TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yosef was governor over the land; it was he who sold to all the people of the land. Now when Yosef's brothers came and prostrated themselves before him on the ground,
Berean Standard Bible
Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
American Standard Version
And Joseph was the governor over the land; he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves to him with their faces to the earth.
World English Bible Messianic
Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Now Ioseph was gouerner of the land, who solde to all the people of the lande: then Iosephs brethren came, and bowed their face to the groud before him.
Young's Literal Translation
and Joseph is the ruler over the land, he who is selling to all the people of the land, and Joseph's brethren come and bow themselves to him--face to the earth.
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Commentary on Genesis 42 verses 1–6
1 ¶ Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
Though Jacob's sons were all married, and had families of their own, yet, it should seem, they were still incorporated in one society, under the conduct and presidency of their father Jacob. We have here,
I. The orders he gave them to go and buy corn in Egypt, Gen 42:1, Gen 42:2. Observe, 1. The famine was grievous in the land of Canaan. It is observable that all the three patriarches, to whom Canaan was the land of promise, met with famine in that land, which was not only to try their faith, whether they could trust God though he should slay them, though he should starve them, but to teach them to seek the better country, that is, the heavenly, Heb 11:14-16. We have need of something to wean us from this world, and make us long for a better. 2. Still, when there was famine in Canaan, there was corn in Egypt. Thus Providence orders it, that one place should be a succour and supply to another; for we are all brethren. The Egyptians, the seed of accursed Ham, have plenty, when God's blessed Israel want: Thus God, in dispensing common favours, often crosses hands. Yet observe, The plenty Egypt now had was owing, under God, to Joseph's prudence and care: if his brethren had not sold him into Egypt, but respected him according to his merits, who knows but he might have done the same thing for Jacob's family which now he had done for Pharaoh, and the Egyptians might then have come to them to buy corn? but those who drive away from among them wise and good men know not what they do. 3. Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt; he saw the corn that his neighbours had bought there and brought home. It is a spur to exertion to see where supplies are to be had, and to see others supplied. Shall others get food for their souls, and shall we starve while it is to be had? 4. He reproved his sons for delaying to provide corn for their families. Why do you look one upon another? Note, When we are in trouble and want, it is folly for us to stand looking upon one another, that is, to stand desponding and despairing, as if there were no hope, no help, - to stand disputing either which shall have the honour of going first or which shall have the safety of coming last, - to stand deliberating and debating what we shall do, and doing nothing, - to stand dreaming under a spirit of slumber, as if we had nothing to do, and to stand delaying, as if we had time at command. Let it never be said, "We left that to be done tomorrow which we could a well have done today." 5. He quickened them to go to Egypt: Get you down thither. Masters of families must not only pray for daily bread for their families, and food convenient, but must lay out themselves with care and industry to provide it.
II. Their obedience to these orders, Gen 42:3. They went down to buy corn; they did not send their servants, but very prudently went themselves, to lay out their own money. Let none think themselves too great nor too good to take pains. Masters of families should see with their own eyes, and take heed of leaving too much to servants. Only Benjamin went not with them, for he was his father's darling. To Egypt they came, among others, and, having a considerable cargo of corn to buy, they were brought before Joseph himself, who probably expected they would come; and, according to the laws of courtesy, they bowed down themselves before him, Gen 42:6. Now their empty sheaves did obeisance to his full one. Compare this with Isa 60:14 and Rev 3:9.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–6. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 64.5
They did all this out of ignorance for the time being. You see, it was a long time since they had last seen Joseph, and so they no longer recognized their brother’s appearance. After all, it was likely that some change had occurred in him now that he had reached maturity. Still, I’m inclined to think that it all happened as a result of the dispensation of the God of all so that they would fail to recognize their brother either from conversing with him or by sight. After all, how on earth would they have formed such an idea? I mean, they were under the impression that he had become a slave of the Ishmaelites and by now was enduring slavery under the barbarians. Whereas they were in no position to conceive any other idea and so recognize Joseph, he recognized them as soon as he saw them and took every care to conceal his identity, wishing to deal with them as with foreigners.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 42:6 marks a profound and pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative, depicting his brothers' arrival in famine-stricken Egypt and their unwitting prostration before him, now the land's powerful governor. This scene dramatically illustrates Joseph's remarkable ascent from enslaved prisoner to a position of immense authority, simultaneously revealing the intricate unfolding of God's sovereign plan to fulfill Joseph's prophetic dreams and orchestrate the eventual reconciliation and preservation of Jacob's family.