Genesis 42

Joseph's Brothers Go to Egypt

1 When a Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?" 2 And he said, "Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may b live and not die." 3 So Joseph's ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, c "Lest some calamity befall him." 5 And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was d in the land of Canaan.

6 Now Joseph was governor e over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and f bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as g a stranger to them and spoke 1 roughly to them. Then he said to them, "Where do you come from?" And they said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food." 8 So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 Then Joseph h remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the 2 nakedness of the land!" 10 And they said to him, "No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 "We are all one man's sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies."

12 But he said to them, "No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land." 13 And they said, "Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one i is no more." 14 But Joseph said to them, "It is as I spoke to you, saying, 'You are spies!' 15 "In this manner you shall be tested: j By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 "Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be 3 kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!" 17 So he 4 put them all together in prison k three days.

18 Then Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and live, l for I fear God: 19 "If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. 20 "And m bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, n "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; o therefore this distress has come upon us." 22 And Reuben answered them, saying, p "Did I not speak to you, saying, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now q required of us." 23 But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. 24 And he turned himself away from them and r wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took s Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 Then Joseph t gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to u restore every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. v Thus he did for them.

26 So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. 27 But as w one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. 28 So he said to his brothers, "My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!" Then their hearts 5 failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, "What is this that God has done to us?"

29 Then they went to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying: 30 "The man who is lord of the land x spoke 6 roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. 31 "But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies. 32 'We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.' 33 "Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, y 'By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. 34 'And bring your z youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may a trade in the land."'

35 Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly b each man's bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said to them, "You have c bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take d Benjamin. All these things are against me." 37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, "Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you." 38 But he said, "My son shall not go down with you, for e his brother is dead, and he is left alone. f If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would g bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave."

  1. Cross References
    Acts 7:12
    But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 43:8
    Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones.
    Psalms 33:18
    Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.
    Psalms 33:19
    To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
    Isaiah 38:1
    In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 42:38
    But he said, "My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 12:10
    Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.
    Genesis 26:1
    There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.
    Genesis 41:57
    So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.
    Acts 7:11
    Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 41:41
    And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.
    Genesis 41:55
    So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 37:7 - 10
    "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."
    Genesis 41:43
    And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt.
    Isaiah 60:14
    Also the sons of those who afflicted you Shall come bowing to you, And all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; And they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 45:1
    Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
    Genesis 45:2
    And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 37:5 - 9
    Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.
  9. Cross References
    Genesis 37:30
    And he returned to his brothers and said, "The lad is no more; and I, where shall I go?
    Genesis 42:32
    'We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father this day in the land of Canaan.'
    Genesis 44:20
    "And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'
    Lamentations 5:7
    Our fathers sinned and are no more, But we bear their iniquities.
  10. Cross References
    1 Samuel 1:26
    And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD.
    1 Samuel 17:55
    When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, "Abner, whose son is this youth?" And Abner said, "As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 40:4
    And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while.
    Genesis 40:7
    So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?
    Genesis 40:12
    And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 22:12
    And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, ...
    Genesis 39:9
    " There is no one greater in this house than I,...
    Exodus 1:17
    But the midwives feared God, and did not do as ...
    Leviticus 25:43
    You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you...
    Nehemiah 5:15
    But the former governors who were before me lai...
    Proverbs 1:7
    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowle...
    Proverbs 9:10
    The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom...
  13. Cross References
    Genesis 42:34
    'And bring your youngest brother to me; so I shall know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. I will grant your brother to you, and you may trade in the land."'
    Genesis 43:5
    "But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you."'
    Genesis 44:23
    "But you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.'
  14. Cross References
    Genesis 37:26 - 28
    So Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is ...
    Genesis 44:16
    Then Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord?...
    Genesis 45:3
    Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph;...
    Job 36:8
    And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the c...
    Job 36:9
    Then He tells them their work and their transgr...
    Hosea 5:15
    I will return again to My place Till they ackno...
  15. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:13
    Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
    Matthew 7:2
    For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 37:21
    But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, "Let us not kill him.
    Genesis 37:22
    And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him" - that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
    Genesis 37:29
    Then Reuben returned to the pit, and indeed Joseph was not in the pit; and he tore his clothes.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 9:5
    Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a recko...
    Genesis 9:6
    Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood sha...
    1 Kings 2:32
    So the LORD will return his blood on his head, ...
    2 Chronicles 24:22
    Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindne...
    Psalms 9:12
    When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He do...
    Luke 11:50
    That the blood of all the prophets which was sh...
    Luke 11:51
    From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zecharia...
  18. Cross References
    Genesis 43:30
    Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.
    Genesis 45:14
    Then he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.
    Genesis 45:15
    Moreover he kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.
  19. Cross References
    Genesis 34:25
    Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
    Genesis 34:30
    Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.
    Genesis 43:14
    "And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"
    Genesis 43:23
    But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
  20. Cross References
    Genesis 44:1
    And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack.
  21. Cross References
    Genesis 43:12
    Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 5:44
    But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
    Romans 12:20
    Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
    Romans 12:21
    Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
    1 Peter 3:9
    Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
  23. Cross References
    Genesis 43:21
    But it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.
    Genesis 43:22
    "And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 42:7
    Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, "Where do you come from?" And they said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food.
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 42:15
    In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
    Genesis 42:19
    If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.
    Genesis 42:20
    And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
  26. Cross References
    Genesis 42:20
    And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die." And they did so.
    Genesis 43:3
    But Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.
    Genesis 43:5
    "But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you."'
  27. Cross References
    Genesis 34:10
    "So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it."
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 43:12
    Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.
    Genesis 43:15
    So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.
    Genesis 43:21
    But it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.
  29. Cross References
    Genesis 43:14
    "And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"
  30. Cross References
    Genesis 35:18
    And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name BenOni; but his father called him Benjamin.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
    Romans 8:31
    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
  31. Cross References
    Genesis 37:22
    And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him" - that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
    Genesis 42:13
    And they said, "Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.
    Genesis 44:20
    "And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'
    Genesis 44:28
    And the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn to pieces"; and I have not seen him since.
  32. Cross References
    Genesis 42:4
    But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "Lest some calamity befall him.
    Genesis 44:29
    'But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'
  33. Cross References
    Genesis 37:35
    And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him.
    Genesis 44:31
    It will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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