Genesis 42:28

KJV

And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack: and their heart failed [them], and they were afraid, saying one to another, What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us?

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto his brethren {H251}, My money {H3701} is restored {H7725}; and, lo {H2009}, it is even in my sack {H572}: and their heart {H3820} failed {H3318} them, and they were afraid {H2729}, saying {H559} one {H376} to another {H251}, What is this that God {H430} hath done {H6213} unto us?

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to his brothers, "My money has been restored - there it is, right in my pack!"At that, their hearts sank; they turned, trembling, to one another and said, "What is this that God has done to us?"

Berean Standard Bible

“My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack.” Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

American Standard Version

And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they turned trembling one to another, saying, What is this that God hath done unto us?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:28 captures the moment of profound shock and fear among Joseph’s brothers as they discover their money mysteriously returned in their sacks. This inexplicable event immediately triggers their collective conscience, leading them to attribute the unusual circumstance to God’s direct, and seemingly punitive, intervention in their lives, intensifying their anxiety about their precarious situation.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse is set amidst a severe famine gripping both Canaan, where Jacob and his family reside, and Egypt. Years prior, Joseph, having been sold into slavery by his brothers, has risen to become Egypt’s powerful second-in-command, overseeing the nation’s grain supply. When Jacob dispatches his ten eldest sons to Egypt for food, they unknowingly appear before Joseph, who recognizes them but conceals his identity. Joseph subjects them to a series of tests, including briefly imprisoning them and demanding they return with their youngest brother, Benjamin, while holding Simeon captive. As part of this elaborate scheme, Joseph secretly instructs his steward to return each brother's purchase money to their sacks along with their grain. The discovery in [Genesis 42:28](/genesis/42-28 "Read about the brothers' discovery in Genesis 42:28") occurs after they have departed from Egypt and stopped for the night, revealing the first instance of the returned money.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse opens with one of the brothers, likely Levi or Judah, exclaiming, "My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack." This sudden, unexpected discovery of the full payment still within their grain sacks, despite having purchased the food, plunges the brothers into immediate alarm. This act was orchestrated by Joseph, not out of malice, but as a calculated step in his plan to test his brothers, to bring them to repentance, and ultimately to reveal himself and reconcile with his family. The money's return, however, was perceived by them as a deeply unsettling, supernatural occurrence.

The KJV phrase "their heart failed [them], and they were afraid" vividly translates a Hebrew idiom (יצא לבם, *yatza libbam*) that conveys extreme dread, a complete loss of courage, or a feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by terror. It signifies a profound emotional and psychological collapse. Their fear was multi-faceted: it stemmed from the inexplicable nature of the event, the potential accusation of theft or fraud if discovered, and the already precarious situation they faced in Egypt, having been accused of being spies and having Simeon held captive.

Crucially, their immediate reaction, "What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us?", reveals their theological framework. They instinctively attributed the mysterious event to God's direct involvement. This was not merely a recognition of divine providence, but an interpretation rooted in their deeply troubled consciences. Their guilt over selling Joseph into slavery years earlier ([Genesis 37:28](/genesis/37-28 "Learn about Joseph being sold by his brothers in Genesis 37:28")) had resurfaced during their trials in Egypt, as evidenced by their earlier confession in [Genesis 42:21](/genesis/42-21 "See the brothers' confession of guilt in Genesis 42:21"). Thus, they interpreted this strange occurrence as a sign of divine displeasure or impending judgment for their past sin, fearing that God was now actively working against them. This moment marks a significant turning point in their spiritual journey, forcing them to confront their unaddressed guilt and the sovereignty of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence and Sovereignty:** The brothers' fearful question, "What is this that God hath done unto us?", ironically highlights God's unseen hand orchestrating events. While they perceived it as judgment, it was part of God's larger, redemptive plan to preserve Jacob's family and fulfill His covenant promises, a truth Joseph later articulates in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Read Joseph's perspective on God's good intentions in Genesis 50:20").
* **Conscience and Guilt:** The brothers' extreme fear and immediate attribution to divine action are deeply rooted in their unresolved guilt over selling Joseph. An unaddressed conscience can distort one's perception of God's actions, leading to misinterpretations of His intentions.
* **Fear of the Unknown and Divine Judgment:** The narrative illustrates the human reaction to inexplicable circumstances, especially when combined with a sense of personal culpability. The brothers' terror underscores the burden of sin and the natural human tendency to interpret misfortune as divine retribution.
* **God's Redemptive Plan Through Adversity:** Even through the brothers' fear, guilt, and the deceptive actions of Joseph (which were part of his test), God was working His ultimate purpose: the preservation of His covenant people and the unfolding of His plan for Israel.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:28 offers a profound reminder that God's hand is often at work in our lives, even in circumstances we find perplexing, frightening, or seemingly negative. Like Joseph's brothers, we may initially interpret difficult or unexpected situations as divine punishment or misfortune, failing to discern the larger, redemptive plan God may have in motion. This passage also powerfully underscores the burden of an unaddressed conscience; unresolved guilt can lead to a distorted view of God's character and intentions. For believers, understanding God's sovereignty allows us to trust Him even when circumstances are confusing, recognizing that He can use challenges for our good and for the fulfillment of His eternal purposes, ultimately leading us to greater dependence and understanding of His grace.

### FAQ
**Why were Joseph's brothers so afraid of the returned money?**

Answer: Their fear stemmed from multiple factors: the mysterious and inexplicable nature of the money's return (suggesting a trap, a setup for a false accusation of theft, or a magical occurrence), their already precarious situation in Egypt (having been accused of being spies and with Simeon held captive), and most significantly, their overwhelming guilt over selling Joseph into slavery years prior. They interpreted the unusual event as a direct sign of divine judgment for their past sins, causing their hearts to fail them in terror.

**Does "What is this that God hath done unto us?" imply God was punishing them?**

Answer: While the brothers, burdened by their guilty consciences, interpreted the event as a sign of divine punishment or displeasure, from God's sovereign perspective, it was part of His intricate plan for their preservation, reconciliation, and spiritual growth. Joseph later clarifies this divine intention in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Read Joseph's perspective on God's good intentions in Genesis 50:20"), stating that what his brothers intended for evil, God intended for good. The brothers' immediate reaction, however, reveals their deep-seated belief in God's active involvement in their lives and His ultimate justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph and his brothers, culminating in this moment of fear and eventual reconciliation, powerfully foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. Just as Joseph, though wronged, becomes the unexpected means of salvation and preservation for his family, so Christ, though unjustly crucified, becomes the ultimate deliverer and preserver of humanity. The brothers' journey from guilt and fear to repentance and forgiveness, orchestrated by Joseph's wise and providential actions, mirrors humanity's need for reconciliation with God, made possible only through the greater Joseph—Jesus Christ. God's sovereign plan, working through human sin and misunderstanding, ultimately leads to a restoration that points to the grander reconciliation offered through the Gospel.

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.