TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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)
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?” They said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Ioseph sawe his brethren, hee knewe them, and made himselfe straunge toward them, and spake to them roughly, and saide vnto them, Whence come yee? Who answered, Out of the land of Canaan, to bye vitaile.
Young's Literal Translation
And Joseph seeth his brethren, and discerneth them, and maketh himself strange unto them, and speaketh with them sharp things, and saith unto them, `From whence have ye come?' and they say, `From the land of Canaan--to buy food.'
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Commentary on Genesis 42 verses 7–20
7 ¶ 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.
8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
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.
10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:
15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
17 And he put them all together into ward three days.
18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
We may well wonder that Joseph, during the twenty years that he had now been in Egypt, especially during the last seven years that he had been in power there, never sent to his father to acquaint him with his circumstances; nay, it is strange that he who so often went throughout all the land of Egypt (Gen 41:45, Gen 41:46) never made an excursion to Canaan, to visit his aged father, when he was in the borders of Egypt, that lay next to Canaan. Perhaps it would not have been above three or four days' journey for him in his chariot. It is a probable conjecture that his whole management of himself in this affair was by special direction from Heaven, that the purpose of God concerning Jacob and his family might be accomplished. When Joseph's brethren came, he knew them by many a satisfactory token, but they knew not him, little thinking to find him there, Gen 42:8. He remembered the dreams (Gen 42:9), but they had forgotten them. The laying up of God's oracles in our hearts will be of excellent use to us in all our conduct. Joseph had an eye to his dreams, which he knew to be divine, in his carriage towards his brethren, and aimed at the accomplishment of them and the bringing of his brethren to repentance for their former sins; and both these points were gained.
I. He showed himself very rigorous and harsh with them. The very manner of his speaking, considering the post he was in, was enough to frighten them; for he spoke roughly to them, Gen 42:7. He charged them with bad designs against the government (Gen 42:9), treated them as dangerous persons, saying, You are spies, and protesting by the life of Pharaoh that they were so, Gen 42:16. Some make this an oath, others make it no more than a vehement asseveration, like that, as thy soul liveth; however it was more than yea, yea, and nay, nay, and therefore came of evil. Note, Bad words are soon learned by converse with those that use them, but not so soon unlearned. Joseph, by being much at court, got the courtier's oath, By the life of Pharaoh, perhaps designing hereby to confirm his brethren in their belief that he was an Egyptian, and not an Israelite. They knew this was not the language of a son of Abraham. When Peter would prove himself no disciple of Christ, he cursed and swore. Now why was Joseph thus hard upon his brethren? We may be sure it was not from a spirit of revenge, that he might now trample upon those who had formerly trampled upon him; he was not a man of that temper. But, 1. It was to enrich his own dreams, and complete the accomplishment of them. 2. It was to bring them to repentance. 3. It was to get out of them an account of the state of their family, which he longed to know: they would have discovered him if he had asked as a friend, therefore he asks as a judge. Not seeing his brother Benjamin with them, perhaps he began to suspect that they had made away with him too, and therefore gives them occasion to speak of their father and brother. Note, God in his providence sometimes seems harsh with those he loves, and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he has great mercy in store.
II. They, hereupon, were very submissive. They spoke to him with all the respect imaginable: Nay, my lord (Gen 42:10) - a great change since they said, Behold, this dreamer comes. They very modestly deny the charge: We are no spies. They tell him their business, that they came to buy food, a justifiable errand, and the same that many strangers came to Egypt upon at this time. They undertake to give a particular account of themselves and their family (Gen 42:13), and this was what they wanted.
III. He clapped them all up in prison for three days, Gen 42:17. Thus God deals with the souls he designs for special comfort and honour; he first humbles them, and terrifies them, and brings them under a spirit of bondage, and then binds up their wounds by the Spirit of adoption.
IV. He concluded with them, at last, that one of them should be left as a hostage, and the rest should go home and fetch Benjamin. It was a very encouraging word he said to them (Gen 42:18): I fear God; as if he had said, "You may assure yourselves I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know that, high as I am, there is one higher than I." Note, With those that fear God we have reason to expect fair dealing. The fear of God will be a check upon those that are in power, to restrain them from abusing their power to oppression and tyranny. Those that have no one else to stand in awe of ought to stand in awe of their own consciences. See Neh 5:15, So did not I, because of the fear of God.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–20. Public domain.
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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 42:7 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
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
Verse Breakdown
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, 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.
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
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), suffered unjustly at their hands, and was ultimately exalted to the right hand of God (Philippians 2:9-11). 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). 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).