Genesis 43:18

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

And the men {H582} were afraid {H3372}, because they were brought {H935} into Joseph's {H3130} house {H1004}; and they said {H559}, Because {H1697} of the money {H3701} that was returned {H7725} in our sacks {H572} at the first time {H8462} are we brought in {H935}; that he may seek occasion {H1556} against us, and fall {H5307} upon us, and take {H3947} us for bondmen {H5650}, and our asses {H2543}.

Upon being ushered inside Yosef's house, the men became fearful. They said, "It's because of the money that was returned in our packs the first time that we have been brought inside - so that he can use it as an excuse to attack us, take us as slaves and seize our donkeys too."

But the brothers were frightened that they had been taken to Joseph’s house. “We have been brought here because of the silver that was returned in our bags the first time,” they said. “They intend to overpower us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”

And the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

Commentary

Genesis 43:18 captures the acute fear and suspicion of Joseph's brothers as they are unexpectedly brought into the house of the powerful Egyptian official, whom they do not yet recognize as their brother Joseph. This verse highlights their profound anxiety, rooted in their past actions and the mysterious events surrounding their first trip to Egypt.

Context of Fear and Suspicion

This verse is set during the severe famine that gripped Canaan and Egypt, forcing Jacob's sons to seek grain in Egypt. On their first journey, they had an unsettling encounter with the Egyptian viceroy (Joseph), who accused them of being spies, imprisoned Simeon, and demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty. Adding to their distress, upon their return home, they discovered the money they had paid for the grain was inexplicably returned in their sacks. Now, on their second trip, with Benjamin in tow, they are invited to the official's house. Instead of relief, this invitation intensifies their fear, believing it to be a trap. Their past guilt over selling Joseph into slavery likely compounded their present anxiety, making them prone to suspicion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Fear and Misinterpretation: The brothers immediately assume the worst. They interpret being brought into Joseph's house not as an act of hospitality, but as a hostile maneuver. Their minds jump to accusations of theft and enslavement, echoing their earlier discovery of the money in their sacks (Genesis 42:28).
  • Guilt and Suspicion: Their fear is deeply intertwined with their past actions. The returned money, intended by Joseph as a gesture of grace, is perceived by them as evidence for an accusation. This illustrates how a guilty conscience can distort perception, leading one to expect punishment even when kindness is extended.
  • Vulnerability and Powerlessness: As foreigners in a powerful land, the brothers feel utterly vulnerable. They fear losing their freedom ("take us for bondmen") and their livelihood ("and our asses"), which were crucial for their survival and return to Canaan.
  • Divine Providence (Unseen): Unbeknownst to the brothers, Joseph's actions are not malicious but part of God's overarching plan to preserve Jacob's family and ultimately bless the nations, as Joseph himself would later explain (Genesis 45:5). Their fear, though real, is based on a profound misunderstanding of the true situation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "seek occasion against us" (Hebrew: יִתְגֹּלֵל עָלֵינוּ - yitgōlēl ‘ālênû) implies finding a pretext or excuse to accuse them. It conveys the idea of rolling over someone, or seizing an opportunity to overpower. The fear of being taken "for bondmen" (Hebrew: לַעֲבָדִים - la‘ăvādîm) highlights the very real threat of enslavement in the ancient world, a common consequence for those accused of wrongdoing or inability to pay debts.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights into human nature. It reminds us how easily fear and a guilty conscience can lead to misinterpretation, causing us to project our anxieties onto others' intentions. When we feel vulnerable or carry past burdens, we might assume the worst, even when circumstances are meant for our good. It encourages us to consider that what appears to be a threat might, in fact, be an unseen act of grace or part of a larger, benevolent plan, much like Joseph's actions were part of God's plan for his family's salvation.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 42:35 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Genesis 42:28 (2 votes)

    And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, [it is] even in my sack: and their heart failed [them], and they were afraid, saying one to another, What [is] this [that] God hath done unto us?

  • Psalms 73:16 (2 votes)

    When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

  • Mark 6:16 (2 votes)

    But when Herod heard [thereof], he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

  • Deuteronomy 22:14 (2 votes)

    And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

  • Judges 14:4 (2 votes)

    But his father and his mother knew not that it [was] of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.

  • Job 15:21 (2 votes)

    A dreadful sound [is] in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.