Genesis 42:35

KJV

And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money [was] in his sack: and when [both] they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass as they emptied {H7324} their sacks {H8242}, that, behold, every man's {H376} bundle {H6872} of money {H3701} was in his sack {H8242}: and when both they and their father {H1} saw {H7200} the bundles {H6872} of money {H3701}, they were afraid {H3372}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Next, as they emptied their packs, there was each man's bag of money in his pack; and when they and their father saw their bags of money, they became afraid.

Berean Standard Bible

As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:35 vividly portrays the intense fear and confusion that gripped Jacob's sons and their father upon discovering the money they had paid for grain mysteriously returned in their sacks. This unexpected event, occurring as they emptied their provisions after their first journey to Egypt, amplified their anxieties and deepened their sense of foreboding, setting the stage for further developments in Joseph's intricate plan.

### CONTEXT
This verse marks a critical juncture in the unfolding narrative of Joseph and his brothers. Having traveled to Egypt to purchase food during a severe famine, they unknowingly encountered Joseph, their long-lost brother. Joseph, orchestrating events according to God's sovereign plan, accused them of being spies and demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty. He then secretly commanded his steward to return each man's payment money into his sack. While [one brother had found his money in his sack earlier](/genesis/42-27 "Read about Reuben's discovery of money in Genesis 42:27-28"), causing immediate alarm, the full discovery by all of them upon emptying their sacks at home, and the subsequent realization by their father Jacob, amplified their terror. This discovery immediately followed their recounting to Jacob all that had transpired in Egypt, including Joseph's harsh demands and the imprisonment of Simeon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of [Genesis 42:35](/genesis/42-35 "Read Genesis 42:35 KJV") describes a moment of profound revelation and dread. "And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money [was] in his sack." The phrase "bundle of money" translates the Hebrew word *tz'ror* (צְרוֹר), which denotes a small bag, purse, or a sum of money tied up in a cloth. This emphasizes that it was a distinct, identifiable amount of currency, not loose coins, making its unexpected presence even more startling and undeniable. The use of "behold" (הִנֵּה, *hinneh*) underscores the suddenness and shock of this discovery. Unlike Reuben's earlier, isolated finding on the journey, this was a collective revelation by all the brothers, at home, in the presence of their father.

The latter part of the verse, "and when [both] they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid," highlights the shared terror. The Hebrew verb "were afraid" (יָרְאוּ, *yare'u*) conveys a profound sense of dread or terror, far beyond mere surprise or confusion. This fear was multi-layered. On one level, it stemmed from the inexplicable nature of the returned money, which could be interpreted as a trap, an accusation of theft, or a sign of divine disfavor. On a deeper level, it was rooted in their conscience, particularly their [past sin against Joseph](/genesis/42-21 "Recall the brothers' confession of guilt in Genesis 42:21"). They likely perceived this strange occurrence as a form of divine retribution or a further entanglement in a dangerous situation with the powerful Egyptian ruler, believing they were being held accountable for an unknown transgression or that God was finally addressing their long-held guilt. The collective fear of the brothers and Jacob underscores the gravity of the situation and their inability to comprehend the divine orchestration at play.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence:** Although the brothers were unaware, this seemingly random and frightening act was an integral part of Joseph's intricate plan, which was ultimately God's sovereign plan. The return of the money, while causing distress, was a strategic move by Joseph to draw his family back to Egypt and set the stage for [his eventual revelation of his identity](/genesis/45-1 "Discover Joseph revealing himself to his brothers in Genesis 45:1-8") and the preservation of his family during the famine. It powerfully illustrates God's unseen hand guiding seemingly chaotic or distressing events towards His benevolent purposes.
* **Testing and Transformation:** Joseph's actions, including the returned money, served as a profound test for his brothers. This trial was designed to expose their character, bring them to a place of repentance for their past sins, and prepare them for reconciliation. The fear and confusion they experienced were catalysts in a process of spiritual transformation, leading them to acknowledge their guilt and fostering a willingness to protect Benjamin, demonstrating a significant shift from their earlier callousness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 42:35](/genesis/42-35 "Read Genesis 42:35 KJV") offers a powerful reminder that God often works in mysterious ways, even through circumstances that cause us great fear or confusion. The terror experienced by Jacob and his sons, rooted in their past guilt and present predicament, ultimately led them closer to the fulfillment of [Joseph's prophetic dreams](/genesis/37-5 "Explore Joseph's prophetic dreams in Genesis 37:5-11") and their own reconciliation. In our own lives, seemingly inexplicable or frightening situations can be part of God's larger, benevolent plan. This verse encourages us to cultivate trust in divine providence, even when we cannot see the full picture, and to recognize that God can use difficult circumstances to bring about growth, reconciliation, and the accomplishment of His purposes, often by exposing our hidden fears and prompting us towards deeper reliance on Him.

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph return the money to his brothers' sacks?**

Answer: Joseph returned the money as part of his strategy to test his brothers and orchestrate their return to Egypt. This act served multiple purposes: it created a pretext for them to return with Benjamin, deepened their anxiety and sense of divine judgment (which was part of their repentance process), and provided a means for them to return to Egypt without appearing to have stolen from him. Ultimately, it was a step in God's plan to bring the entire family to Egypt for their preservation.

**What was the nature of the fear experienced by the brothers and Jacob?**

Answer: Their fear was profound and multi-faceted. It was not merely surprise at the returned money but a deep dread (*yare'u*). This fear likely stemmed from several sources: the inexplicable nature of the event (was it a trap? a curse?); the potential accusation of theft from a powerful Egyptian official, which could lead to severe punishment; and most significantly, a reawakening of their long-held guilt over their past sin against Joseph, making them believe this was divine retribution or a sign of God's judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, culminating in the events surrounding [Genesis 42:35](/genesis/42-35 "Read Genesis 42:35 KJV"), profoundly prefigures Christ. Joseph, rejected and sold by his brothers, becomes a deliverer and provider, ultimately saving his family from famine. Similarly, Christ, rejected and crucified by humanity, becomes the ultimate Savior and Sustainer. The brothers' fear and confusion upon discovering the returned money, leading them to a deeper awareness of their sin and a desperate need for a deliverer, mirrors humanity's condition before Christ. Through His atoning work, Christ brings about reconciliation and provides true provision, turning the "fear" of judgment into the "peace" of forgiveness, just as Joseph's testing ultimately led his brothers to repentance and a restored relationship with their long-lost brother and, by extension, with God's redemptive plan.

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.