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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 43:33 They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/43-33.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_43_33.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 43:33 - Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/43-33.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/43-33.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/43.htm">Chapter 43</a> > Verse 33</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/43-32.htm" title="Genesis 43:32">◄</a> Genesis 43:33 <a href="/genesis/43-34.htm" title="Genesis 43:34">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/43.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/43.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/43.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them according to age, from oldest to youngest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/43.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. And the men looked at one another in amazement.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/43.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/43.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/43.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/43.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now they were seated before him, from the firstborn according to his birthright to the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now they were seated before him, the first-born according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/43.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/43.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Joseph’s brothers were seated [by the steward] before him [in the order of their birth]—the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another in astonishment [because so much was known about them].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/43.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were seated before him in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/43.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were seated before him in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/43.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one with another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/43.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />To the surprise of Joseph's brothers, they were seated in front of him according to their ages, from the oldest to the youngest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/43.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one with another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/43.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The brothers were seated facing him according to their ages-from the oldest to the youngest. They looked at each other in amazement.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/43.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The brothers had been seated at the table, facing Joseph, in the order of their age from the oldest to the youngest. When they saw how they had been seated, they looked at one another in amazement. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/43.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the brothers were seated in front of Joseph in birth order, from firstborn to youngest. The men stared at one another in astonishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/43.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/43.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They sat before him, arranged by order of birth, beginning with the firstborn and ending with the youngest. The men looked at each other in astonishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/43.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at each other with amazement.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/43.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birth-right, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men wondered one at another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/43.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled with one another. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/43.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they sit before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the young one according to his youth, and the men wonder one at another;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/43.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they sit before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the young one according to his youth, and the men wonder one at another;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/43.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will set before him, the first-born, according to his seniority, and the small according to his minority: and the men will wonder each at his friend.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/43.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his age. And they wondered very much: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/43.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his state of life. And they wondered exceedingly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/43.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When they were seated before him according to their age, from the oldest to the youngest, they looked at one another in amazement;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/43.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, the men looked at one another in amazement.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/43.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another and marveled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/43.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were seated before him, the elder according to his age, and the younger according to his youth; and the men marveled, each man with his fellow.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/43.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marvelled one with another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/43.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they sat before him, the first-born according to his seniority, and the younger according to his youth; and the men looked with amazement every one at his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/43-33.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=11388" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/43.htm">Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them. <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šə·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">They were seated</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/1062.htm" title="1062: kiḇ·ḵō·rā·ṯōw (Prep-k:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- The right of first- born. Or bkorah; feminine of bkowr; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture.">in order by age,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6812.htm" title="6812: kiṣ·‘i·rā·ṯōw (Prep-k:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Youth. Feminine of tsa'iyr; smallness, i.e. Juvenility."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1060.htm" title="1060: hab·bə·ḵōr (Art:: N-ms) -- First-born. From bakar; firstborn; hence, chief.">from the firstborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/6810.htm" title="6810: wə·haṣ·ṣā·‘îr (Conj-w, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Little, insignificant, young. Or tsanowr; from tsa'ar; little; few; young, ignoble.">to the youngest,</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: hā·’ă·nā·šîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">and the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">looked at</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">another</a> <a href="/hebrew/8539.htm" title="8539: way·yiṯ·mə·hū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To be astounded or dumbfounded. A primitive root; to be in consternation.">in astonishment.</a> </span><span class="reftext">34</span>When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3-4</a></span><br />Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-23.htm">Genesis 37:23-24</a></span><br />So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— / and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Genesis 42:6-7</a></span><br />Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Genesis 44:12-13</a></span><br />The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest—and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. / Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-1.htm">Genesis 45:1-3</a></span><br />Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. / Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-21</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8-10</a></span><br />Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-13</a></span><br />And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-13.htm">1 Samuel 17:13-14</a></span><br />The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. / And David was the youngest. The three oldest had followed Saul,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">1 Kings 2:19</a></span><br />So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16-22</a></span><br />He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a></span><br />Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him / and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Romans 8:28</a></span><br />And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-13</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a></span><br />But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/22-5.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Amazement</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Astonishment</a> <a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Marveled</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-10.htm">Marvelled</a> <a href="/genesis/27-32.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Order</a> <a href="/genesis/38-14.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/revelation/11-16.