Genesis 42:26

KJV

And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they laded {H5375} their asses {H2543} with the corn {H7668}, and departed {H3212} thence.

Complete Jewish Bible

they loaded their grain on their donkeys and departed.

Berean Standard Bible

and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed.

American Standard Version

And they laded their asses with their grain, and departed thence.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:26 records the departure of Joseph's ten brothers from Egypt, their donkeys laden with the grain they had purchased to alleviate the severe famine in Canaan. This moment marks a crucial turning point after their initial, unrecognized encounter with Joseph, who, as Egypt's governor, had accused them of espionage, demanded the presence of their youngest brother Benjamin, and secretly returned their money to their sacks, thereby setting in motion the next phase of God's intricate plan for reconciliation and divine revelation within Jacob's family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the close of the brothers' first visit to Egypt, immediately following Joseph's complex instructions and actions. In [Genesis 42:9-25](/genesis/42-9-25 "Genesis 42:9-25 - Joseph's Accusations and Testing of His Brothers"), Joseph had accused them of being spies, imprisoned Simeon, and demanded they bring Benjamin to prove their honesty. Crucially, Joseph also commanded that their sacks be filled with grain and their money secretly returned, a detail that will be discovered in the very next verse, [Genesis 42:27](/genesis/42-27 "Genesis 42:27 - The Discovery of the Money"). Thus, [Genesis 42:26](/genesis/42-26 "Genesis 42:26 - The Brothers Depart from Egypt") serves as the physical transition point, initiating their journey back to Canaan, laden not only with provisions but also with the heavy burden of Joseph's accusations, the absence of Simeon, and the daunting task of convincing Jacob to release Benjamin. It is a moment of physical departure that signifies the beginning of a profound internal and relational journey.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Egypt during a severe, multi-year famine that affected the entire region, as described in [Genesis 41:56-57](/genesis/41-56-57 "Genesis 41:56-57 - The Famine Spreads"). Grain was the primary staple food, and its scarcity would have led to widespread suffering and death. Egypt, under Joseph's divinely inspired administration, was the only place with an abundance of stored grain, making it the sole source of relief for surrounding nations, including Canaan. The use of "asses" (donkeys) for transporting goods was common practice in the ancient Near East, as they were reliable pack animals capable of carrying substantial loads over long distances. The act of "lading" them with "corn" (grain) underscores the desperate need for provisions and the practical realities of survival during such a widespread crisis.

* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 42:26](/genesis/42-26 "Genesis 42:26 - The Brothers Depart from Egypt") contributes to several overarching themes within the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence**, as God's plan, initiated through Joseph's dreams in [Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Genesis 37:5-11 - Joseph's Prophetic Dreams"), is undeniably unfolding, even though the brothers are oblivious to Joseph's identity or God's hand in their circumstances. The verse also underscores the theme of **Testing and Transformation**, as Joseph's actions are designed not for revenge but to test his brothers' character and bring them to repentance for their past sin of selling him into slavery ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Genesis 37:28 - Joseph Sold into Slavery")). Furthermore, it sets the stage for the crucial theme of **Reconciliation and Restoration of the Family**, which is the ultimate goal of Joseph's elaborate plan, culminating in his self-revelation in [Genesis 45:1-8](/genesis/45-1-8 "Genesis 45:1-8 - Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **laded (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This verb (H5375) means "to lift, to bear, to carry." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of loading or burdening the animals. It implies a significant weight and volume, emphasizing the substantial amount of grain the brothers acquired. The word also carries connotations of bearing a burden, which resonates with the emotional and spiritual weight the brothers were carrying due to Joseph's accusations and the unfolding events.
* **asses (Hebrew, _chămôwr'_):** The term (H2543) refers specifically to a male donkey, often noted for its reddish-brown or dun color. Donkeys were the primary beasts of burden in the ancient world, essential for transport over long distances. Their presence here highlights the practical necessity of carrying large quantities of grain back to Canaan to sustain their large family during the famine.
* **corn (Hebrew, _sheber'_):** This word (H7668) literally means "grain" or "victuals" (provisions). In the KJV, "corn" is a generic term for cereal grains like wheat or barley, not maize. Its inclusion underscores the life-sustaining nature of their purchase, directly addressing the famine's impact and highlighting Joseph's role as the provider of life-saving sustenance.
* **departed (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This primitive root (H3212) means "to walk" or "to go." Here, it signifies their physical movement away from Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey home. More than just a physical act, "departed" also implies a transition from one phase of Joseph's test to the next, as they carry with them the immediate consequences of their encounter and the seeds of future developments.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they laded their asses with the corn":** This clause describes the practical and laborious act of the brothers preparing for their journey. It signifies the successful acquisition of the much-needed grain, a testament to Joseph's provision and the brothers' initial purpose in coming to Egypt. The phrase emphasizes the physical burden of the grain, which was essential for their survival and that of their families in famine-stricken Canaan.
* **"and departed thence":** This simple phrase marks the physical departure of the brothers from Egypt. It represents the conclusion of their first encounter with Joseph and the commencement of their journey back to their father, Jacob. This departure is not merely a logistical act but the beginning of a journey fraught with anxiety, uncertainty, and the weight of Joseph's demands, particularly the requirement to bring Benjamin back to Egypt.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Conciseness** to convey a significant moment with remarkable brevity, allowing the reader to infer the underlying tension and implications. There is profound **Irony** in the scene: the brothers, who once sold Joseph into slavery, are now utterly dependent on him for their survival, unknowingly bowing before him as he had dreamed years ago. The "corn" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not only physical sustenance but also the means by which Joseph's divine plan is being enacted. It is the very commodity that brings his brothers back to him, forcing them into a position of humility and dependence, paving the way for future **Reconciliation**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:26 encapsulates the unfolding of divine providence through human actions, even when those actions are driven by desperation or ignorance. The brothers, focused on the immediate need for survival and the daunting task set by the Egyptian governor, are unknowingly participating in God's grand design for their family's redemption. This journey, laden with grain, is also laden with the weight of past sin and the promise of future reconciliation, orchestrated by Joseph, who serves as God's instrument.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - God Intended It for Good"): Joseph's later declaration, "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," perfectly summarizes the divine sovereignty at play in this moment of the brothers' departure.
* [Psalm 105:16-17](/psalm/105-16-17 "Psalm 105:16-17 - Joseph Sent Ahead by God"): This psalm explicitly states that God "called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant." This highlights God's active role in orchestrating the circumstances that led the brothers to Egypt.
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good"): The principle that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" finds a vivid illustration in the Joseph narrative, where even the brothers' past sin and present distress are woven into a tapestry of divine redemption.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:26 serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereign plan often unfolds in ways we do not immediately comprehend. The brothers were consumed by their immediate concerns – the famine, Joseph's accusations, Simeon's imprisonment, and the demand for Benjamin – yet beneath it all, God was meticulously working out His redemptive purposes. For us, this highlights the importance of trusting God's unseen hand, especially when our circumstances seem chaotic, unfair, or overwhelming. It encourages us to look beyond the immediate trials to discern God's larger narrative of grace and restoration. This passage also implicitly calls us to consider our own past actions and the consequences they may have, reminding us that God can use even our deepest regrets and most challenging situations to bring about repentance, reconciliation, and profound spiritual growth within our lives and relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brothers' ignorance of Joseph's identity reflect our own limited understanding of God's work in our lives?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or confusing circumstances in your life to bring about a greater good or a deeper transformation?**
* **What "burdens" (physical, emotional, or spiritual) are you carrying today, and how can you trust God's providence amidst them?**

### FAQ
**What is meant by "corn" in Genesis 42:26?**

Answer: In the King James Version, "corn" is a general term referring to any cereal grain, such as wheat or barley, which were staple crops in the ancient Near East. It does not refer to maize (Indian corn), which was unknown in that region at the time. The text indicates the brothers were loading their donkeys with the grain they had purchased to alleviate the famine in Canaan, highlighting the life-sustaining nature of their acquisition and the severity of the regional famine described in [Genesis 41:56-57](/genesis/41-56-57 "Genesis 41:56-57 - The Famine Spreads").

**Why did Joseph put his brothers through such a difficult test?**

Answer: Joseph's actions were not motivated by revenge but by a divine purpose to test his brothers' character, bring them to repentance, and ultimately reconcile his family. By demanding Benjamin's presence and creating a situation of distress (including the secret return of their money in [Genesis 42:27-28](/genesis/42-27-28 "Genesis 42:27-28 - The Brothers Discover Their Money")), Joseph forced his brothers to confront their past sin of selling him into slavery ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Genesis 37:28 - Joseph Sold into Slavery")) and to demonstrate a change of heart, particularly their care for their youngest brother and their aged father, Jacob. This painful process was essential for their spiritual and relational restoration, culminating in Joseph's emotional self-revelation in [Genesis 45:1-8](/genesis/45-1-8 "Genesis 45:1-8 - Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The departure of Joseph's brothers, laden with grain and burdened by the unknown, profoundly foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Joseph, though rejected and betrayed by his own family ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Genesis 37:28 - Joseph Sold into Slavery")), becomes the unrecognised savior who provides life-sustaining provisions and ultimately orchestrates reconciliation for his estranged family, saving them from famine. This mirrors Christ, who, though rejected and crucified by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")), becomes the ultimate provider of spiritual sustenance and salvation for all humanity. The brothers' journey, marked by their sin and their unwitting encounter with their deliverer, reflects humanity's condition: estranged from God due to sin, yet unknowingly approaching the only One who can provide true life and reconciliation through His suffering, death, and resurrection ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8-10 "Romans 5:8-10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Just as Joseph orchestrates a painful but redemptive process to bring his brothers to repentance and restoration, Christ's work on the cross brings about the possibility of repentance and reconciliation with God, transforming brokenness into a testament of divine grace and forgiveness for all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - The Ministry of Reconciliation")).

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.