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Genesis 43:20 "Please, sir," they said, "we really did come down here the first time to buy food.
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/43.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/43.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/43.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/43.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/43.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/43.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/43.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/43.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/43.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/43.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and they said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/43.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down here the first time to buy food;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/43.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said, “My lord, we really did come down here the first time only to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/43.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They said, “Sir, we really did come down here the first time only to buy food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/43.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/43.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Sir, we came to Egypt once before to buy grain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/43.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and said, Oh my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/43.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Please, sir," they said, "we came here to buy food once before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/43.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"If you please, sir, we came here once before to buy food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/43.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Your Excellency," they said, "The first time we came here to buy food, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/43.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Please, sir,? they said, ?we really did come down here the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/43.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They said, "My lord, we did indeed come down the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/43.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and said, "My lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/43.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And said, O sir, we came down indeed at the first time to buy food:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/43.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/43.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and say, “O my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/43.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and say, 'O, my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food;<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, With leave my lord, coming down, we came down at the beginning to buy food.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/43.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They said: Sir, we desire thee to hear us: We came down once before to buy food: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/43.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />they said: “We beg you, lord, to hear us. We came down once before to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/43.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“If you please, sir,” they said, “we came down here once before to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/43.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They said, “Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/43.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And said, We beseech you, O our lord, we truly came down at the first time to buy grain;<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 to him, “We beg our Lord, truly we went down at the first to buy grain:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/43.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and said: 'Oh my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/43.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />saying, We pray <i>thee</i>, Sir; we came down at first to buy food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/43-20.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=11270" 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">19</span>So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/994.htm" title="994: bî (Prep:: 1cs) -- Perhaps from ba'ah; properly, a request; used only adverbially; Oh that!; with leave, or if it please.">“Please,</a> <a href="/hebrew/113.htm" title="113: ’ă·ḏō·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Lord. Or adon; from an unused root; sovereign, i.e. Controller.">sir,”</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 said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yā·rōḏ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To come or go down, descend. ">“we really did come down</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yā·raḏ·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To come or go down, descend. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8462.htm" title="8462: bat·tə·ḥil·lāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A beginning. From chalal in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. Original.">here the first time</a> <a href="/hebrew/7666.htm" title="7666: liš·bār- (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To buy grain. Denominative from sheber; to deal in grain.">to buy</a> <a href="/hebrew/400.htm" title="400: ’ō·ḵel (N-ms) -- Food. From 'akal; food.">food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>But when we came to the place we lodged for the night, we opened our sacks and, behold, each of us found his silver in the mouth of his sack! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us.…<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/42-10.htm">Genesis 42:10-11</a></span><br />“Not so, my lord,” they replied. “Your servants have come to buy food. / We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Genesis 44:18-19</a></span><br />Then Judah approached Joseph and said, “Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are equal to Pharaoh himself. / My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21-22</a></span><br />Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” / And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-7.htm">Genesis 44:7-9</a></span><br />“Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing. / We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found in the mouths of our sacks. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? / If any of your servants is found to have it, he must die, and the rest will become slaves of my lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-27.htm">Genesis 42:27-28</a></span><br />At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack. / “My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack.” Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/44-16.htm">Genesis 44:16-17</a></span><br />“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.” / But Joseph replied, “Far be it from me to do this. The man who was found with the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may return to your father in peace.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-35.htm">Genesis 42:35-36</a></span><br />As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed. / Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is no more. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is going against me!”