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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 43:28 "Your servant our father is well," they answered. "He is still alive." And they bowed down to honor him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/43-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/01_Gen_43_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 43:28 - Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Your servant our father is well, they answered. He is still alive. 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And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/43.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they answered, “Your servant our father <i>is</i> in good health; he <i>is</i> still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/43.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” Then they bowed down <i>again</i> in homage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They said, &#8220Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.&#8221 They bowed down in homage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed down in homage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/43.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down and prostrated themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/43.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed down [their heads before Joseph] in respect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/43.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They answered, “Your servant our father is well. He is still alive.” And they knelt low and paid homage to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/43.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They answered, &#8220Your servant our father is well. He is still alive.&#8221 And they bowed down to honor him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/43.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/43.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They answered, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And again they bowed down to Joseph. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/43.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/43.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They answered, "Yes, sir. Our father is alive and well." Then they knelt, bowing down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/43.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They answered, "Your humble servant, our father, is still alive and well." And they knelt and bowed down before him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/43.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Your servant, our father, is doing well," they replied. "He is still alive." Then they bowed down in humility.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/43.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Your servant our father is well,? they answered. ?He is still alive.? And they bowed down to honor him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/43.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Your servant our father is well," they replied. "He is still alive." They bowed down in humility. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/43.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And they answered, "Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive." Then he said, "Blessed be that man by God." And they bowed and prostrated themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/43.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they answered, Thy servant, our father, is in good health, he is yet alive: and they bowed their heads and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/43.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/43.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they say, “Your servant our father [is] well, he is yet alive”; and they bow, and pay respect.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/43.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they say, 'Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive;' and they bow, and do obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/43.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will say, Peace to thy servant to our father, he is yet living: and they will bow down and worship.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/43.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they answered: Thy servant our father is in health, he is yet living. And bowing themselves they made obeisance to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/43.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they answered: “Your servant, our father, is safe; he is still alive.” And bowing, they reverenced him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/43.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Your servant our father is still alive and doing well,” they said, as they knelt and bowed down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/43.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads and did obeisance.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/43.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they answered, Your servant our father is well. he is still alive. And they bowed down their heads and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/43.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they said, “Your Servant our father is well”, and they said to him, “He is still living” and they knelt and they bowed.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/43.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they said: 'Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive.' And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/43.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they said, Thy servant our father is well; he is yet alive. And he said, Blessed be that man by God; - and they bowed, and did him reverence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/43-28.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=11339" 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/43.htm">Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>He asked if they were well, and then he asked, “How is your elderly father you told me about? Is he still alive?” <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: lə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">“Your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: lə·’ā·ḇî·nū (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 1cp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">our father</a> <a href="/hebrew/7965.htm" title="7965: šā·lō·wm (N-ms) -- Or shalom; from shalam; safe, i.e. well, happy, friendly; also welfare, i.e. Health, prosperity, peace.">is well,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they answered.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·w·ḏen·nū (Adv:: 3ms) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">“He is still</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥāy (Adj-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">alive.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/6915.htm" title="6915: way·yiq·qə·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to shrivel up, i.e. Contract or bend the body in deference.">And they bowed down</a> <a href="/hebrew/7812.htm" title="7812: way·yiš·ta·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to depress, i.e. Prostrate.">to honor him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Then he declared, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”…<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/37-7.htm">Genesis 37:7-10</a></span><br />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.” / “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements. / Then Joseph had another dream and told it to his brothers. “Look,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Genesis 42:6-9</a></span><br />Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. / And when Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. “Where have you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied. “We are here to buy food.” / Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Genesis 44:14</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.<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/50-18.htm">Genesis 50:18</a></span><br />His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Exodus 18:7</a></span><br />So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and went into the tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-41.htm">1 Samuel 20:41</a></span><br />When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-4.htm">2 Samuel 14:4</a></span><br />When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/19-18.htm">2 Samuel 19:18</a></span><br />and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/1-16.htm">1 Kings 1:16</a></span><br />And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-19.htm">1 Kings 2:19</a></span><br />So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">Matthew 2:11</a></span><br />On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Matthew 8:2</a></span><br />Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-26.htm">Matthew 18:26</a></span><br />Then the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Have patience with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-9.htm">Matthew 28:9</a></span><br />Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they answered, Your servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.