Genesis 42:24
And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
And he turned himself about {H5437} from them, and wept {H1058}; and returned to them again {H7725}, and communed {H1696} with them, and took {H3947} from them Simeon {H8095}, and bound {H631} him before their eyes {H5869}.
Yosef turned away from them and wept; then he returned and spoke to them. He took Shim'on from among them and put him in prison before their eyes.
And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.
And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and he returned to them, and spake to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes.
Cross-References
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Genesis 43:30 (4 votes)
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought [where] to weep; and he entered into [his] chamber, and wept there. -
Isaiah 63:9 (2 votes)
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. -
Genesis 45:14 (2 votes)
And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. -
Genesis 45:15 (2 votes)
Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. -
Genesis 43:14 (2 votes)
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved [of my children], I am bereaved. -
1 Corinthians 12:26 (2 votes)
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. -
Hebrews 4:15 (2 votes)
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
Commentary
Genesis 42:24 captures a deeply emotional and strategic moment for Joseph, who, as the powerful governor of Egypt, is testing his brothers without revealing his true identity. His actions here underscore the complex blend of his personal feelings, his divine mission, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for his family.
Context
This verse occurs after Joseph, unrecognized by his brothers, has accused them of being spies and demanded they bring their youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt to prove their honesty. Moments before this verse, the brothers, speaking among themselves in Hebrew (which Joseph understood), acknowledged that their current hardship was a just punishment for their cruel treatment of Joseph years ago (Genesis 42:21). Hearing their remorse deeply affected Joseph, triggering the profound emotional response described here. His elaborate plan was not out of malice, but a divine strategy to test their character, bring them to repentance, and ultimately reunite his family during the severe famine that gripped the land.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew verb for "wept" (bāḵâ) denotes a deep, heartfelt crying, often associated with grief, sorrow, or overwhelming emotion. Joseph's tears were a complex mix: perhaps sorrow for the pain his family had endured, relief at seeing them again, and the weight of the years of separation and the strategy he had to employ. The phrase "communed with them" indicates he resumed speaking to them, likely in his assumed role as a harsh Egyptian official, maintaining the necessary distance for his plan to unfold.
Practical Application
Joseph's experience in Genesis 42:24 reminds us that leadership, even when guided by divine purpose, can involve immense personal cost and emotional struggle. It highlights that God often works through difficult circumstances and seemingly harsh tests to bring about His redemptive will. The story also underscores the importance of confronting past wrongs for true reconciliation to occur. Like Joseph, we are called to exercise both wisdom and compassion, trusting that God can work all things for good, even turning painful situations into opportunities for healing and restoration.
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