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Wonder</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Wondered</a> <a href="/genesis/43-29.htm">Youngest</a> <a href="/genesis/43-8.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/leviticus/27-3.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Amazement</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Astonishment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/genesis/46-8.htm">Firstborn</a> <a href="/genesis/46-8.htm">First-Born</a> <a href="/matthew/8-10.htm">Marveled</a> <a href="/psalms/48-5.htm">Marvelled</a> <a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Oldest</a> <a href="/genesis/45-11.htm">Order</a> <a href="/genesis/48-2.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Seated</a> <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Seats</a> <a href="/exodus/7-9.htm">Wonder</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-59.htm">Wondered</a> <a href="/genesis/44-2.htm">Youngest</a> <a href="/genesis/44-22.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 43</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-15.htm">Joseph entertains his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">They discover their fears to the steward.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Joseph makes them a feast.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Joseph's ability to seat his brothers according to their birth order would have been surprising, as they had not disclosed this information. This act demonstrates Joseph's knowledge and authority, hinting at his true identity. It also reflects the divine wisdom given to Joseph, reminiscent of God's omniscience. The order by age underscores the importance of birthright and lineage in biblical narratives, as seen in the stories of Esau and Jacob (<a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Genesis 25:29-34</a>).<p><b>from the firstborn to the youngest</b><br>The emphasis on birth order highlights the cultural significance of the firstborn's rights and responsibilities, which included leadership and a double portion of inheritance (<a href="/deuteronomy/21-17.htm">Deuteronomy 21:17</a>). This arrangement foreshadows the eventual revelation of Joseph's identity and the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a>), where his brothers would bow to him. The mention of the youngest, Benjamin, is significant as he is Joseph's full brother, and his presence is crucial for the unfolding of Joseph's plan to test his brothers' integrity and repentance.<p><b>and the men looked at one another in astonishment</b><br>The brothers' astonishment reveals their lack of understanding of the situation and their ignorance of Joseph's identity. This moment of surprise is a turning point, as it begins to unravel the mystery surrounding the Egyptian ruler's actions. Their reaction can be seen as a moment of divine intervention, where God orchestrates events to bring about reconciliation and fulfillment of His promises. This astonishment also parallels the disciples' reactions to Jesus' actions and teachings, which often left them in awe and wonder (<a href="/mark/4-41.htm">Mark 4:41</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>- The governor of Egypt, who is actually the brother of the men seated before him. He orchestrates the seating arrangement to test his brothers.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>- The sons of Jacob, who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. They are unaware that the Egyptian official before them is their brother Joseph.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>- The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to seek food.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/seating_arrangement.htm">Seating Arrangement</a></b><br>- Joseph arranges his brothers by age, which astonishes them, as they do not know how he could have known their birth order.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/astonishment.htm">Astonishment</a></b><br>- The brothers' reaction to being seated in their exact birth order, which hints at Joseph's true identity and divine insight.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_providence.htm">Divine Providence</a></b><br>God's hand is evident in the details of our lives, just as He orchestrated the events in Joseph's life for a greater purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/recognition_of_god's_work.htm">Recognition of God's Work</a></b><br>Like Joseph's brothers, we may not always recognize God's work in our lives immediately. We should remain open to seeing His hand in unexpected ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_reconciliation.htm">Family Reconciliation</a></b><br>Joseph's account is one of eventual reconciliation. We should seek to mend broken relationships, trusting God to guide the process.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_and_submission.htm">Humility and Submission</a></b><br>The brothers' astonishment can remind us of the importance of humility and submission to God's plans, even when they are beyond our understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a></b><br>The precise seating arrangement reflects God's perfect timing and order. We should trust in His timing for our lives, even when it seems mysterious.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_43.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 43</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_genesis_44_align_with_earlier_chapters.htm">How do the events in Genesis 44 fit coherently with earlier chapters in Genesis, given the discrepancies in character motivations and the sudden moral tension introduced by Joseph's actions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob_and_esau_reconcile_quickly.htm">How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_33_15-16_compare_to_dream_research.htm">In Job 33:15-16, how does the claim that God instructs people through dreams hold up against modern psychological research on dreaming?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_genesis_43_details_match_history.htm">(Genesis 43) Do the narrative details and timelines align with any reliable extra-biblical sources or known historical events in Egypt and Canaan?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/43.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(33) <span class= "bld">They sat.</span>--The Egyptians are always represented on the monuments as sitting at their meals. For the Hebrew custom see Note on <a href="/genesis/27-19.htm" title="And Jacob said to his father, I am Esau your first born; I have done according as you bade me: arise, I pray you, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.">Genesis 27:19</a>. The brethren, on finding themselves placed according to their age, must have supposed that Joseph possessed powers of divination, especially as the giving of due precedence was and is looked upon in the East as a matter of high importance.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/43.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they sat before him</span>, - that the Egyptians sat at meals is in exact accordance With the representations on the monuments, in which they are never exhibited as reposing on couches, but always as seated round a circular table resembling the <span class="accented">mono</span>-<span class="accented">podium</span> of the Romans (vide Wilkinson, 'Ancient Egyptians,' vol. 2. pp. 40, 41, with Dr. Bitch's note; Hengetenberg's 'Egypt and the Books of Moses,' <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>. p. 38) - <span class="cmt_word">the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another</span> - probably thinking that Joseph must have been supernaturally enlightened to discover so exactly the ages of strangers. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/43-33.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They were seated</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּשְׁב֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šə·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before him</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנָ֔יו</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in order by age,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּבְכֹ֣רָת֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(kiḇ·ḵō·rā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1062.htm">Strong's 1062: </a> </span><span class="str2">The firstling of man, beast, primogeniture</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the firstborn</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּכֹר֙</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·ḵōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1060.htm">Strong's 1060: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firstborn, chief</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the youngest,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַצָּעִ֖יר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·haṣ·ṣā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6810.htm">Strong's 6810: </a> </span><span class="str2">Little, insignificant, young</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the men</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">looked at</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">each</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">other</span><br /><span class="heb">רֵעֵֽהוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in astonishment.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְמְה֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·mə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8539.htm">Strong's 8539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be astounded or dumbfounded</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/43-33.htm">Genesis 43:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/43-33.htm">OT Law: Genesis 43:33 They sat before him the firstborn according (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/43-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 43:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/43-34.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 43:34"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:34" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>