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Genesis 42:14 Then Joseph declared, "Just as I said, you are spies!
<!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 42:14 Then Joseph declared, "Just as I said, you are spies!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/42-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_42_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 42:14 - Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Joseph declared, Just as I said, you are spies!" /><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/42-14.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/42-14.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/42.htm">Chapter 42</a> > Verse 14</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="/ad14.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/42-13.htm" title="Genesis 42:13">◄</a> Genesis 42:14 <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm" title="Genesis 42:15">►</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/42.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/42.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Joseph insisted, “As I said, you are spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph declared, “Just as I said, you are spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto them, That <i>is it</i> that I spake unto you, saying, Ye <i>are</i> spies:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Joseph said to them, “It <i>is</i> as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You <i>are</i> spies!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to them, “I have spoken: ‘You are spies! ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph said to them, “I have spoken: ‘You are spies!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joseph replied: It's like I said. You're spies, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"It's just as I told you," Joseph said to them. "You're spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"It is just as I said," Joseph answered. "You are spies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"I'm right!" Joseph insisted. "Just as I said, you're spies! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joseph declared, ?Just as I said, you are spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Joseph told them, "It is just as I said to you: You are spies!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But Joseph said to them, "It is as I said to you, saying, 'You are spies.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph said to them, That is what I spoke to you, saying, Ye are spies:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joseph said to them, “It is like I told you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joseph says to them, “This [is] that which I have spoken to you, saying, You [are] spies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joseph saith unto them, 'This is that which I have spoken unto you, saying, Ye are spies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph will say to them, This which I spake to you, saying, Ye spying:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He saith: This is it that I said: You are spies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />He said: “This is just as I have said. You are scouts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“It is just as I said,” Joseph persisted; “you are spies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Joseph said to them, “It is just as I have said to you; you are spies!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joseph said to them, It is just as I said to you, you are spies:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Yoseph said to them, “It is what I said to you; you are spies!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joseph said unto them: 'That is it that I spoke unto you, saying: Ye are spies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joseph said to them, This is it that I spoke to you, saying, ye are spies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/42-14.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=10867" 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">13</span>But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.” <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><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.">Then Joseph</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></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/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">declared,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·bar·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">“Just as I said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7270.htm" title="7270: mə·rag·gə·lîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer; also to lead about.">are spies!</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.…<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/37-5.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/37-19.htm">Genesis 37:19-20</a></span><br />“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/37-26.htm">Genesis 37:26-28</a></span><br />Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. / So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-4.htm">Genesis 44:4-6</a></span><br />They had not gone far from the city when Joseph told his steward, “Pursue the men at once, and when you overtake them, ask, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? / Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’” / When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Genesis 44:14-17</a></span><br />When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. / “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?” / “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Genesis 45:3-5</a></span><br />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.<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/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="/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10</a></span><br />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/17-28.htm">1 Samuel 17:28</a></span><br />Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-11.htm">2 Kings 9:11</a></span><br />When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16-18</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. / But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-61</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-55.htm">Mark 14:55-59</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-31.htm">Luke 22:31-34</a></span><br />Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat. / But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” / “Lord,” said Peter, “I am ready to go with You even to prison and to death.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joseph said to them, That is it that I spoke to you, saying, You are spies:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-9.htm">Genesis 42:9-11</a></b></br> And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye <i>are</i> spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/13-24.htm">Job 13:24</a></b></br> Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-11.htm">Job 19:11</a></b></br> He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as <i>one of</i> his enemies.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/42-9.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/42-11.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/genesis/42-11.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/genesis/42-11.htm">Spies</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">Spies</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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>Then Joseph declared</b><br>Joseph, now the governor of Egypt, is in a position of authority and power. This moment is significant as it marks a turning point in the narrative of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph's declaration is not just a statement but a strategic move in his plan to test his brothers. His authority is reminiscent of the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (<a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a>), where his brothers would bow down to him. This phrase highlights Joseph's role as a leader and a type of Christ, who also speaks with authority and discernment.