequences, or even seemingly unrelated adversities, to bring about conviction, repentance, and His redemptive purposes. This verse underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, even through difficult circumstances, to bring about His will and to refine the hearts of His people.

* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Be sure your sin will find you out")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Confession and forsaking sin")
* [Romans 2:4](/romans/2-4 "God's kindness leads to repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:21 serves as a stark and powerful reminder that our unaddressed sins carry a profound and enduring burden, capable of resurfacing years later under the pressure of life's trials. This passage challenges us to honestly examine our own consciences, confess any unacknowledged wrongdoing, and seek reconciliation where needed, understanding that true peace and freedom often begin with an honest acknowledgment of our faults. It underscores the critical importance of cultivating empathy and responding with compassion to the suffering of others, recognizing that our actions, or inactions, have lasting consequences, not only for others but also for our own spiritual well-being. Ultimately, it invites us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when experiencing distress, understanding that He can use adversity, even that which feels like divine retribution, to bring about our repentance, spiritual growth, and His greater redemptive purposes in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What unaddressed guilt or unresolved conflicts might be weighing on my own conscience, and what steps can I take towards confession and reconciliation?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of suffering? Do I tend to connect my difficulties to my own actions, or do I fail to see God's hand in using adversity for my spiritual growth?**
* **In what ways have I, like Joseph's brothers, failed to "hear" or respond with compassion to the "anguish of soul" in others, and how can I cultivate greater empathy in my relationships?**

### FAQ
**Why did the brothers' guilt resurface after so many years?**

Answer: The severe distress they faced in Egypt—being accused of being spies, imprisoned, and fearing for their lives and the lives of their families, especially Benjamin—created an intense pressure cooker that forced their long-suppressed guilt to the surface. Their current suffering felt like a direct consequence of their past cruelty, leading them to acknowledge their sin and its connection to their present predicament. The Bible often shows that God uses difficult circumstances to bring about repentance and reveal hidden sin, as seen in the story of [Jonah](/jonah/1 "Jonah's flight from God").

**Does this verse teach that all suffering is a direct punishment for sin?**

Answer: While the brothers directly linked their distress to their sin, the Bible presents a more nuanced view of suffering. Not all suffering is a direct punishment for specific sin (e.g., Job's suffering in [Job 1](/job/1 "Job's Trials")). However, this verse clearly illustrates that sin *does* have consequences, and God can use those consequences, or even seemingly unrelated adversity, to bring about conviction, repentance, growth, and His redemptive purposes, as seen in Joseph's later perspective in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "God's redemptive plan through Joseph's suffering"). It highlights a general principle that unaddressed sin can lead to internal and external distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The brothers' confession of guilt in [Genesis 42:21](/genesis/42-21 "Brothers' Confession of Guilt") and their eventual reconciliation with Joseph profoundly foreshadow the greater spiritual reality of humanity's guilt before God and the need for reconciliation through Christ. Just as Joseph, though unjustly wronged, became the providential means of salvation and preservation for his family, Jesus, though perfectly innocent, willingly bore the anguish of our sin on the cross. His suffering was not for His own wrongdoing but for ours, a willing act of empathy for the "anguish of soul" that humanity experiences under the weight of sin. Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the ultimate deliverer, enabling us to confess our deep-seated guilt before God and find complete forgiveness, reconciliation, and true peace ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Reconciliation through Christ")). His work fulfills the ultimate divine purpose of salvation, bringing those who were alienated by sin into a reconciled relationship with God, echoing Joseph's role in bringing his estranged family back into fellowship.

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.

Cross-References

Hosea 5:15

I will go [and] return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Job 36:8

And if [they be] bound in fetters, [and] be holden in cords of affliction;

Job 36:9

Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

Genesis 37:23

¶ And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, [his] coat of [many] colours that [was] on him;

Genesis 37:28

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Mark 9:43

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Mark 9:45

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: