Genesis 42:7

KJV

¶ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} saw {H7200} his brethren {H251}, and he knew {H5234} them, but made himself strange {H5234} unto them, and spake {H1696} roughly {H7186} unto them; and he said {H559} unto them, Whence {H370} come {H935} ye? And they said {H559}, From the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667} to buy {H7666} food {H400}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef saw his brothers and recognized them; but he acted toward them as if he were a stranger and spoke harshly with them. He asked them, "Where are you from?" They answered, "From the land of Kena'an to buy food."

Berean Standard Bible

And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”

American Standard Version

And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly with them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 42:7 marks a pivotal and dramatic turning point in the Joseph narrative, initiating a series of strategic encounters between Joseph, now the powerful vizier of Egypt, and his unsuspecting brothers. Despite years of separation and his transformed appearance, Joseph immediately recognizes his siblings who have traveled from famine-stricken Canaan to purchase grain. However, he deliberately conceals his true identity and adopts a harsh demeanor, setting in motion a carefully orchestrated series of tests designed to assess their character, repentance, and the state of their familial bonds, particularly concerning their youngest brother, Benjamin, all leading towards an eventual, profound reconciliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Joseph's life, specifically following his miraculous rise to power in Egypt as detailed in [Genesis 41](/genesis/41 "Genesis 41 - Joseph's Interpretation of Pharaoh's Dreams and Exaltation"). The preceding chapters detail Joseph's dreams of his family bowing to him ([Genesis 37:5-11](/genesis/37-5-11 "Joseph's Prophetic Dreams")), his brothers' jealousy and betrayal ([Genesis 37:18-36](/genesis/37-18-36 "Joseph Sold into Slavery")), and his subsequent trials and triumphs in Egypt. The severe famine, prophesied by Joseph and now gripping the entire region, serves as the divine catalyst that brings his brothers, completely unaware of his identity, directly into his presence, thus setting the stage for the fulfillment of his youthful dreams and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Jacob's family.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set in ancient Egypt during a period of widespread famine, a common occurrence in the ancient Near East due to unpredictable rainfall patterns or Nile floods. Egypt, with its advanced agricultural systems and the foresight of Joseph's grain storage plan, became the sole source of sustenance for surrounding nations, including Canaan. The practice of foreigners seeking food from a powerful empire like Egypt was customary. Joseph's position as vizier, second only to Pharaoh, granted him immense authority, including control over the grain distribution. The cultural expectation of bowing before a high official, as the brothers do, underscores the vast power disparity and their unwitting submission to their long-lost brother, fulfilling the prophetic imagery of Joseph's dreams.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 42:7 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates seemingly disparate events—Joseph's enslavement, his rise to power, and the famine—to fulfill His purposes, ultimately preserving the nascent nation of Israel. The verse also introduces the theme of **Testing and Transformation**, as Joseph's actions initiate a crucible for his brothers, forcing them to confront their past sins and leading to a profound change of heart, which is essential for the subsequent **Reconciliation and Forgiveness** that defines the climax of the Joseph story. Furthermore, it exemplifies the biblical motif of **Hidden Identity and Revelation**, where God's chosen instruments or His own plans are often concealed for a time before being revealed in His perfect timing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 42:7 captures the dramatic moment of recognition and the deliberate choice Joseph makes to conceal his identity, initiating a complex and pivotal phase in the family's story.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **'âch (Hebrew, _ʼâch'_):** This word, translated as "brethren," refers to a brother in the widest sense, encompassing both literal blood relationship and metaphorical affinity. In this context, it emphasizes the profound familial bond that Joseph instantly recognizes despite the passage of time and his transformed appearance. It underscores the deep-seated identity and history shared between Joseph and those who had betrayed him, laying the groundwork for the emotional complexities of the ensuing narrative.
* **nâkar (Hebrew, _nâkar'_):** Translated as "made himself strange" and also underlying "knew them" (in the sense of recognizing), this primitive root means "to scrutinize, to look intently at," leading to "acknowledgment" or, conversely, "to disregard, ignore, be strange toward, dissimulate." Joseph's action, "made himself strange unto them" (וַיִּתְנַכֵּר, _vayitnakker_), is a deliberate, active performance of feigning ignorance or acting like a foreigner. It signifies his intentional decision to disown or estrange himself from them temporarily, not out of malice, but as a calculated part of his strategy.
* **qâsheh (Hebrew, _qâsheh'_):** This term, meaning "severe" or "hard," is used to describe how Joseph "spake roughly" (קָשׁוֹת, _qashot_) to his brothers. It conveys a demeanor that is harsh, stern, or difficult. This was not merely a tone of voice but a deliberate posture of authority and severity, designed to intimidate and test his brothers, forcing them into a position of vulnerability and self-examination, rather than an immediate, emotional reunion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them,"**: This opening clause establishes Joseph's immediate and unequivocal recognition of his brothers. Despite his high Egyptian office, the passage of over two decades, and his changed appearance (Egyptian attire, language, and customs), the familial bond and memory were strong enough for instant discernment. This recognition is unilateral; the brothers do not recognize him, setting up the dramatic irony that permeates the subsequent chapters.
* **"but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them;"**: This is the pivotal action of the verse. Joseph's decision to "make himself strange" (Hebrew: _vayitnakker_) signifies a deliberate act of dissimulation, feigning ignorance or acting as a foreigner. Coupled with speaking "roughly" (Hebrew: _qashot_), meaning harshly or severely, it reveals Joseph's intentional strategy to create distance and tension. This was not an act of revenge but a calculated test to probe their character, assess their remorse for past actions, and determine if they had changed, especially concerning their treatment of Benjamin.
* **"and he said unto them, Whence come ye?"**: Joseph's direct question, delivered in his feigned harsh tone, immediately establishes his authority and puts his brothers on the defensive. It forces them to account for their presence and origin, initiating the formal interrogation that would become part of his testing process. This question also serves to confirm their identity and their connection to Canaan.
* **"And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food."**: The brothers' response is straightforward and factual, revealing their desperate situation and the reason for their journey. Their answer confirms their origin and their purpose, inadvertently setting the stage for Joseph's next steps in his elaborate plan to test them and eventually reveal himself.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in literary devices, most notably **Dramatic Irony**. The audience is privy to Joseph's identity and his recognition of his brothers, while the brothers themselves remain oblivious. This creates profound tension and anticipation, as every interaction is viewed through the lens of this hidden knowledge. The contrast between Joseph's inner recognition and his outward **Dissimulation** (making himself strange) and **Antithesis** (knowing them but acting as if he doesn't) highlights his strategic brilliance and emotional control. Furthermore, the scene **Foreshadows** the eventual fulfillment of Joseph's dreams from [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Joseph's Dreams and Betrayal"), as his brothers, unknowingly, bow before him. The **Dialogue** is terse and authoritative on Joseph's part, reflecting his assumed role and the power dynamic he establishes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 42:7 is a critical juncture that underscores God's meticulous and often mysterious work in human history. It reveals that even the most painful betrayals and separations can be woven into a larger tapestry of divine purpose, leading to redemption and restoration. Joseph's actions, though seemingly harsh, serve as a divinely ordained crucible, designed to bring about repentance and transformation in his brothers, ultimately preserving the lineage through which God's covenant promises would be fulfilled. This moment highlights the principle that God's providence often operates through human agency and difficult circumstances to achieve His redemptive ends.

* [Genesis 45:5](/genesis/45-5 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Purpose") - Joseph later explains to his brothers that God sent him ahead of them to preserve life.
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Declaration of God's Goodness") - Joseph explicitly declares, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
* [Psalm 105:16-17](/psalm/105-16-17 "Psalm 105:16-17 - God's Providence in Joseph's Life") - This psalm recounts how God "called for a famine on the land and destroyed all their supply of food; and he sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound drama of Genesis 42:7 invites us to reflect on the intricate ways God works in our own lives and relationships. Joseph's ability to see beyond the immediate circumstances and act with a long-term, redemptive strategy, even when it involved personal pain and calculated harshness, challenges us to consider God's perspective. Are we willing to trust God's sovereignty even when His methods seem unclear or difficult? This passage encourages us to believe that God can redeem even the most fractured relationships and painful betrayals. It also suggests that true reconciliation often requires a process of confronting past wrongs, genuine repentance, and a willingness to extend and receive forgiveness. Just as Joseph's testing refined his brothers, our own trials can be instruments of God's grace, shaping our character and preparing us for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joseph's immediate recognition of his brothers, contrasted with their ignorance, speak to the nature of memory and familial bonds, even after long periods of separation and change?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or confusing circumstances in my life today to test my character or prepare me for a future purpose?**
* **What does Joseph's deliberate decision to "make himself strange" teach us about the complex, sometimes painful, steps required for true reconciliation and healing in broken relationships?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan, even when I cannot see the immediate purpose or outcome of challenging situations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Joseph conceal his identity from his brothers?**

Answer: Joseph's concealment was a deliberate and strategic act, not driven by malice or revenge, but by a deeper, redemptive purpose. He sought to test his brothers' character, assess their repentance for their past betrayal (selling him into slavery), and determine if their hearts had changed, particularly regarding their treatment of Benjamin, Jacob's youngest son and Rachel's only other child. This period of testing was crucial for their spiritual growth, to humble them, bring them to confession, and ultimately prepare them for a genuine, lasting reconciliation that would preserve the family and fulfill God's covenant promises.

**Was Joseph's "rough" treatment of his brothers justified?**

Answer: From a purely human perspective, Joseph's actions might appear harsh, but within the divine narrative, they served a necessary and redemptive purpose. His "rough" speech and demands were a means to an end: to bring his brothers to a place of self-examination, confession, and repentance. It was a divinely orchestrated crucible designed to expose their past sins, reveal their current character, and prepare them for a profound transformation. This process was essential for the true reconciliation of the family and for God's larger plan for the nascent nation of Israel to unfold. It highlights that God sometimes uses difficult circumstances to bring about spiritual maturity and healing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, particularly his suffering, rejection by his own brothers, and subsequent exaltation to a position of power that ultimately saves his family from famine, serves as a profound **type of Christ**. Like Joseph, Jesus was rejected by His own people ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Christ Rejected by His Own")), suffered unjustly at their hands, and was ultimately exalted to the right hand of God ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). From this position of ultimate authority, Christ provides salvation, not merely from physical famine, but from spiritual death, offering reconciliation and eternal life to those who once rejected Him ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Saves His People")). Joseph's testing of his brothers, leading them to repentance and genuine reconciliation, powerfully mirrors Christ's work in drawing sinners to Himself, revealing His true identity as Savior, and bringing them into a restored relationship with God the Father through His atoning sacrifice ([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.

Cross-References

Genesis 42:30

The man, [who is] the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

Matthew 15:23

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

Matthew 15:26

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs.

Genesis 42:14

And Joseph said unto them, That [is it] that I spake unto you, saying, Ye [are] spies:

Genesis 42:17

And he put them all together into ward three days.

Genesis 42:9

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye [are] spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Genesis 42:12

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.