</p><p class="hdg">bowed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Genesis 43:26</a></b></br> And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which <i>was</i> in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Genesis 37:7,9,10</a></b></br> For, behold, we <i>were</i> binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf… </p><p class="hdg">made obeisance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Exodus 18:7</a></b></br> And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of <i>their</i> welfare; and they came into the tent.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-2.htm">2 Samuel 1:2</a></b></br> It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and <i>so</i> it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-4.htm">2 Samuel 14:4</a></b></br> And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said, Help, O king.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/43-27.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/40-20.htm">Head</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/3_john/1-2.htm">Health</a> <a href="/genesis/41-40.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/genesis/30-20.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/genesis/24-26.htm">Low</a> <a href="/genesis/37-9.htm">Obeisance</a> <a href="/genesis/30-28.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/genesis/43-24.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/45-3.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/genesis/48-22.htm">Bow</a> <a href="/genesis/47-31.htm">Bowed</a> <a href="/genesis/44-14.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/genesis/43-29.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/44-29.htm">Head</a> <a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-6.htm">Health</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">Homage</a> <a href="/genesis/45-13.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Low</a> <a href="/exodus/4-31.htm">Obeisance</a> <a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/genesis/44-1.htm">Servant</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 43</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-15.htm">Joseph entertains his brothers.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-19.htm">They discover their fears to the steward.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/43-26.htm">Joseph makes them a feast.</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/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><b>“Your servant our father is well,” they answered.</b><br>This phrase reflects the respectful and humble attitude of Joseph's brothers towards him, whom they do not yet recognize as their brother. The term "your servant" indicates a position of submission and respect, which was customary in ancient Near Eastern cultures when addressing someone of higher status. This also fulfills Joseph's earlier dreams (<a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Genesis 37:7-10</a>) where his brothers' sheaves bowed down to his sheaf, symbolizing their submission to him. The mention of their father being "well" is significant, as it reassures Joseph of Jacob's health and well-being, which is a central concern for him.<p><b>“He is still alive.”</b><br>The affirmation that Jacob is "still alive" is crucial for Joseph, who has been separated from his family for many years. This statement not only provides Joseph with personal relief but also sets the stage for the eventual reunion of the family. The survival of Jacob is significant in the broader narrative of Genesis, as it ensures the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through his lineage. This phrase also highlights the theme of God's providence and faithfulness in preserving the patriarchs.<p><b>And they bowed down to honor him.</b><br>The act of bowing down is a physical demonstration of respect and submission, which was a common practice in ancient cultures when approaching someone of authority. This action fulfills the prophetic dreams Joseph had in his youth, where his brothers' sheaves and the celestial bodies bowed to him (<a href="/genesis/37-7.htm">Genesis 37:7-9</a>). This moment is a pivotal fulfillment of those dreams, illustrating the sovereignty of God in bringing His plans to fruition despite human actions. The brothers' bowing can also be seen as a type of Christ, where every knee will bow to Jesus (<a href="/philippians/2-10.htm">Philippians 2:10</a>), symbolizing ultimate recognition and submission to divine authority.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>- The governor of Egypt, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to power. He is the central figure in this account, testing his brothers' character and integrity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>- The sons of Jacob who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. They are unaware that the Egyptian official they are dealing with is their brother Joseph.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (Israel)</a></b><br>- The father of Joseph and his brothers, who remains in Canaan. His well-being is a concern for his sons as they navigate their interactions with Joseph.<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 due to the severe famine in Canaan.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>- A severe shortage of food affecting Canaan and surrounding regions, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt for sustenance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_dreams.htm">The Fulfillment of Dreams</a></b><br>Joseph's dreams in <a href="/bsb/genesis/37.htm">Genesis 37</a>, where his brothers bow to him, are fulfilled here. God's plans and promises may take time, but they are sure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_forgiveness.htm">Reconciliation and Forgiveness</a></b><br>Joseph's interactions with his brothers highlight themes of reconciliation. Despite their past wrongs, Joseph seeks to restore the relationship, pointing to the importance of forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Trials</a></b><br>Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership in Egypt demonstrates God's sovereignty and ability to use difficult circumstances for His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_and_honor.htm">Respect and Honor</a></b><br>The brothers' act of bowing signifies respect and honor, reminding us of the importance of humility and respect in our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/family_and_responsibility.htm">Family and Responsibility</a></b><br>The brothers' concern for their father Jacob's well-being underscores the importance of family responsibility and care.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_43.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 43</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_road_rage.htm">Who existed before Abraham?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/address_abram's_moral_dilemma_in_genesis.htm">How do we address the moral dilemma of Abram fathering a child with his wife's servant (Genesis 16:1-4)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_haran_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Haran in the Bible?</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>(28) <span class= "bld">They bowed down.</span>--This was the literal fulfilment of the first dream concerning the eleven sheaves making obeisance. As their business in Egypt was to buy corn, there was a fitness also in their being represented as sheaves.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/43.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive</span>. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/43-28.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">“Your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעַבְדְּךָ֥</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our father</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאָבִ֖ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’ā·ḇî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is well,”</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁל֛וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(šā·lō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7965.htm">Strong's 7965: </a> </span><span class="str2">Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they answered.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<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">“He is still</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·ḏen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">alive.”</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And they bowed down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּקְּד֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6915.htm">Strong's 6915: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shrivel up, contract, bend the body, in deference</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to honor him.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּֽוּ׃‪‬‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·ta·ḥăw·wū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7812.htm">Strong's 7812: </a> </span><span class="str2">To depress, prostrate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/43-28.htm">Genesis 43:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/43-28.htm">OT Law: Genesis 43:28 They said Your servant our father (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/43-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 43:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/43-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 43:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:29" /></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>