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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 43:34 When the portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/43-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_43_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 43:34 - Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times larger than any of the others. 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So they feasted and drank freely with him. <a href="/nlt/genesis/43.htm">New Living Translation</a> And Joseph filled their plates with food from his own table, giving Benjamin five times as much as he gave the others. So they feasted and drank freely with him. <a href="/esv/genesis/43.htm">English Standard Version</a> Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. <a href="/bsb/genesis/43.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph. <a href="/kjv/genesis/43.htm">King James Bible</a> And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/43.htm">New King James Version</a> Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/43.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank freely with him. <a href="/nasb/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1995</a> He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin&#8217s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he took portions to them from his own table; but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him. <a href="/lsb/genesis/43.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times greater than any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him. <a href="/amp/genesis/43.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Joseph selected and sent portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely and celebrated with him. <a href="/csb/genesis/43.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank and became drunk with Joseph. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/43.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Portions were served to them from Joseph&#8217s table, and Benjamin&#8217s portion was five times larger than any of theirs. They drank, and they got intoxicated with Joseph. <a href="/asv/genesis/43.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/cev/genesis/43.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They were served food from Joseph's table, and Benjamin was given five times as much as each of the others. So Joseph's brothers ate and drank with him and had a good time. <a href="/erv/genesis/43.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/gwt/genesis/43.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Joseph had portions of food brought to them from his table, but Benjamin's portion was five times more than any of the others. So they ate and drank with Joseph until they were drunk. <a href="/gnt/genesis/43.htm">Good News Translation</a> Food was served to them from Joseph's table, and Benjamin was served five times as much as the rest of them. So they ate and drank with Joseph until they were drunk. <a href="/isv/genesis/43.htm">International Standard Version</a> Joseph 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. <a href="/msb/genesis/43.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the portions were served to them from Joseph?s table, Benjamin?s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph. <a href="/net/genesis/43.htm">NET Bible</a> He gave them portions of the food set before him, but the portion for Benjamin was five times greater than the portions for any of the others. They drank with Joseph until they all became drunk. <a href="/nheb/genesis/43.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then he gave portions to them in front of him, but Benjamin?s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank until they all became drunk. <a href="/wbt/genesis/43.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he took and sent messes to them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/web/genesis/43.htm">World English Bible</a> He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/43.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he lifts up gifts from before him to them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, indeed, they drink abundantly with him. <a href="/ylt/genesis/43.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he lifteth up gifts from before him unto them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, yea, they drink abundantly with him. <a href="/slt/genesis/43.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will take gifts from before him to them: and Benjamin's gift will increase above all their gifts, five parts. And they will drink and be intoxicated with him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/43.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/43.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> taking the portions that they received from him. And the greater portion went to Benjamin, so much so that it exceeded five parts. And they drank and became inebriated along with him. <a href="/nabre/genesis/43.htm">New American Bible</a> and as portions were brought to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as large as anyone else’s. So they drank freely and made merry with him. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/43.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/43.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the servants took portions to them from before Joseph; but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/43.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they took a portion for themselves from before him, and the portion of Benyamin was greater than the portion of all their five portions, and they drank and they became drunk with him. <div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/43.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And portions were taken unto them from before him; but Benjamin's portion was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. <a href="/sep/genesis/43.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they took their portions from him to themselves; but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as the portions of the others. And they drank and were filled with drink with him. <a href="/parallel/genesis/43-34.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=11397" 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/43.htm">Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers</a> …33They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. 34<a href="/hebrew/4864.htm" title="4864: maś·’ōṯ (N-fpc) -- An uprising, utterance, burden, portion. ">When the portions</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·śā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">were served</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to them</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">from Joseph’s table,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1144.htm" title="1144: bin·yā·min (N-proper-ms) -- From ben and yamiyn; son of right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory.">Benjamin’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/4864.htm" title="4864: mim·maś·’ōṯ (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- An uprising, utterance, burden, portion. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4864.htm" title="4864: maś·’aṯ (N-fsc) -- An uprising, utterance, burden, portion. ">portion</a> <a href="/hebrew/2568.htm" title="2568: ḥā·mêš (Number-fs) -- Five. Masculine chamishshah; a primitive numeral; five.">was five</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">times</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: wat·tê·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">larger than</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kul·lām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">any of the others.