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse is rich with Irony, serving as the primary literary device. The very brothers who once scorned Joseph's dreams of their bowing to him (as detailed in Genesis 37:7-9) are now unknowingly fulfilling those prophecies through their desperate act of prostration. This creates a powerful Dramatic Contrast between Joseph's past suffering and his present exaltation, and between the brothers' past arrogance and their current humility and dependence. The act of bowing itself functions as Symbolism, representing not only their physical submission but also the inevitable triumph of God's plan over human malice. The entire scene operates as a profound Fulfillment of Prophecy, validating the divine origin of Joseph's dreams and underscoring God's meticulous orchestration of history.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:6 is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to weave together human actions, both righteous and sinful, into the tapestry of His overarching redemptive plan. It highlights that even through profound injustice and suffering, God remains faithful to His word, meticulously bringing His prophecies to fruition. This verse underscores the theme of divine reversal, where God exalts the humble and brings low the proud, often using unexpected means to accomplish His will. The brothers' unwitting submission also sets the stage for a journey of repentance and reconciliation, foreshadowing the restoration of a fractured family and the preservation of the nascent nation of Israel.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 42:6 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating life's complexities, particularly when facing injustice, betrayal, or prolonged suffering. Joseph's story reminds us that God's sovereign hand is always at work, meticulously orchestrating events, even those seemingly chaotic or malevolent, for His ultimate glory and the good of His people. It challenges us to cultivate unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to transform our deepest wounds into platforms for His purposes. We are called to embrace humility, recognizing that God often uses the very circumstances we dread to bring about His intended outcomes, often reversing human expectations and demonstrating His power through our weakness. This narrative encourages patient endurance, knowing that God's plan will ultimately prevail, leading to His intended outcome and the fulfillment of His promises.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Joseph's brothers not recognize him?
Answer: Joseph's brothers failed to recognize him for several compelling reasons. Firstly, a significant passage of time, over two decades, had elapsed since they last saw him as a seventeen-year-old shepherd boy. Secondly, Joseph's appearance had drastically changed due to his Egyptian attire, shaved head, and likely a more mature physique. Thirdly, his elevated status as the governor of Egypt, a position of immense power and authority, would have been unimaginable to them; they expected him to be dead or a slave, not a ruler. Furthermore, Joseph likely communicated through an interpreter (as implied in Genesis 42:23), further masking his true identity and language. Finally, their own guilt and fear would have clouded their perception, making them less likely to consider the possibility that the powerful Egyptian official before them was their long-lost brother.
Does this event suggest that God causes evil to achieve good?
Answer: No, this event does not suggest that God causes evil. Instead, it powerfully demonstrates God's infinite wisdom and omnipotence in His ability to overrule or redeem the sinful actions of humanity for His righteous and redemptive purposes. The brothers' act of selling Joseph into slavery was undeniably evil and motivated by malice and envy. However, God, in His perfect sovereignty, did not instigate their sin but masterfully integrated it into His overarching plan to preserve Jacob's family and the nascent nation of Israel from famine. Joseph himself articulates this profound theological truth in Genesis 50:20, stating, "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." God remains holy and just, never the author of evil, yet His sovereign control extends even over the consequences of human sin, enabling Him to bring about ultimate good.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene in Genesis 42:6, where Joseph's brothers unknowingly bow before him, serves as a profound type of Christ and a powerful foreshadowing of His ultimate exaltation. Like Joseph, Christ was rejected and betrayed by His own people, sold for a price (thirty pieces of silver, echoing Joseph's twenty pieces of silver in Matthew 26:15), and suffered unjustly, even unto death. Yet, through His suffering and subsequent resurrection and ascension, God used the evil intentions of men to bring about the greatest good—salvation and eternal life for all who believe. Just as Joseph, the provider of bread, became the unrecognized savior of his family and many nations, so too does Christ, the "Bread of Life" (John 6:35), provide spiritual sustenance and salvation, ultimately receiving the submission and worship of all creation. This moment in Genesis powerfully anticipates the future universal recognition and homage paid to the exalted Christ, fulfilling the prophecy that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" (Philippians 2:10). Joseph's story is a testament to God's redemptive plan, culminating in the supreme work of Christ, who was humbled for a time and then exalted to the highest place, becoming the ultimate deliverer and sovereign Lord.