Genesis 43
34 verses
Genesis 43 records the second journey to Egypt, this time with Benjamin. The famine is severe enough that Jacob finally releases Benjamin, after Judah personally guarantees his safety — a striking moment, because Judah is the one who suggested selling Joseph. The brothers arrive before Joseph, who is overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of Benjamin and hurries to a private room to weep. He then hosts them for a meal, seating them in birth order — which astonishes them — and gives Benjamin five times as much as the others. The chapter shows a Joseph who is in control of the situation but is barely containing his emotion; reconciliation is close but not yet complete. It also shows a Judah who is beginning to take responsibility in ways he never did before. Jacob's reluctant release of Benjamin and Judah's personal guarantee anticipate the deeper intercession that will come in the next chapter. The God who provides through famine is also the God who uses famine to bring a family back together.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
And the famine was sore in the land.
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2
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
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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.
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4
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:
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5
But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
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6
And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
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7
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?
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8
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
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9
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
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10
For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
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11
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
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12
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
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13
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
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14
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.
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15
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
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16
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
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17
And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
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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.
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19
And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
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20
And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
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21
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
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22
And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
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23
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
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24
And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
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25
And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
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26
And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
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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?
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28
And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
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29
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
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30
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.
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31
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
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32
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
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33
And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
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34
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
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