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: way·yiš·tū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">So they feasted</a> <a href="/hebrew/7937.htm" title="7937: way·yiš·kə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or influence.">and drank freely</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with Joseph.</a> <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/45-22.htm">Genesis 45:22</a> He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. <a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3</a> Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Genesis 44:1-2</a> Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack. / Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed. <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">Genesis 42:25</a> Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out, <a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">1 Samuel 1:5</a> But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. <a href="/1_samuel/9-22.htm">1 Samuel 9:22-24</a> Then Samuel took Saul and his servant, brought them into the hall, and seated them in the place of honor among those who were invited—about thirty in all. / And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to set aside.” / So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, “Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day. <a href="/2_samuel/11-8.htm">2 Samuel 11:8</a> Then he said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him. <a href="/2_samuel/12-4.htm">2 Samuel 12:4</a> Now a traveler came to the rich man, who refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for his guest.” <a href="/esther/1-7.htm">Esther 1:7</a> Beverages were served in an array of goblets of gold, each with a different design, and the royal wine flowed freely, according to the king’s bounty. <a href="/esther/2-18.htm">Esther 2:18</a> Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty. <a href="/nehemiah/8-10.htm">Nehemiah 8:10</a> Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” <a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Proverbs 31:6-7</a> Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. / Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:7</a> Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works: <a href="/isaiah/25-6.htm">Isaiah 25:6</a> On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all the peoples, a feast of aged wine, of choice meat, of finely aged wine. <a href="/luke/15-22.htm">Luke 15:22-24</a> But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. / Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. / For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he took and sent messes to them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.messes.<a href="/2_samuel/11-8.htm">2 Samuel 11:8</a> And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.was five times.<a href="/genesis/45-22.htm">Genesis 45:22</a> To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.<a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">1 Samuel 1:5</a> But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.<a href="/1_samuel/9-22.htm">1 Samuel 9:22-24</a> And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons… were merry.<a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Proverbs 31:6</a> Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:7</a> Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.<a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:19</a> A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/43-29.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-10.htm">Benjamin's</a> <a href="/genesis/27-25.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Else's</a> <a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Feasted</a> <a href="/genesis/25-7.htm">Five</a> <a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/genesis/41-40.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/genesis/43-22.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/43-30.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/43-30.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Lifteth</a> <a href="/revelation/11-10.htm">Merry</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-8.htm">Mess</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Portions</a> <a href="/genesis/43-32.htm">Served</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-2.htm">Table</a> <a href="/genesis/34-28.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/genesis/43-10.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Benjamin</a> <a href="/genesis/44-12.htm">Benjamin's</a> <a href="/exodus/24-11.htm">Drank</a> <a href="/ruth/2-22.htm">Else's</a> <a href="/job/1-4.htm">Feasted</a> <a href="/genesis/45-6.htm">Five</a> <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Food</a> <a href="/leviticus/7-16.htm">Freely</a> <a href="/exodus/23-8.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/genesis/48-19.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/genesis/46-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Joseph</a> <a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Joseph's</a> <a href="/leviticus/9-22.htm">Lifteth</a> <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Merry</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-8.htm">Mess</a> <a href="/genesis/47-22.htm">Portion</a> <a href="/leviticus/6-12.htm">Portions</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Served</a> <a href="/exodus/25-23.htm">Table</a> <a href="/exodus/29-9.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/genesis/49-1.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 43</div>1. <a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.</a> 15. <a href="/genesis/43-15.htm">Joseph entertains his brothers.</a> 19. <a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">They discover their fears to the steward.</a> 26. <a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Joseph makes them a feast.</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/43.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/43.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table In ancient Near Eastern culture, sharing a meal was a sign of fellowship and acceptance. Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian official, extends this gesture to his brothers, indicating a shift from their previous estrangement. The act of serving from Joseph's table signifies his authority and generosity. This moment foreshadows the reconciliation and restoration of familial relationships, reminiscent of the prodigal son’s feast in <a href="/luke/15-22.htm">Luke 15:22-24</a>.Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others The number five in biblical numerology often symbolizes grace. Benjamin, Joseph's full brother, receives a portion five times larger, highlighting Joseph's special affection for him. This act tests the brothers' jealousy, reminiscent of their earlier envy towards Joseph (<a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Genesis 37:4</a>). It also prefigures the grace and favor shown by God to His chosen people, as seen in the blessings given to Israel.So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph The brothers' ability to feast and drink freely with Joseph indicates a moment of peace and acceptance. In the context of the narrative, this scene contrasts with their earlier fear and guilt (<a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21-22</a>). It symbolizes the breaking down of barriers and the beginning of reconciliation. This fellowship meal can be seen as a type of the Messianic banquet, where all are invited to partake in the joy and abundance of God's kingdom, as prophesied in <a href="/isaiah/25-6.htm">Isaiah 25:6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> The governor of Egypt, who was once sold into slavery by his brothers. He is now in a position of power and is testing his brothers' character. 