Genesis 43:20

KJV

And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

KJV (with Strong's)

And said {H559}, O {H994} sir {H113}, we came indeed {H3381} down {H3381} at the first time {H8462} to buy {H7666} food {H400}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"Please, my lord, the first time we indeed came down to buy food;

Berean Standard Bible

“Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food.

American Standard Version

and said, Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 43:20](/genesis/43-20 "Read Genesis 43:20 in the KJV") captures the anxious and earnest explanation of Jacob's sons to Joseph's steward upon their second arrival in Egypt, as they preemptively address the mysterious reappearance of their money in their sacks after their first journey, hoping to demonstrate their honesty and avoid any accusation of theft.

### CONTEXT
This verse marks the beginning of the brothers' urgent attempt to explain themselves to Joseph's steward. Following their initial trip to Egypt to purchase grain during a severe famine, they were bewildered to discover the silver they had paid for food inexplicably returned to their sacks, first noticed by one brother ([Genesis 42:25](/genesis/42-25 "Read about the money found in their sacks in Genesis 42:25")) and then by all of them upon returning home ([Genesis 42:35](/genesis/42-35 "Read about the discovery of the money in Genesis 42:35")). Now, having returned to Egypt with their youngest brother, Benjamin, as demanded by Joseph ([Genesis 42:20](/genesis/42-20 "Read Joseph's demand for Benjamin in Genesis 42:20")), they are deeply apprehensive, believing they are about to be accused and eager to demonstrate their integrity by explaining the situation and offering to return the money.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Upon being brought into Joseph's house, a place of power and potential judgment, the brothers immediately launch into their explanation, driven by palpable fear and a desire to clear their names. Their opening words in [Genesis 43:20](/genesis/43-20 "Read Genesis 43:20 in the KJV") are a direct and earnest declaration of their past actions and their present intent.

* **"And said, O sir"**: The Hebrew term for "O sir" is אֲדֹנִי (*'adoni*), a respectful and deferential form of address. This indicates the brothers' humble posture and their recognition of the steward's authority and their own vulnerable position. It conveys a plea for understanding and favor, reflecting their deep anxiety and desire to make a good impression.
* **"we came indeed down at the first time to buy food"**: The word "indeed" (Hebrew: אָכֵן, *'akhen*) emphasizes the truthfulness and earnestness of their statement. They are not merely stating a fact but affirming it with conviction, underscoring their honesty. Their primary purpose for the first journey was legitimate – to purchase food during the famine – and they want to ensure this is understood, setting the stage for their explanation about the money.
* **Integrity and Honesty**: Despite their fear and the precariousness of their situation, the brothers' immediate concern is to demonstrate their integrity. They are proactive in confessing the discovery of the money and offering its return, highlighting a commitment to uprightness even when it might seem disadvantageous. This act of transparency, though born of fear, reveals a moral compass that values honesty over perceived gain.
* **Apprehension and Fear**: The entire tone of their address, from the deferential "O sir" to the hurried explanation, reveals their profound apprehension. They are acutely aware of being in a foreign land, under the authority of a powerful official (Joseph, whom they do not recognize, and his steward), and they anticipate accusation regarding the returned money. Their fear is a central emotional driver in this interaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Providence and Unseen Hand**: Unbeknownst to the brothers, their current predicament, including the mysterious return of the money and their subsequent fear, is part of Joseph's elaborate plan to reveal himself and reconcile with his family. This entire sequence is orchestrated by God to preserve the lineage of Israel during the severe famine. Their fear and confusion are steps in a larger divine purpose, as Joseph later articulates in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Read Joseph's perspective on God's plan in Genesis 50:20"), "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."
* **The Weight of Conscience and Guilt**: While the immediate fear is about the money, there's an underlying current of guilt from their past sin against Joseph, which they had recently recalled ([Genesis 42:21](/genesis/42-21 "Read about the brothers' guilt in Genesis 42:21")). Their current anxieties, though seemingly about the money, may be intensified by a subconscious sense of divine retribution for their earlier actions.
* **Human Integrity Under Pressure**: The brothers' immediate desire to return the money, even though they desperately needed food, highlights the importance of maintaining one's integrity. It underscores a biblical principle that honesty and uprightness are paramount, even when facing difficult circumstances or potential accusation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 43:20](/genesis/43-20 "Read Genesis 43:20 in the KJV") offers profound lessons for navigating life's challenges. When faced with misunderstanding, potential accusation, or circumstances that evoke fear, the brothers' initial response of seeking to speak the truth plainly and directly serves as a powerful example. Their willingness to proactively address a perceived wrongdoing, even at personal cost, underscores the enduring value of integrity. Furthermore, this narrative reminds us that, much like the brothers, we often face situations filled with fear and uncertainty, unable to see the full picture of God's work. It encourages us to trust that God is often orchestrating events behind the scenes, working all things for a greater good, even through our trials and anxieties, ultimately leading to His intended purposes.

### FAQ
**Why were the brothers so anxious about the money found in their sacks?**

Answer: The brothers were anxious because finding the money in their sacks made them appear as thieves or swindlers, especially in a foreign land where they were vulnerable. They feared being accused, imprisoned, or even executed, particularly after Joseph (whom they did not recognize) had already treated them harshly and demanded Benjamin's presence. They wanted to clear their names and prove their honesty.

**What is the significance of the phrase "O sir" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "O sir" (Hebrew: *'adoni*) is a respectful and deferential form of address. Its use here highlights the brothers' humble posture, their recognition of the steward's authority, and their deep anxiety. It conveys a plea for understanding and mercy, indicating their desperate desire to make a favorable impression and avoid punishment.

**Did the brothers truly need to explain themselves, or was it part of Joseph's plan?**

Answer: From the brothers' perspective, they absolutely needed to explain themselves to avoid severe repercussions. They genuinely feared being accused of theft. However, from a divine perspective, their explanation was part of Joseph's larger, providential plan. Joseph had orchestrated the money's return to test his brothers, observe their character, and ultimately prepare them for reconciliation, making their anxious explanation an unwitting step in God's grand design.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph and his brothers, particularly their initial fear and eventual reconciliation, powerfully foreshadows the work of Christ. Just as Joseph, though unrecognized by his brothers, held the power of life and death over them and ultimately became their savior from famine, so too does Christ, often unrecognized or misunderstood, hold ultimate authority and offers salvation from spiritual death. The brothers' anxiety and their earnest attempt to clear their names before Joseph's steward can be seen as a type of humanity's initial fear and attempt to justify itself before a holy God. However, just as Joseph's plan was not to condemn but to reconcile and preserve, Christ's mission is to reconcile humanity to God, not through our own anxious explanations or attempts at self-justification, but through His sacrificial work on the cross. The ultimate fulfillment lies in Christ, who, like Joseph, was rejected by His own, yet through His suffering and exaltation, became the means of salvation and reconciliation for all who come to Him in faith.

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.