Genesis 42:23

KJV

And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they knew {H3045} not that Joseph {H3130} understood {H8085} them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter {H3887}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They had no idea that Yosef understood them, since an interpreter was translating for them.

Berean Standard Bible

They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.

American Standard Version

And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:23 unveils a pivotal moment in Joseph's intricate plan to test his brothers and orchestrate divine reconciliation. It reveals that Joseph's brothers were entirely unaware of his ability to understand their Hebrew conversations, a strategic advantage he secured by communicating with them through an interpreter. This deliberate concealment of his linguistic proficiency allowed Joseph to observe their uninhibited reactions, gauge their character, and overhear their unguarded discussions about their past transgressions, all as part of his meticulously crafted design to assess their hearts and prepare them for a profound family reunion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the Joseph narrative, specifically during the first encounter between Joseph and his brothers in Egypt after decades of separation. Following a severe regional famine that drove them from Canaan to Egypt for sustenance, Joseph's brothers unknowingly bowed before him, fulfilling the [prophetic dreams Joseph received in his youth](/genesis/37-5-10 "Joseph's Prophetic Dreams of His Family Bowing"). Joseph immediately recognized them but chose to maintain his disguise, treating them as strangers and accusing them of being spies. His employment of an interpreter, as highlighted in this verse, was a crucial element of this charade. It allowed him to control the flow of information, observe their genuine interactions, and most significantly, listen to their private, remorseful conversations about [their past betrayal](/genesis/37-28 "Joseph Sold into Slavery") without revealing his true identity or emotional connection. This strategic maneuver sets the stage for the escalating tests and revelations that follow in the subsequent chapters, ultimately leading to Joseph's grand reveal and the family's reunification.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East frequently experienced severe famines, making Egypt, with its Nile-fed agriculture and advanced granaries, a vital source of grain. The position of vizier (second in command to Pharaoh) was one of immense power and authority, often held by individuals of foreign origin who had proven their capabilities. In such high-stakes interactions, particularly between foreign dignitaries or merchants and high-ranking officials, the use of interpreters was a standard diplomatic and commercial practice. This facilitated communication across linguistic barriers and maintained formality, reinforcing the power differential. Joseph's ability to speak Egyptian fluently, a skill acquired over two decades in Egypt, would have been expected of a vizier. His feigned inability to understand Hebrew, therefore, was not unusual from the brothers' perspective, making his ruse culturally plausible and effective.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 42:23 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God meticulously orchestrates human actions—even sinful ones like the brothers' betrayal—to fulfill His ultimate purposes, bringing about good from evil. The verse is central to the theme of **Testing and Transformation**, as Joseph's strategic deception is a divinely guided process designed to test his brothers' hearts, revealing whether they had genuinely changed from the jealous and cruel individuals who had sold him into slavery. This testing process, facilitated by the interpreter, leads to their profound **Repentance and Self-Reflection**, as they openly acknowledge their guilt concerning Joseph (as seen in [Genesis 42:21](/genesis/42-21 "Brothers' Remorse")). Furthermore, Joseph's period of **Hiddenness and Strategic Revelation** foreshadows God's own often mysterious ways of working, where His plans are veiled until the opportune moment for their powerful unveiling, ultimately leading to **Reconciliation and Forgiveness** within the family.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **knew (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From the primitive root H3045, meaning "to know" in a wide variety of senses, including to ascertain by seeing, to be aware, to discern, to perceive, or to have knowledge. In this context, it emphasizes the brothers' complete lack of awareness or comprehension that Joseph possessed the knowledge of their language, highlighting their profound ignorance of his true identity and linguistic capabilities.
* **understood (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From the primitive root H8085, meaning "to hear intelligently," often implying attention, obedience, or comprehension. Here, it specifically denotes Joseph's intellectual grasp and comprehension of the Hebrew language spoken by his brothers, contrasting sharply with their assumption that he could not. This "understanding" was the secret weapon in Joseph's strategic arsenal.
* **interpreter (Hebrew, _lûwts'_):** From the primitive root H3887, primarily meaning "to scoff" or "to make mouths at," but also extending to "to interpret" (from the effort to pronounce a foreign language) or "to intercede." In this verse, it clearly refers to one who translates between languages. The broader nuance of "intercessor" or "mediator" subtly foreshadows Joseph's later role as a pivotal figure mediating between his family and Pharaoh, and ultimately between God's plan and human agency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]":** This initial clause establishes the dramatic irony central to the scene. The brothers, speaking freely among themselves in Hebrew, are utterly oblivious to the fact that the powerful Egyptian vizier before them fully comprehends every word. This ignorance is the foundation of Joseph's strategic advantage, allowing him to observe their true character and hear their unvarnished conversations, particularly their expressions of guilt and fear concerning their past actions.
* **"for he spake unto them by an interpreter":** This clause provides the immediate reason for the brothers' ignorance. Joseph deliberately chose to communicate through a third party, creating a linguistic barrier that reinforced his disguise as a foreign official. This was a calculated maneuver, not a necessity, enabling him to maintain control, conceal his emotional reactions, and facilitate the uninhibited dialogue among his brothers that was crucial for his test of their hearts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is paramount, as the audience (and Joseph) are privy to information (Joseph's understanding of Hebrew) that the characters (his brothers) are not. This creates tension and anticipation, as the reader watches the brothers unwittingly reveal their deepest fears and guilt to the very person they wronged. The interpreter himself functions as a **Symbolism** of the barrier Joseph intentionally erected, representing not merely a linguistic divide but also the emotional and relational chasm that needed to be bridged through repentance and reconciliation. Furthermore, the entire scenario serves as **Foreshadowing** of Joseph's ultimate role as a mediator and deliverer for his family, a role that hinges on his unique position between two worlds (Hebrew and Egyptian, past and present suffering, and future salvation).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:23 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine providence, demonstrating God's meticulous orchestration of events, even through human deception and suffering, to achieve His redemptive purposes. Joseph's strategic use of the interpreter allowed him to test his brothers' hearts, revealing their repentance and preparing them for reconciliation. This mirrors God's own methods of allowing trials and hiddenness to bring about spiritual growth and reveal the true state of our hearts, ultimately leading to restoration.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All Things Work Together for Good")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "The Steps of a Good Man Are Ordered by the Lord")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Everything is Uncovered Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:23 offers profound insights for believers today, reminding us that God often works in mysterious and seemingly indirect ways to accomplish His divine purposes. Just as Joseph observed his brothers' hearts through a veil of misunderstanding, God intimately knows our true motives, thoughts, and character, often allowing circumstances and trials to expose and refine us. This narrative underscores the critical importance of genuine self-reflection, repentance for past wrongs, and the willingness to face the consequences of our actions. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, even when our circumstances are confusing or challenging, knowing that He can orchestrate seemingly complex events to bring about reconciliation, healing, and ultimately, good, just as He did for Jacob's family during the severe famine. We are called to examine our own hearts, confess our hidden sins, and embrace the transformative power of God's grace, which can redeem even the most broken relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be allowing a period of "hiddenness" or testing to reveal something about your character or motives?**
* **How does the brothers' eventual remorse in this narrative encourage you to confront and repent of past wrongs in your own life?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His methods seem unclear or difficult to understand?**

