Genesis 43 Study Notes

43:1-10 Two years into the famine (cp. 45:6), Jacob’s family had used up the grain purchased by the brothers in Egypt. Jacob, as clan head, ordered nine of his sons to go back to Egypt and buy more food. Judah, Jacob’s fourth-born but still the most trusted of his older sons (34:30; 35:22), reminded his father that he must send Benjamin to Egypt in order for the family to buy food. In response Jacob, who was known for his deceptions (27:12-27), accused his sons (you [v. 6] is pl.) of causing much trouble by telling the Egyptian the truth. Judah finally convinced his father to let his sons go by using two things. First, his father’s own words: they must go so that we may live and not die (cp. 42:2), and second, his willingness to have Jacob hold him personally accountable for Benjamin’s well-being.

43:11-14 Jacob realized he had to send Benjamin to Egypt, but to increase the likelihood that his beloved son of Rachel would return safely, he directed his sons to give the Egyptian some of the best products associated with the land of Canaan. Likely hoping that his sons had not actually stolen the money, Jacob had them return the original money, taking twice as much silver as before. Finally, they were to travel with their brother Benjamin, accompanied by a prayer that God Almighty would secure the release of Simeon and Benjamin.

43:15-24 When the men returned to Joseph in Egypt, they were brought to Joseph’s own house. They feared they were about to be arrested and made slaves as punishment for taking their original grain money back to Canaan, but Joseph’s steward informed them that he had already received their silver. All seemed well as Simeon was brought out of prison to them, and they were given a traditional sign of hospitality—water to wash their feet (18:4; 19:2).

43:25-28 Learning that they were to eat the noon meal—the first meal of the day—with Joseph, the brothers prepared the food gift (v. 11) and then humbly presented it to Joseph (cp. 37:7,9). Then the powerful Egyptian asked them about their elderly father, eliciting a polite response and a second bowing to the ground.

43:29-31 Joseph confirmed the identity of his brother Benjamin, his mother’s only other son and therefore his only full brother. Joseph’s blessing on Benjamin in the name of God was the first time Joseph blessed one of his brothers. Though Joseph had been filled with emotion in the presence of his brothers earlier (42:24), the sight of Benjamin overwhelmed him. To retain his dignity he quickly went into an inner room and wept there. The fact that as an Egyptian official he was wearing eye makeup was probably in part why he washed his face before returning to the room.

43:32-34 Because of racial and cultural prejudice, the meal was served at two different tables. Food was first brought to Joseph and the rest of the Egyptians, who ate at one table, then portions were brought to the table of the Hebrews. As an indication of respect for seniority among these non-Egyptians, the brothers were seated from the firstborn to the youngest—a fact that created astonishment among them since it would have required a detailed knowledge of the family. Perhaps as a further test of the brothers, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the other brothers’. Joseph may have made sure they became drunk to loosen the brothers’ self-restraint; if they harbored any jealousy or hatred toward Benjamin, Rachel’s son, it would be more likely to show.