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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 42:23 They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/01_Gen_42_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:23 - Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them." /><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'; 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for he spake unto them by an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But they did not know that Joseph understood <i>them,</i> for he spoke to them through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now they did not know that Joseph was listening, for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They did not know that Joseph understood [their conversation], because he spoke to them through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They did not know that Joseph could understand them, since he was speaking through an interpreter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They didn't know that Joseph could understand them, because he was speaking through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joseph understood what they said, but they did not know it, because they had been speaking to him through an interpreter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, they had no idea that Joseph could understand them, since he was talking to them through an interpreter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />(Now they did not know that Joseph could understand them, for he was speaking through an interpreter.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now they did not know that Joseph could understand them, since he was speaking through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they have not known that Joseph understands, for the interpreter [is] between them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they have not known that Joseph understandeth, for the interpreter is between them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will not know that Joseph heard them, for an interpreter between them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they knew not that Joseph understood, because he spoke to them by an interpreter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But they did not know that Joseph understood, because he was speaking to them through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They did not know that Joseph understood them, since he spoke with them through an interpreter.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they did not know that Joseph understood them; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were not aware that Yoseph heard, because an interpreter was standing among them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for the interpreter was between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/42-23.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=10945" 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/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>And 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!” <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">realize</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3130.htm" title="3130: yō·w·sêp̄ (N-proper-ms) -- Future of yacaph; let him add; Joseph, the name of seven Israelites.">Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šō·mê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">understood them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">since</a> <a href="/hebrew/3887.htm" title="3887: ham·mê·lîṣ (Art:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, i.e. To scoff; hence to interpret, or intercede.">there was an interpreter</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bê·nō·ṯām (Prep:: 3mp) -- An interval, space between. ">between them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.…<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/45-1.htm">Genesis 45:1-5</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/50-19.htm">Genesis 50:19-21</a></span><br />But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? / As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. / Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.<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="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a></span><br />Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">Genesis 41:39-44</a></span><br />Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. / You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” / Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-18</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="/acts/7-13.htm">Acts 7:13</a></span><br />On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Genesis 37:18-28</a></span><br />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!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-14.htm">Genesis 45:14-15</a></span><br />Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced. / Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-24.htm">Genesis 50:24-25</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” / And Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath and said, “God will surely attend to you, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Matthew 5:44</a></span><br />But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">Genesis 41:51-52</a></span><br />Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” / And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-7.htm">Genesis 45:7-8</a></span><br />God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. / Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-2.htm">Genesis 39:2-4</a></span><br />And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. / When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, / Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spoke to them by an interpreter.</p><p class="hdg">he spake unto them by a interpreter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Genesis 42:24</a></b></br> And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">Genesis 43:19</a></b></br> And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13,14</a></b></br> Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, <i>that</i> shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/5-20.htm">2 Corinthians 5:20</a></b></br> Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech <i>you</i> by us: we pray <i>you</i> in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/genesis/28-16.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/genesis/40-23.htm">However</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Interpreter</a> <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/11-9.htm">Language</a> <a href="/revelation/3-17.htm">Realize</a> <a href="/genesis/41-39.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/genesis/41-15.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-16.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/genesis/31-15.htm">Using</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/44-16.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">Conscious</a> <a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">However</a> <a href="/job/33-23.htm">Interpreter</a> <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-49.htm">Language</a> <a href="/exodus/10-7.htm">Realize</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-6.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/exodus/10-7.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-8.htm">Understandeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Understood</a> <a href="/exodus/22-18.htm">Using</a> <a href="/genesis/43-7.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</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'; </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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>They did not realize that Joseph understood them</b><br>Joseph's brothers were unaware that he could understand their conversation. This highlights the dramatic irony in the narrative, as the brothers are oblivious to Joseph's true identity. Joseph, having lived in Egypt for many years, would have been fluent in the Egyptian language, but he was also still proficient in Hebrew, his native tongue. This situation underscores the theme of hidden identity and revelation, which is prevalent throughout Joseph's story. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's hidden plans being revealed in due time, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/esther/6.htm">Esther 6:1-3</a>, where God's providence is unveiled.<p><b>since there was an interpreter between them</b><br>The presence of an interpreter suggests the formal and official nature of the encounter, as Joseph was the governor of Egypt. This detail emphasizes the cultural and linguistic barriers that existed between the Hebrews and Egyptians. It also serves to maintain Joseph's disguise, allowing him to gather information from his brothers without revealing his identity. The use of an interpreter can be seen as a metaphor for the barriers that sin creates between humanity and God, which are ultimately bridged by Christ, the ultimate mediator (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). The interpreter's role here is crucial in maintaining the suspense and tension of the narrative, as Joseph's brothers are unaware of the true dynamics at play.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. In this passage, he is interacting with his brothers who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a famine.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>The sons of Jacob who come to Egypt seeking food. They do not recognize Joseph and are unaware that he understands their language.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/interpreter.htm">Interpreter</a></b><br>A person who translates between languages. In this context, the interpreter is used by Joseph to conceal his understanding of his brothers' language.<br><br>4. <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 buy grain.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A severe shortage of food that has affected the region, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_providence.htm">God's Sovereignty and Providence</a></b><br>Joseph's ability to understand his brothers without their knowledge demonstrates God's hand in orchestrating events for His purposes. Even in difficult circumstances, God is in control and working for the good of His people.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reconciliation.htm">The Importance of Reconciliation</a></b><br>This passage sets the stage for the eventual reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. It reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and healing broken relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_understanding_and_communication.htm">The Power of Understanding and Communication</a></b><br>Joseph's understanding of his brothers' language without their knowledge highlights the importance of communication and the potential for misunderstanding. It encourages us to seek clarity and understanding in our interactions with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_unlikely_circumstances.htm">God's Use of Unlikely Circumstances</a></b><br>Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership in Egypt shows how God can use unlikely and challenging circumstances to fulfill His plans. This encourages us to trust God in our own difficult situations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_effectively_share_the_gospel.htm">Is wealth and fame appropriate for Christians?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_didn't_joseph's_brothers_know_him.htm">How could Joseph’s brothers fail to recognize him after only about two decades (Genesis 42:7–8)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_joseph's_influence_in_egypt.htm">In Psalm 81:4–5, how can we verify historically or archaeologically that Joseph held influence in Egypt and that a new language was heard? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_suffer_harm.htm">How does Proverbs 12:21, declaring no harm befalls the righteous, hold up when many faithful people throughout biblical and modern times have endured great suffering and tragedy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they knew not</span> (while they talked in what they imagined to be a foreign dialect to the Egyptian viceroy) <span class="cmt_word">that Joseph understood them;</span> - literally, <span class="accented">heard</span> (so as to understand what was said) <span class="cmt_word">- for he spake unto them by an interpreter</span> - literally, <span class="accented">for the interpreter</span>. (<span class="hebrew">חַמְּלִיצ</span>, the hiph. part., with the art., of <span class="hebrew">לוּצ</span>, to speak barbarously, in the hiph. to act as an interpreter), <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the official Court interpreter, <span class="greek">ἑρμηνευτής</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">was between them</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-23.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</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהֵם֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">realize</span><br /><span class="heb">יָֽדְע֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Joseph</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹסֵ֑ף</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·sêp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3130.htm">Strong's 3130: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">understood them,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֖עַ</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there was an interpreter</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֵּלִ֖יץ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mê·lîṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3887.htm">Strong's 3887: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between them.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּינֹתָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bê·nō·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interval, space between</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/42-23.htm">Genesis 42:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/42-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:23 They didn't know that Joseph understood them (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:24" /></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>