1
But the famine was very severe in the land.
2
And when the grain they had brought from Egypt was all eaten up, their father said to them, “Go again and buy us a little food.”
3
Then Judah answered him, “The man warned us solemnly: You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.
4
If you will let our brother go with us, we will go down and buy food for you.
5
But if you will not let him go, we will not go down, for the man said to us: You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.”
6
Then Israel said, “Why did you bring trouble on me by telling the man that you still had another brother?”
7
They answered, “The man asked us carefully about ourselves and about our family, saying: Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother? And we told him everything just as it was. How could we know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?”
8
Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, so that we may live and not die, both we and you and our little ones.
9
I will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then I shall bear the blame before you forever.
10
For if we had not delayed, surely by now we would have returned twice.”
11
Then Israel their father said to them, “If it must be so, do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags and carry them down to the man as a gift: a little balm and a little honey, gum resin and ladanum, pistachios and almonds.
12
Take double the money with you; and the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks, you must take back with you. Perhaps it was a mistake.
13
Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.
14
May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, so that he may send back your other brother and Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
15
So the men took the gift, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin also; and they arose and went down to Egypt. And they stood before Joseph.
16
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring these men into the house, slaughter an animal and prepare it, for these men will dine with me at noon today.”
17
And the man did as Joseph had said, and brought the men into Joseph’s house.
18
Then the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house. They said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are being brought in, so that he may attack us and seize us, and make us slaves and take our donkeys.”
19
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the doorway of the house:
20
“Please, sir, we came down here before to buy food,
21
but when we came to the lodging place and opened our sacks, there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, in full amount. But now we have brought it back.
22
We have also brought other money with us to buy food; we do not know who put our money into our sacks.”
23
But he said, “Peace to you; do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father have given you treasure in your sacks; I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24
When the man had brought them into Joseph’s house, he gave them water, so that they might wash their feet; and he gave fodder to their donkeys.
25
Then they prepared their gift, waiting for Joseph to come at noon, for they had heard that they were to eat there.
26
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house the gift that was with them and bowed down to him to the ground.
27
He asked them how they were, and said, “Is your aged father, of whom you spoke, well? Is he still alive?”
28
They answered, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.
29
When Joseph looked at them, he saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son!”
30
Then Joseph hurried out, for his heart was deeply moved for his brother, and he sought a place to weep; he went into his chamber and wept there.
31
Afterward he washed his face and came out. He restrained himself and said, “Serve the food.”
32
Then they set food before him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; for the Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews, because that was an abomination to the Egyptians.
33
And they sat before Joseph, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another in amazement.
34
Then portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table; but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.
🍽️👥 Summary of Genesis 43
Genesis 43 describes the second journey of Joseph’s brothers to Egypt, this time with Benjamin, after their food supply had run out. Joseph still concealed his identity, yet began to show his love in a personal way.
1. Famine Forces Jacob to Let Benjamin Go (verses 1–14)
- The grain supply from Egypt was gone, and Jacob was forced to allow Benjamin to go.
- Judah boldly guaranteed Benjamin’s safety, and showed his responsibility as a brother.
- Jacob yielded himself to God, saying:
“If I am to be bereaved of my children, then I am bereaved.” (verse 14)
2. Joseph’s Strange Welcome (verses 15–25)
- They returned to Egypt, and Joseph ordered them to eat in his house, a very surprising thing to them.
- The brothers feared that Joseph meant to trap them because of the money returned earlier.
- They tried to explain, but Joseph’s servant calmed them, saying that God was the one who returned the money.
3. An Emotional Meeting with Benjamin (verses 26–34)
- Joseph was deeply moved when he saw Benjamin, his full brother, and he nearly wept.
- He arranged their seats according to age order, leaving them astonished.
- Benjamin received a portion five times larger, as a sign of special favor.
- They ate and drank with Joseph in joy.
📖 Main Teaching
- Responsibility and courage emerge when crisis demands a change of heart (example: Judah).
- Sometimes God arranges a reunion for restoration, through difficult circumstances.
- True love can remain hidden yet work quietly.
- Joseph shows how to act wisely while still being full of love.
- Surrendering to God is an act of faith when hard choices come (such as Jacob letting Benjamin go).
✨ Spiritual Meaning
- Joseph teaches wisdom and love in the process of reconciliation: he did not reveal himself at once, but observed the change of heart in his brothers.
- There are moments when God begins to open the door to restoration — yet still asks us to trust and step forward first.
- Eating together portrays an early step toward peace — an early picture of Christ’s forgiveness.