<p><b>“Just as I said</b><br>Joseph's words here are a reminder of his previous accusation against his brothers. This repetition serves to emphasize the seriousness of the charge and the tension in the narrative. It reflects the fulfillment of his earlier suspicions and the unfolding of God's providential plan. The phrase also underscores the theme of truth and revelation, as Joseph is in the process of revealing the true character and intentions of his brothers.<p><b>you are spies!</b><br>The accusation of being spies is a significant charge in the ancient Near Eastern context, where espionage was a common threat to national security. Joseph's brothers, coming from Canaan, would be viewed with suspicion in Egypt, especially during a time of famine. This accusation forces the brothers to defend themselves and reveal more about their family, setting the stage for Joseph's ultimate revelation of his identity. The charge of being spies also serves as a test of their integrity and repentance, paralleling the testing of believers' faith and character in the New Testament (<a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2-4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>The son of Jacob and Rachel, who was sold into slavery by his brothers and rose to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. In this passage, he is testing 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 have traveled to Egypt to buy grain. They do not recognize Joseph and are accused by him of being spies.<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 during a severe famine.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A widespread scarcity of food that has affected the land of Canaan, forcing Joseph's brothers to seek provisions in Egypt.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/accusation_of_spying.htm">Accusation of Spying</a></b><br>Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies as part of his strategy to test their character and intentions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_and_discernment.htm">Testing and Discernment</a></b><br>Joseph's accusation of his brothers as spies serves as a test of their character. In our lives, discernment is crucial in understanding the intentions of others and the situations we face.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite the brothers' past actions, God used the situation to fulfill His greater plan. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem unfavorable.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/forgiveness_and_reconciliation.htm">Forgiveness and Reconciliation</a></b><br>Joseph's journey with his brothers ultimately leads to forgiveness and reconciliation. We are called to forgive others, as God has forgiven us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The brothers' past sins have led to their current predicament. This reminds us that our actions have consequences, and repentance is necessary for healing and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_dynamics.htm">Family Dynamics</a></b><br>The account highlights complex family relationships and the potential for healing and restoration through God's grace.<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/genesis_48__ephraim_manasseh_tribal_fit.htm">Genesis 48 - How does the inclusion of Ephraim and Manasseh as tribes align with the tribal lists elsewhere in the Bible, and does it create any contradictions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_egypt's_governor_handle_food_sales.htm">Why would the governor of Egypt personally handle these seemingly minor food transactions without delegation (Genesis 42:6)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/jacob's_family_size_in_egypt.htm">How many people were in Jacob's family in Egypt? (Genesis 46:27 vs. Acts 7:14)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/generations_from_abraham_to_jesus.htm">How many generations from Abraham to Jesus? (Matthew 1:17 vs. Luke 3:23-38)</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>(14) <span class= "bld">That is it . . . --</span>Joseph persists in his charge, because, besides the information which he gained, he also wished to get Benjamin into his power, that he might have him with him. As for his brethren, he had probably as yet no settled purpose, but naturally he would feel great indignation at the treatment he had experienced at their hands, and might not be unwilling to give them some degree of punishment.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/42.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 14-16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joseph said unto them</span> (betraying his excitement in his language), <span class="cmt_word">That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies</span>. But Joseph knew by this time that they were not spies. Hence his persistent accusation of them, which to the brothers must have seemed despotic and tyrannical, and which cannot be referred to malevolence or revenge, must be explained by a desire on the part of Joseph to bring his brothers to a right state of mind. <span class="cmt_word">Hereby</span> (or in this) <span class="cmt_word">ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh</span> - literally, <span class="accented">life of Pharaoh</span> An Egyptian oath (LXX., Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Kalisch, Lange), in using which Joseph was not without blame, <span class="accented">aliquid</span> <span class="accented">esse fateor quod merito culpetur</span> (Calvin) though by some (Ainsworth, Wordsworth, Murphy, 'Speaker's Commentary') the expression is regarded simply as a strong asseveration (cf. <a href="/1_samuel/1-26.htm">1 Samuel 1:26</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">ye shall not go forth hence</span> (literally, <span class="accented">life of Pharaoh! if ye go from this</span>. The language is elliptical, meaning either, May Pharaoh perish if ye escape from punishment as spies, unless, etc.; or, As surely as Pharaoh lives, may retribution fall on me if ye go from this place) <span class="cmt_word">except your youngest brother come hither.</span> The condition, which must have appeared extremely frivolous to Joseph's brethren, was clearly designed to ascertain the truth about Benjamin. <span class="cmt_word">Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> the rest of you) <span class="cmt_word">shall be kept in prison</span> (literally, <span class="accented">shall be put in bonds</span>)<span class="accented">, <span class="cmt_word"></span>that your words may be proved</span> (literally, <span class="accented">and your words shall be proved</span>)<span class="cmt_word"></span>, <span class="accented">whether there be any truth in you; or else</span> (literally, <span class="accented">and if not</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies</span> - literally (<span class="accented">sc</span>. I swear), <span class="accented">that ye are spies.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-14.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">Then 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">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to them,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<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">“Just as I said,</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבַּ֧רְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(dib·bar·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתֶּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are spies!</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרַגְּלִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rag·gə·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7270.htm">Strong's 7270: </a> </span><span class="str2">To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/42-14.htm">Genesis 42:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/42-14.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:14 Joseph said to them It is like (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:15" /></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>