### FAQ

**Why did Joseph use an interpreter if he understood his brothers' language?**

Answer: Joseph used an interpreter as a deliberate and calculated strategic tactic, not out of necessity. Having lived in Egypt for over two decades, he was fluent in Egyptian, but crucially, he also retained his native Hebrew. By appearing to communicate solely through an interpreter, Joseph achieved several critical objectives. First, it maintained his disguise as an Egyptian official, preventing his brothers from recognizing him or suspecting his true origins. Second, and most importantly, it allowed him to observe their unguarded reactions and overhear their private conversations among themselves. Believing Joseph could not understand them, the brothers spoke freely about their past actions, their guilt over selling Joseph, and their current fears. This unfiltered insight into their hearts was essential for Joseph to gauge their repentance, assess their character transformation, and ultimately orchestrate the complex series of events that would lead to their reconciliation and the preservation of Jacob's family during the famine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's story, particularly his hidden identity, suffering, and eventual exaltation leading to the salvation of his family, serves as a profound and multifaceted type of Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was rejected by His own people, as prophesied and vividly portrayed in passages like [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "Jesus Rejected by His Own") and [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "He Was Despised and Rejected by Mankind"). He was "sold" for a price (Judas's betrayal, echoing the brothers selling Joseph for twenty shekels of silver, as seen in [Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus")), and endured immense suffering, culminating in His crucifixion. Yet, through this suffering, God exalted Him to a position of ultimate power and authority, not merely over a nation but over all creation, as declared in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "God Exalted Him"). Joseph's role as a "hidden" savior who, through a period of testing, brought his brothers to repentance and ultimately provided salvation and sustenance, powerfully foreshadows Christ as the ultimate mediator and savior. Jesus, though fully God, veiled His glory and took on human form ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humility")), allowing Himself to be misunderstood and rejected by humanity, ultimately to bring His spiritual family, the Church, to repentance and provide eternal salvation through His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8-10 "Reconciliation Through Christ's Death")). Just as Joseph's suffering was God's means to preserve His covenant family, Christ's suffering was God's perfect means to redeem and reconcile His spiritual family, the Church, to Himself.

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

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:14

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.

2 Corinthians 5:20

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.