Genesis 43:7

KJV

And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

KJV (with Strong's)

And they said {H559}, The man {H376} asked {H7592} us straitly {H7592} of our state, and of our kindred {H4138}, saying {H559}, Is your father {H1} yet alive {H2416}? have ye {H3426} another brother {H251}? and we told {H5046} him according {H5921} to the tenor {H6310} of these words {H1697}: could we certainly {H3045} know {H3045} that he would say {H559}, Bring {H3381} your brother {H251} down {H3381}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They answered, "The man kept questioning us about ourselves and about our kinsmen. He asked, 'Is your father still alive?''Do you have another brother?' and we answered according to the literal meaning of his questions. How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down'?"

Berean Standard Bible

They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?”

American Standard Version

And they said, The man asked straitly concerning ourselves, and concerning our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we in any wise know that he would say, Bring your brother down?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 43:7 records the desperate and detailed explanation provided by Joseph's brothers to their father, Jacob, concerning their rigorous interrogation by the Egyptian governor—unbeknownst to them, their own brother, Joseph. They recount how the governor meticulously inquired about their family's well-being and the existence of another brother, thereby justifying their revelation of sensitive information that ultimately led to the demand for Benjamin's presence in Egypt. This verse encapsulates their earnest attempt to alleviate Jacob's profound fears and secure his reluctant permission for Benjamin to accompany them on their essential return journey for more provisions during the severe famine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the unfolding drama of Jacob's family, following their initial journey to Egypt for food and their encounter with Joseph, who they do not recognize. In [Genesis 42](/genesis/42 "Genesis 42 - Joseph's Brothers in Egypt"), Joseph, acting as governor, accuses his brothers of being spies and demands they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to prove their honesty, holding Simeon as a hostage. Upon their return to Canaan, Jacob is distraught by the news and vehemently refuses to send Benjamin, fearing that harm will befall him, especially after the presumed death of Joseph ([Genesis 42:38](/genesis/42-38 "Jacob's sorrow over Benjamin")). As the famine intensifies and their food supply dwindles, the brothers are forced to confront Jacob's resistance. Genesis 43:7 provides their detailed defense, explaining *why* they had to reveal information about Benjamin, setting the stage for Judah's powerful intercession and Jacob's eventual, desperate concession in the verses that follow ([Genesis 43:8-14](/genesis/43-8-14 "Judah's pledge and Jacob's decision")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set during a severe famine, a common and devastating occurrence in the ancient Near East, which often forced populations to migrate in search of sustenance. Egypt, with its fertile Nile Delta and advanced agricultural practices, was a renowned granary, making it a natural destination for those seeking food. The concept of a powerful governor (like Joseph) controlling food distribution was typical, as was the suspicion of foreigners, who might be spies or raiders. Family structures were patriarchal, with the father (Jacob) holding ultimate authority over his sons and their movements. The deep emotional attachment to a youngest son, particularly one born of a beloved deceased wife (Rachel), was culturally significant, making Jacob's reluctance to part with Benjamin understandable. The brothers' detailed explanation reflects the cultural expectation of accountability to the family patriarch and the gravity of their situation.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 43:7 contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence**, as Joseph's seemingly harsh and arbitrary demands are, in reality, part of God's intricate plan to bring the entire family to Egypt, ensuring their survival and setting the stage for the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Covenant with Abram")). The verse also underscores **Human Responsibility and Accountability**, as the brothers feel compelled to justify their actions and disclosures to their father, reflecting the weight of their familial duty. Furthermore, it continues to develop the theme of **Family Reconciliation**, as Joseph's actions, though painful, are designed to test his brothers' character and bring about a genuine change of heart, ultimately leading to their reunion and healing. The desperate need for food also emphasizes the theme of **Survival and Sustenance** in the face of overwhelming natural disaster.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
In Genesis 43:7, the brothers' words serve as a meticulous defense and an urgent plea to Jacob, aiming to justify their actions and the sensitive information they divulged to the Egyptian governor. Their explanation is designed to alleviate Jacob's fears and secure his permission for Benjamin to accompany them.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **asked (Hebrew, _shâʼal'_):** From H7592, this word means "to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand." The KJV's "asked us straitly" emphasizes the intensity and directness of Joseph's interrogation. It was not a casual query but a forceful, penetrating inquiry that left little room for evasion or concealment. The brothers are asserting that they were compelled to reveal details about their family's circumstances and lineage due to the rigorous nature of the questioning.
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** From H1, this primitive word refers to a "father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal." Joseph's specific inquiry, "Is your father yet alive?", directly targeted Jacob, highlighting Joseph's personal interest and emotional investment in his father's well-being, masked by his role as governor. The brothers, unaware of his true identity, perceived this as a standard question from a powerful official verifying their claims.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045, this primitive root means "to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)." The brothers' rhetorical question, "could we certainly know," uses a repetition of *yâdaʻ* (H3045, *yâdaʻ*... *yâdaʻ*) to emphasize their perceived inability to foresee Joseph's demand. They argue that they could not have anticipated the governor's ultimate requirement for Benjamin based on their truthful answers, thereby shifting responsibility away from themselves.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred,"**: The brothers begin their defense by establishing the demanding nature of the interrogation. The "man" (Joseph) was not merely curious but "asked straitly," implying a forceful and insistent inquiry. They were compelled to disclose details about their general "state" (their current situation, perhaps their livelihood or circumstances) and their "kindred" (their family, lineage, and relatives). This sets the stage for why they felt obligated to reveal sensitive information.
* **"saying, [Is] your father yet alive? have ye [another] brother?"**: These are the specific, pointed questions Joseph posed, which the brothers now relay to Jacob. Joseph's inquiries were precise, designed to ascertain the well-being of his father, Jacob, and the existence of his full brother, Benjamin. This reveals Joseph's deeply personal agenda, though the brothers are oblivious to it, perceiving these as standard questions from a powerful official verifying their claims and assessing their potential threat or trustworthiness.
* **"and we told him according to the tenor of these words:"**: The brothers assert their honesty and compliance. They claim they responded truthfully and directly, "according to the tenor" (Hebrew: *peh*, H6310, meaning "mouth" or "utterance," combined with *dâbâr*, H1697, "word" or "matter") of Joseph's specific inquiries. This implies they were not careless with information but merely answered what was demanded of them, trying to paint themselves as victims of circumstance rather than negligent in their father's trust.
* **"could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?"**: This rhetorical question serves as their ultimate justification to Jacob. By asking "could we certainly know" (a double emphasis on "know" in the Hebrew, H3045), they underscore their perceived lack of foresight and control. They argue that it was impossible for them to anticipate Joseph's demand for Benjamin based on their truthful answers, thereby shifting responsibility away from themselves and onto the unexpected and seemingly arbitrary demand of the Egyptian governor.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several **Literary Devices** to convey the brothers' predicament and their attempt at justification. **Rhetorical Question** is prominently used in "could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?" This question is not seeking an answer but is a powerful means for the brothers to deflect blame and emphasize their perceived helplessness in the face of the governor's unexpected demand. The phrase "asked us straitly" functions as **Hyperbole**, conveying an intensity of interrogation that might have been less severe than portrayed, but which the brothers use to underscore their lack of choice in revealing information. Furthermore, the entire explanation serves as a form of **Apologia** or defense, where the brothers meticulously recount events to clear their names and persuade Jacob to comply with the governor's demand. The **Irony** is profound, as the "man" asking the questions is Joseph, their own brother, whose true identity and benevolent intentions remain hidden from them and Jacob, adding a layer of dramatic tension to their desperate plea.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 43:7 powerfully illustrates the intricate workings of divine providence, even amidst human distress and misunderstanding. Unbeknownst to Jacob and his sons, Joseph's seemingly arbitrary demands were not random acts of power but precisely orchestrated steps within God's larger plan to bring the entire family to Egypt, ensuring their survival during the famine and setting the stage for the fulfillment of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The brothers' detailed explanation reflects their desperate need for justification and accountability to their father, highlighting the weight of their responsibility within the family unit and the profound fear of Jacob's anger and grief. This moment of intense familial negotiation, driven by necessity and past trauma, is a crucial step toward the eventual reconciliation and healing that God intends for this fractured family.

* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's statement of God's redemptive purpose")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "God's counsel stands forever")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 43:7 offers profound insights for believers navigating life's complexities, particularly when circumstances seem overwhelming or inexplicable. Like Jacob's family, we often find ourselves in situations where we cannot discern God's larger purpose, and the immediate path is unclear or fraught with difficulty. This passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when the immediate events appear to be arbitrary or harsh, remembering that He orchestrates all things for our ultimate good and His glory. The brothers' desperate attempt at clear communication, though born of duress, highlights the enduring importance of transparency and honest explanation in resolving relational conflicts and rebuilding trust within families and communities. Even when the truth is uncomfortable or leads to challenging outcomes, open communication, coupled with a reliance on God's unseen hand, can pave the way for healing and reconciliation. This teaches us to communicate with integrity, even under pressure, and to rest in the knowledge that God is at work, even when we cannot trace His hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when circumstances seem to be spiraling out of your control, and God's purpose is unclear?**
* **In what ways can you practice greater transparency and honest communication in your relationships, even when it's difficult?**
* **How does the hidden hand of God in this narrative encourage you to trust His sovereignty in your own life's challenges?**

### FAQ
**What does "asked us straitly" imply about Joseph's interrogation?**

Answer: The phrase "asked us straitly" (from the Hebrew *sha'al*, H7592) implies a rigorous, penetrating, and direct inquiry, not a casual conversation. It conveys that Joseph's questions were insistent and left the brothers with little room for evasion or concealment, compelling them to reveal details about their family's state and the existence of Benjamin. This was a deliberate and intense interrogation designed to extract specific information.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, culminating in this moment of the brothers' desperate explanation, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Christ. Joseph, though unrecognized by his brothers and having endured immense suffering and separation, acted as a providential savior figure, orchestrating events that would ultimately preserve his family and bring them into a place of provision in Egypt. This mirrors Christ, who "came unto his own, and his own received him not" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "Christ came to His own")), suffering rejection and death, only to be exalted to a position of ultimate power and authority ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Christ's exaltation")). Just as Joseph's seemingly harsh demands and tests were designed to bring about repentance and reconciliation within his family, leading to their salvation from famine, so too Christ's call to repentance and faith, though initially challenging, leads to the ultimate reconciliation of humanity with God and eternal life ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "God reconciling the world to Himself through Christ")). Joseph's plan, though causing initial distress and fear, ultimately led to the preservation and flourishing of his family, much like Christ's redemptive work, which, through the cross, brings about salvation and abundant life for all who believe ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "Jesus came that they might have life")).

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 43:3

And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother [be] with you.

Genesis 42:13

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.

Genesis 43:27

And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?