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That is why this distress has come upon us."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/01_Gen_42_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:21 - Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then they said to one another, Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. 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We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that&#8217s why this distress has come on us.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a> Speaking among themselves, they said, “Clearly we are being punished because of what we did to Joseph long ago. We saw his anguish when he pleaded for his life, but we wouldn’t listen. That’s why we’re in this trouble.” <a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a> And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a> Then they said to one another, “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; therefore this distress has come upon us.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; for that reason this distress has happened to us.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then they said to one another, &#8220Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then they said to one another, “Surely we are guilty concerning our brother because we saw the distress of his soul when he begged us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” <a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty regarding our brother [Joseph], because we saw the distress and anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us [to let him go], yet we would not listen [to his cry]; so this distress and anguish has come on us.” <a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they said to each other, &#8220Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. <a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and said to one another, "We're being punished because of Joseph. We saw the trouble he was in, but we refused to help him when he begged us. That's why these terrible things are happening." <a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. <a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They said to each other, "We're surely being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw how troubled he was when he pleaded with us for mercy, but we wouldn't listen. That's why we're in trouble now." <a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a> and said to one another, "Yes, now we are suffering the consequences of what we did to our brother; we saw the great trouble he was in when he begged for help, but we would not listen. That is why we are in this trouble now." <a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a> "We're all guilty because of what we did to our brother!" they told each other. "We kept on watching his suffering while he pleaded with us! We're in this mess because we wouldn't listen!" <a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then they said to one another, ?Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.? <a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a> They said to one other, "Surely we're being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!" <a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then they said to one another, "We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we wouldn?t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us." <a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. <a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a> They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they say to one another, “Truly we [are] guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul, in his making supplication to us, and we did not listen: therefore this distress has come on us.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they say one unto another, 'Verily we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul, in his making supplication unto us, and we did not hearken: therefore hath this distress come upon us.' <a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will say, a man to his brother, Truly we guilty concerning our brother, when we saw the straits of his soul in his entreating us, and we heard him not; for this, these straits are come to us.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they talked one to another: We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother, seeing the anguished of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear: therefore is this affliction come upon us. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> and they spoke to one another: “We deserve to suffer these things, because we have sinned against our brother, seeing the anguish of his soul, when he begged us and we would not listen. For that reason, this tribulation has come upon us.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a> To one another, however, they said: “Truly we are being punished because of our brother. We saw the anguish of his heart when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen. That is why this anguish has now come upon us.” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They said to one another, “Alas, we are paying the penalty for what we did to our brother; we saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this anguish has come upon us.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they said one to another, Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not listen to him; therefore is this distress come upon us. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they said, each man to his brothers, “Truly we are condemned concerning our brother, for we did see the anxiety of his soul when he was making supplication to us and we did not listen to him, because of this, this distress has come upon us.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they said one to another: 'We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.' <a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And each said to his brother, Yes, indeed, for we are in fault concerning our brother, when we disregarded the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we hearkened not to him; and therefore has this affliction come upon us. <a href="/parallel/genesis/42-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10923" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a> …20Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented. 21<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then they said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</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/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">another,</a> <a href="/hebrew/61.htm" title="61: ’ă·ḇāl (Adv) -- Verily, of a truth. Apparently from 'abal through the idea of negation; nay, i.e. Truly or yet.">“Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">we</a> <a href="/hebrew/818.htm" title="818: ’ă·šê·mîm (Adj-mp) -- Guilty. From 'asham; guilty; hence, presenting a sin- offering.">are being punished</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">because of</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥî·nū (N-msc:: 1cp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">our brother.