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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Genesis 43 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></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="../cmenus/genesis/43.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="../topmenuchap/genesis/43-1.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="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Genesis 43</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></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/42.htm" title="Genesis 42">◄</a> Genesis 43 <a href="../genesis/44.htm" title="Genesis 44">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/genesis/43.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Preparing to Return to Egypt</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Meanwhile, the famine remained severe throughout the region. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>As a result, when Jacob’s family<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:2 Lit. As they">a</a></span> was beginning to eat the last of the grain that they had brought back from Egypt, their father Jacob<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:2 The Heb. lacks Jacob">b</a></span> told his sons, “Go back to Egypt and buy us some food.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>But Judah reminded him, “The man distinctly warned us: ‘You’ll never see my face unless your brother comes with you.’ <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>So if you send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy some food. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>But if you don’t send him, we’re not going, because the man told us, ‘You’ll never see my face unless your brother is with you.’”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Israel replied, “Why did you make all this trouble by telling the man that you have another brother?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>“The man specifically asked about us and our relatives,” they responded. “He asked us, ‘Is your father still alive?’ and ‘Do you have another brother?’ So we answered his questions. How could we have known that he would tell us to bring our brother back with us?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>“Send the young man with me,” Judah told his father Israel, “and we’ll get up and go so we can survive and not die—and that includes all of us, you and our families.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:8 Lit our defenseless ones; i.e. their wives and children">c</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>I’ll even offer myself to guarantee that I’ll be responsible for him. If I don’t bring him back and present him to you, I’ll personally bear the consequences forever. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>After all, if we hadn’t delayed, we could have been there and back<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:10 Lit. have returned">d</a></span> twice by now!”</p> <p class="heading">Jacob Gives Instructions for the Trip</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>“If that’s the way it has to be,” their father Israel replied, “then do this: take some of the best produce of the land in your containers and take them to the man as a gift—some resin ointment, some honey, fragrant resins, myrrh, pistachios, and almonds. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Also take twice as much money with you so you can return the money that had been replaced in the mouth of your sacks. Maybe it was an accounting<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:12 The Heb. lacks accounting">e</a></span> mistake on his part. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>And be sure to take your brother, too. So get up, return to the man, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>and may God Almighty cause the man to show compassion toward you. May he send all of you back, including your other brother and Benjamin. Now as for me, if I lose my children, I lose them.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>So the men took their gift and twice as much money, got up, took Benjamin with them, and set out for Egypt. Eventually they appeared before Joseph.</p> <p class="heading">Joseph Sees Benjamin</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>As soon as Joseph noticed that Benjamin had come with them, he ordered his palace manager, “Bring the men into the palace.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:16 Lit. house, and so through v. 26">f</a></span> Slaughter an animal and prepare it, because these men will be dining with me for lunch.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:16 Or me at midday; i.e. at noon">g</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>So the man did what Joseph had ordered, and brought the men to Joseph’s palace.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>The men were terrified as they were being taken to Joseph’s palace. “It’s because of that money that was returned to our sacks the first time we were brought to him,” they reasoned. “He’s seeking an excuse to attack us, enslave us, and confiscate our donkeys!”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>So they approached Joseph’s palace manager and talked with him at the palace entrance. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>“Your Excellency,” they said, “The first time we came here to buy food, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>when we arrived at our overnight lodging place, we opened our sacks and discovered each man’s money was still in the mouth of his sack. All of our money was there! We’ve brought it back with us in full. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>We’ve also brought along some more money to buy supplies, but we don’t know who put our money back into our sacks.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>“Relax,” the manager said. “You can stop being afraid, now. Your God, the God of your father, has placed hidden treasure within those sacks for you. I’ve been paid in full.” Then he brought Simeon out to them, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>ushered the men into Joseph’s palace, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:24 The Heb. lacks provided">h</a></span> fodder for their donkeys. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Then off he went to prepare the honorary meal that was to be made ready for Joseph’s arrival at noon, since they had been informed that they were going to be eating there.</p> <p class="heading">Joseph Inquires about His Family</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>When Joseph arrived at his palace, his brothers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:26 Lit. palace, they">i</a></span> brought to him their gifts that they had carried with them and bowed to the ground in front of him.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Joseph asked them how they had been doing. “Is your father well, the older gentleman about whom you spoke?” he inquired. “Is he still alive?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>“Your servant, our father, is doing well,” they replied. “He is still alive.” Then they bowed down in humility.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>As Joseph looked up and recognized his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother about whom you spoke to me?” And he addressed him directly, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:29 Or you, Benny; i.e., perhaps a nickname for Joseph’s brother Benjamin">j</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>At this, Joseph hurried out, deeply moved because of his brother, and looked for a place to weep by himself. He entered his personal quarters, wept there awhile,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:30 The Heb. lacks awhile">k</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>then washed his face and came out. Barely controlling himself, he ordered his staff to serve the meal.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Joseph’s staff<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:32 Lit. They">l</a></span> served him by himself, his brothers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:32 Lit. and them">m</a></span> separately, and the Egyptian staff members by themselves, because the Egyptians wouldn’t take their meal with the Hebrews, since doing so was detestable for the Egyptians. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Meanwhile, the brothers<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:33 Lit. they">n</a></span> were seated in front of Joseph in birth order, from firstborn to youngest. The men stared at one another in astonishment. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/43-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Joseph<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:34 Lit. He">o</a></span> himself brought portions to them from his own table, except that he provided to Benjamin five times as much as he did for each of the others. So they feasted together and drank freely with Joseph.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="43:34 Lit. him">p</a></span> </p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 43:2 Lit. <i>As they</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 43:2 The Heb. lacks <i>Jacob</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 43:8 Lit <i>our defenseless ones</i>; i.e. their wives and children<br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 43:10 Lit. <i>have returned</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 43:12 The Heb. lacks <i>accounting</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 43:16 Lit. <i>house</i>, and so through v. 26<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 43:16 Or <i>me at midday</i>; i.e. at noon<br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 43:24 The Heb. lacks <i>provided</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 43:26 Lit. <i>palace, they</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 43:29 Or <i>you, Benny</i>; i.e., perhaps a nickname for Joseph’s brother <i>Benjamin</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 43:30 The Heb. lacks <i>awhile</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 43:32 Lit. <i>They</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 43:32 Lit. <i>and them</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 43:33 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 43:34 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 43:34 Lit. <i>him</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../genesis/42.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../genesis/44.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 44"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 44" /></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/genesis/43-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>