Genesis 42:29

KJV

¶ And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And they came {H935} unto Jacob {H3290} their father {H1} unto the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, and told {H5046} him all that befell {H7136} unto them; saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

They returned to Ya'akov their father in the land of Kena'an and told him all that had happened to them.

Berean Standard Bible

When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they described to him all that had happened to them:

American Standard Version

And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that had befallen them, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:29 recounts the return of Jacob's sons from their first journey to Egypt to their father in the land of Canaan, where they immediately began to relay the extraordinary and deeply troubling events that had transpired during their perilous expedition.

### CONTEXT
This verse immediately follows the brothers' terrifying discovery of the returned money in their sacks, intensifying their fear and confusion after their first journey to Egypt. Their expedition was necessitated by the severe famine gripping both Egypt and Canaan, leading them to unknowingly encounter their brother Joseph, now a powerful governor, who accused them of being spies ([Genesis 41:56](/genesis/41-56 "The severity of the famine in Genesis 41:56")). To prove their honesty, they were commanded to bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt, with Simeon held captive as collateral. The report they are about to deliver to Jacob is thus laden with anxiety, fear, and the seemingly impossible demand concerning Benjamin, a son Jacob cherished deeply after the presumed loss of Joseph ([Genesis 37:35](/genesis/37-35 "Jacob's mourning for Joseph in Genesis 37:35")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 42:29 describes the sons' arrival "unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan," marking their physical return to their familial home and the beginning of the emotional ordeal of relaying their experiences. The phrase "told him all that befell unto them" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their report. The King James Version's "befell" accurately translates the Hebrew term *qarah* (קָרָה), which signifies "to happen," "to meet," or "to occur." While seemingly straightforward, this term often carries a nuance of events unfolding by chance or, from a theological perspective, by divine orchestration, even when the characters themselves are unaware of God's hidden hand. In this context, it refers to the entire sequence of events in Egypt: their encounter with Joseph, the accusations, the demand for Benjamin, the imprisonment of Simeon, and the perplexing return of their money. The act of "telling all" signifies the weighty burden of their experience and the profound impact these revelations would have on their aged father, setting the stage for Jacob's desperate reaction in the following verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Burden of Difficult Truths:** The brothers' task of recounting "all that befell unto them" highlights the inherent weight and responsibility of delivering distressing news, especially within a family context.
* **Jacob's Enduring Grief and Parental Love:** The narrative continually underscores Jacob's deep attachment to his children, particularly his profound sorrow over the presumed loss of Joseph, which makes the demand for Benjamin an unbearable prospect.
* **Divine Providence and Hidden Purpose:** Although the characters remain unaware, these unfolding events—the famine, Joseph's rise to power, and the brothers' forced return to Egypt—are meticulously orchestrated by God. This intricate sequence serves His overarching plan to preserve His chosen family and ultimately bring about reconciliation and salvation, a truth later articulated by Joseph in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's perspective on God's redemptive plan in Genesis 50:20").
* **Testing and Moral Transformation:** The brothers' ordeal in Egypt, including the fear and confusion, serves as a divine test. This period of intense pressure and consequence for their past actions against Joseph is designed to lead them toward repentance, humility, and a deeper moral transformation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:29 reminds us that life often presents unforeseen challenges and difficult circumstances beyond our control, much like the brothers' journey to Egypt, which diverged dramatically from their expectations. In such times, the verse implicitly stresses the critical importance of open and honest communication within families or communities, even when the news is dire, as it is essential for processing events, making informed decisions, and fostering mutual support. Ultimately, the broader biblical narrative encourages us, like Jacob's family, to cultivate trust in God's sovereignty, believing that He is actively at work even amidst chaos and apparent threat, weaving all events together for His ultimate purpose and our good, as affirmed in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God's working all things for good in Romans 8:28").

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the brothers to tell Jacob "all that befell unto them"?**

Answer: It was crucial for the brothers to fully disclose the events in Egypt because their lives, Simeon's freedom, and the family's future depended on Jacob's understanding and agreement to send Benjamin. They had to explain their prolonged absence, the reason for Simeon's detention, and the powerful Egyptian governor's demand, which directly impacted the family's survival during the famine.

**Does the phrase "befell unto them" suggest random chance or divine orchestration?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word *qarah* (קָרָה), translated as "befell," can imply events happening by chance, within the larger narrative of Joseph and his family, it is consistently presented as God's sovereign and providential hand guiding the circumstances. Even though the characters themselves might perceive events as unfortunate or random, the biblical author reveals that God is meticulously orchestrating these occurrences for His ultimate redemptive purposes, as later confirmed by Joseph.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Genesis 42:29, with the brothers returning to report their ordeal to Jacob, subtly foreshadows the hidden divine plan that works through human suffering and misunderstanding to bring about ultimate salvation. Just as God used the seemingly calamitous events in Egypt to preserve Jacob's family, from whom the Messiah would descend, so too does the entire biblical story point to Christ. He is the ultimate Son, sent by the Father, who endured suffering and rejection (much like Joseph) to secure the reconciliation and preservation of His people. The unfolding drama, initiated by this report, ultimately leads to the reunion of the family and their sustenance, echoing Christ's role as the Bread of Life who gathers His scattered sheep and provides eternal nourishment, fulfilling God's covenant promises through a path of unexpected trials and triumphant redemption.

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.