2. <a href="/topical/b/benjamin.htm">Benjamin</a> The youngest son of Jacob and Joseph's full brother. He receives a portion five times larger than his brothers, highlighting Joseph's special affection for him. 3. <a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a> The sons of Jacob who previously sold Joseph into slavery. They are now in Egypt seeking food during a famine and are unaware of Joseph's true identity. 4. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy grain during a severe famine. 5. <a href="/topical/f/feast.htm">Feast</a> A significant event where Joseph dines with his brothers, testing their jealousy and unity by giving Benjamin a larger portion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/grace_and_favor.htm">Grace and Favor</a> Joseph's act of giving Benjamin a larger portion is a demonstration of grace and favor. It reminds us of God's abundant grace towards us, even when we may not deserve it. <a href="/topical/t/testing_of_character.htm">Testing of Character</a> Joseph's actions test his brothers' character, particularly their jealousy and unity. This challenges us to reflect on how we respond to others' blessings and successes. <a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_forgiveness.htm">Reconciliation and Forgiveness</a> The feast is a step towards reconciliation. It encourages us to seek forgiveness and restoration in our relationships, following Joseph's example. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> Despite past wrongs, God uses Joseph's position to bring about His purposes. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty in our lives, even in difficult circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_43.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 43</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_israelites.htm">What is the identity of the Israelites?</a> <a href="/q/do_genesis_43_details_match_history.htm">(Genesis 43) Do the narrative details and timelines align with any reliable extra-biblical sources or known historical events in Egypt and Canaan?</a> <a 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/names_and_meanings_of_israel's_tribes.htm">What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/43.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) Messes.--A portion of food from that prepared for the chief is regarded in the East as a mark both of honour and friendship, and the largeness of Benjamin's mess marked him out as the especial object of Joseph's regard. The words literally are, "And the portion of Benjamin was great above the portions of all of them five hands," that is, five times. It has been supposed that Joseph intended to try his brethren by this preference, and see if they were still envious. More probably it was dictated simply by his love.They drank and were merry with him.--Heb., They drank and were drunken with him. The verb is that used of Noah in <a href="/genesis/9-21.htm" title="And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.">Genesis 9:21</a>, but probably the rendering in <a href="/haggai/1-6.htm" title="You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes.">Haggai 1:6</a>, "and were filled with drink," would give the right meaning. They lost all fear and suspicion, and gave themselves up to enjoyment.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/43.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 34. - And he took and sent (literally, and he sent) messes - maseoth, from nasa, to take or lift up, i.e. things taken or lifted up, hence portions or gifts (<a href="/2_samuel/11-8.htm">2 Samuel 11:8</a>) - unto them from before him (cf. <a href="/1_samuel/9-23.htm">1 Samuel 9:23</a>). The practice of thus honoring guests was also observed among other nations (vide 'Iliad,' 7:321). But Benjamin's mess (or portion) was five times so much as any of theirs - literally, exceeded the portions of all of them five hands, i.e. five times. Herodotus (6:57) mentions that among the Spartans the king received a double portion. The unusually large portion assigned to Benjamin was designed as an expression of his strong fraternal affection, and perhaps also as a test of his brethren to ascertain if they were now free from that spirit of envy which had prompted their former cruelty to him. And they drank, and were merry with him - literally, and drank largely with him. Though the verb שָׁכַר sometimes signifies to drink to the full (<a href="/haggai/1-6.htm">Haggai 1:6</a>; <a href="/songs/5-1.htm">Song of Solomon 5:1</a>), and though intoxication was not unusual at Egyptian entertainments, there is no reason to suppose that either Joseph or his brethren were inebriated (Vulgate, Alford), or that more is meant than simply that their hearts became exhilarated "because their cares were dissipated by the kindness they were receiving, the presence of Simeon, and the attention paid to Benjamin" (Murphy). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/43-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the portions מַשְׂאֹ֜ת (maś·’ōṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4864.htm">Strong's 4864: </a> A raising, rising, an utterance, a beacon, a present were served וַיִּשָּׂ֨א (way·yiś·śā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take to them אֲלֵהֶם֒ (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to from Joseph’s table, פָּנָיו֮ (pā·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face Benjamin’s בִּנְיָמִ֛ן (bin·yā·min) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1144.htm">Strong's 1144: </a> Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites portion מַשְׂאַ֧ת (maś·’aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4864.htm">Strong's 4864: </a> A raising, rising, an utterance, a beacon, a present was five חָמֵ֣שׁ (ḥā·mêš) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2568.htm">Strong's 2568: </a> Five times יָד֑וֹת (yā·ḏō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> A hand larger than וַתֵּ֜רֶב (wat·tê·reḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> To be or become much, many or great anyone else’s. כֻּלָּ֖ם (kul·lām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every So they feasted וַיִּשְׁתּ֥וּ (way·yiš·tū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe and drank freely וַֽיִּשְׁכְּר֖וּ (way·yiš·kə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7937.htm">Strong's 7937: </a> To become tipsy, to satiate with a, stimulating drink, influence with [Joseph]. עִמּֽוֹ׃ (‘im·mōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/43-34.htm">Genesis 43:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/43-34.htm">OT Law: Genesis 43:34 He sent portions to them from before (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/43-33.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 43:33"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:33" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/44-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 44:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 44:1" /></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>