</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">We saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">his</a> <a href="/hebrew/6869.htm" title="6869: ṣā·raṯ (N-fsc) -- Tightness, a female rival. Feminine of tsar; tightness; transitively, a female rival.">anguish</a> <a href="/hebrew/2603.htm" title="2603: bə·hiṯ·ḥan·nōw (Prep-b:: V-Hitpael-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore.">when he pleaded</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- To, into, towards. ">with us,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but we would not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·mā·‘ə·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">listen.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">That is why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/6869.htm" title="6869: haṣ·ṣā·rāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Tightness, a female rival. Feminine of tsar; tightness; transitively, a female rival.">distress</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">has come</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- To, into, towards. ">upon us.”</a> 22And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/37-23.htm">Genesis 37:23-28</a> 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. / And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. ... <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18-21</a> Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. / “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. / “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” ... <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Genesis 37:31-33</a> Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. / They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” / His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” <a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Genesis 45:3-5</a> 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. / Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-21</a> 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. ... <a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9-10</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/27-3.htm">Matthew 27:3-4</a> When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. / “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Luke 23:34</a> Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Romans 12:19</a> Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” <a href="/hebrews/10-30.htm">Hebrews 10:30</a> For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">1 John 3:12</a> Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. <a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Psalm 105:17-19</a> He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, / until his prediction came true and the word of the LORD proved him right. <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13</a> He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. <a href="/hosea/5-15.htm">Hosea 5:15</a> Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” <a href="/zechariah/12-10.htm">Zechariah 12:10</a> Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they said one to another, We are truly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he sought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come on us.they said.<a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Genesis 41:9</a> Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:<a href="/numbers/32-23.htm">Numbers 32:23</a> But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.<a href="/2_samuel/12-13.htm">2 Samuel 12:13</a> And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.we saw.<a href="/genesis/37-23.htm">Genesis 37:23-28</a> And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; … <a href="/judges/1-7.htm">Judges 1:7</a> And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.<a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm">Proverbs 21:13</a> Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.this distress.<a href="/proverbs/1-27.htm">Proverbs 1:27,28</a> When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/16-10.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-19.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-3.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/genesis/35-3.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-7.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/genesis/35-18.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/genesis/38-26.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/6-9.htm">Anguish</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Begged</a> <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Besought</a> <a href="/numbers/25-17.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/genesis/43-9.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-23.htm">Pleaded</a> <a href="/genesis/44-30.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/exodus/31-13.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/genesis/42-22.htm">Wouldn't</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div>1. <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a> 24. <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</a> </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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then they said to one another This phrase indicates a moment of introspection and dialogue among Joseph's brothers. It reflects a communal acknowledgment of guilt and shared responsibility. In the broader narrative, this is a pivotal moment where the brothers begin to confront their past actions. This dialogue occurs during their first journey to Egypt to buy grain, highlighting the tension and fear they experience in a foreign land.Surely we are being punished because of our brother The brothers interpret their current predicament as divine retribution for their past sin against Joseph. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in divine justice, where wrongdoing inevitably leads to punishment. Their use of "our brother" shows a recognition of their familial bond, which they had previously disregarded. This moment foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and restoration of relationships within the family.We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us This phrase reveals the depth of Joseph's suffering and the brothers' awareness of it at the time of their betrayal. It underscores the cruelty of their actions, as they were not ignorant of his distress. The mention of Joseph's pleas adds emotional weight to the narrative, emphasizing the brothers' hard-heartedness. This detail is not mentioned in the original account of Joseph being sold into slavery, providing new insight into the event.but we would not listen This admission of willful ignorance highlights the brothers' moral failure. It serves as a reminder of the human tendency to ignore the suffering of others when it conflicts with personal desires or plans. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of listening and obedience, which is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.That is why this distress has come upon us The brothers attribute their current suffering to their past sin, recognizing a cause-and-effect relationship. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>. Their acknowledgment of distress as a consequence of sin is a step toward repentance and reconciliation. This moment of realization is crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Joseph, who is a type of Christ in his role as a savior for his family and the nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a> The sons of Jacob who sold Joseph into slavery. They are now in Egypt seeking grain during a famine. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The brother they sold into slavery, who has risen to power in Egypt unbeknownst to them. 3. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where Joseph has become a powerful leader and where his brothers have come to buy grain. 4. <a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a> A severe shortage of food that has affected the entire region, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt. 5. <a href="/topical/d/distress_and_guilt.htm">Distress and Guilt</a> The brothers' realization of their past sin against Joseph, which they believe is causing their current troubles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_unconfessed_sin.htm">The Weight of Unconfessed Sin</a> Unconfessed sin can weigh heavily on our conscience, as seen in the brothers' guilt over their actions against Joseph. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a> True repentance involves acknowledging our wrongs and seeking to make amends, as the brothers begin to do. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Trials</a> God can use our trials to bring us to a place of repentance and restoration, as He did with Joseph's brothers. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_conscience.htm">The Power of Conscience</a> Our conscience can serve as a guide to lead us back to God and to right relationships with others. <a href="/topical/r/reaping_what_we_sow.htm">Reaping What We Sow</a> Our actions have consequences, and we often face the results of our past decisions, as illustrated by the brothers' distress.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a> <a href="/q/can_christians_experience_depression.htm">Can Christians experience depression?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_joseph's_claim_affect_free_will.htm">How does Joseph’s claim that God orchestrated his enslavement (Genesis 45:5,8) reconcile with human free will and moral responsibility? </a> <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> <a href="/q/what_is_confessing_sin_to_someone.htm">What does confessing sin against someone mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/42.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) We are verily guilty.--They had evidently expected that whatever suspicions might be aroused by their first appearance, all such ideas would disappear upon their explanation of themselves and their purpose. Instead of this they are thrown into prison, abandoned to their reflections for three days, and dismissed only upon the condition of their leaving one brother as a hostage for their coming again accompanied by Benjamin: and as they knew no reason for this, it would fill their minds with fear. But though they were now suffering unjustly, it brought back to their mind their former sin; and the fact that it was so fresh in their memories is a sign of the reality of their repentance.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - And they said one to another (Joseph's treatment of them beginning by this time to produce its appropriate and designed result by recalling them to a sense of their former guilt), We are verily guilty - "this is the only acknowledgment of sin in the Book of Genesis" (Inglis) - concerning our brother. They had been guilty of many sins, but the special iniquity of which their reception by the Egyptian governor had reminded them was that which some twenty years before they had perpetrated against their own brother. Indeed the accusation preferred against them that they were spies, the apparent unwillingness of the viceroy to listen to their request for food, and their subsequent incarceration, though innocent of any offence, were all calculated to recall to their recollection successive steps in their inhuman treatment of Joseph. In that (or because) we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us (literally, in his beseeching of us, an incident which the narrator omits to mention; but which the guilty consciences of the brethren remember), and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. The retributive character of their sufferings, which they cannot fail to perceive, they endeavor to express by employing the same word, עָרַח, to describe Joseph's anguish and their distress. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then they said וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to one אִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person another, אָחִ֗יו (’ā·ḥîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) “Surely אֲבָל֮ (’ă·ḇāl) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_61.htm">Strong's 61: </a> Verily, of a truth we אֲנַחְנוּ֮ (’ă·naḥ·nū) Pronoun - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> We are being punished אֲשֵׁמִ֣ים ׀ (’ă·šê·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_818.htm">Strong's 818: </a> Guilty, presenting a, sin-offering because of עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against our brother. אָחִינוּ֒ (’ā·ḥî·nū) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) We saw רָאִ֜ינוּ (rā·’î·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see his נַפְשׁ֛וֹ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion anguish צָרַ֥ת (ṣā·raṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6869.htm">Strong's 6869: </a> Tightness, a female rival when he pleaded בְּהִתְחַֽנְנ֥וֹ (bə·hiṯ·ḥan·nōw) Preposition-b | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2603.htm">Strong's 2603: </a> To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore with us, אֵלֵ֖ינוּ (’ê·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to but we would not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no listen. שָׁמָ֑עְנוּ (šā·mā·‘ə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently That is why עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against this הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, distress הַצָּרָ֖ה (haṣ·ṣā·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6869.htm">Strong's 6869: </a> Tightness, a female rival has come בָּ֣אָה (bā·’āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go upon us.? אֵלֵ֔ינוּ (’ê·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:21 They said one to another We (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:22" /></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>