<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/44-30.htm">Genesis 44:30-34</a></span><br />So if the boy is not with us when I return to your servant, and if my father, whose life is wrapped up in the boy’s life, / sees that the boy is not with us, he will die. Then your servants will have brought the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow. / Indeed, your servant guaranteed the boy’s safety to my father, saying, ‘If I do not return him to you, I will bear the guilt before you, my father, all my life.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-18</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-22.htm">Exodus 32:22-24</a></span><br />“Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. / They told me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!’ / So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, let him take it off,’ and they gave it to me. And when I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/32-23.htm">Numbers 32:23</a></span><br />But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3-5</a></span><br />Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-19.htm">2 Samuel 14:19-20</a></span><br />So the king asked, “Is the hand of Joab behind all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders; he told your maidservant exactly what to say. / Joab your servant has done this to bring about this change of affairs, but my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God, to know everything that happens in the land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-12.htm">2 Kings 8:12-13</a></span><br />“Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” / “But how could your servant, a mere dog, do such a monstrous thing?” said Hazael. And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:</p><p class="hdg">we came indeed down.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">Genesis 43:3,7</a></b></br> And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother <i>be</i> with you… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-3.htm">Genesis 42:3,10,27,35</a></b></br> And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/41-45.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/genesis/43-4.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/genesis/43-18.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/43-16.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/40-15.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/40-14.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/40-15.htm">Really</a> <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/genesis/43-18.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/4-13.htm">Ah</a> <a href="/genesis/43-22.htm">Buy</a> <a href="/judges/1-1.htm">Commencement</a> <a href="/genesis/49-3.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/43-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Please</a> <a href="/genesis/45-12.htm">Really</a> <a href="/matthew/8-2.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/genesis/44-28.htm">Time</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 /> <!-- /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/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>"Please, sir," they said,</b><br>This phrase reflects the respectful and humble approach of Joseph's brothers as they address the steward of Joseph's house. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, showing respect to those in authority was crucial, especially in foreign lands. The use of "sir" indicates their recognition of the steward's position and their desire to find favor. This humility can be contrasted with their earlier attitudes when dealing with Joseph as a young man, highlighting a transformation in their character.<p><b>"we really did come down here the first time to buy food."</b><br>The brothers are referring to their initial journey to Egypt due to the severe famine in Canaan, which is documented in <a href="/genesis/42.htm">Genesis 42</a>. This statement is part of their defense against the accusation of being spies. The famine was widespread, affecting not only Egypt but also surrounding regions, forcing many to seek provisions from Egypt, where Joseph, unbeknownst to them, had stored grain. This situation fulfills the earlier dreams of Joseph, where his brothers' sheaves bowed to his, symbolizing their dependence on him. The phrase also underscores the theme of God's providence, as He uses the famine to bring about reconciliation and the preservation of Jacob's family, which is central to the unfolding of the Abrahamic covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>- The governor of Egypt, who is in charge of selling grain during the famine. He is the brother of the men speaking, though they do not recognize him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a></b><br>- The sons of Jacob, who have returned to Egypt to buy food during a severe famine. They are speaking to Joseph, unaware of his true identity.<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 buy grain due to the widespread famine.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>- A severe shortage of food affecting the entire region, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt for sustenance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>- The father of Joseph and his brothers, who remains in Canaan and has sent his sons to Egypt to procure food.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/honesty_and_integrity.htm">Honesty and Integrity</a></b><br>The brothers' plea to Joseph underscores the importance of honesty in our dealings. As believers, we are called to be truthful in all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/providence_and_sovereignty.htm">Providence and Sovereignty</a></b><br>This passage reminds us of God's overarching plan. Despite the brothers' initial wrongdoing, God uses their journey to Egypt for a greater purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_reconciliation.htm">Repentance and Reconciliation</a></b><br>The brothers' return to Egypt symbolizes a step towards reconciliation. In our lives, we should seek to mend broken relationships and seek forgiveness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>The famine forced the brothers to rely on God's provision through Joseph. We, too, should trust in God's ability to provide for our needs, even in difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_adversity.htm">Courage in Adversity</a></b><br>Approaching Joseph again required courage from the brothers. We are encouraged to face our fears and trust God in challenging situations.<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/evidence_of_abimelech's_gerar_in_genesis_20.htm">Is there any archaeological or historical evidence to support the presence of Abimelech or a kingdom in Gerar at the time of Genesis 20?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_address_someone_who_wronged_you.htm">What do you truly need according to your faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_a_long_famine_credible_without_evidence.htm">(Genesis 43:2) How credible is it that a single famine could last so long without any corroborating historical or archaeological evidence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_jer_44_17-19_conflict_with_monotheism.htm">Does Jeremiah 44:17-19, mentioning worship of the 'Queen of Heaven,' conflict with monotheism or other biblical teachings?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/43-20.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">“Please,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(bî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_994.htm">Strong's 994: </a> </span><span class="str2">Oh that!, with leave, if it please</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sir,”</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_113.htm">Strong's 113: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sovereign, controller</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ</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">“we really did come down</span><br /><span class="heb">יָרֹ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(yā·rōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come or go down, descend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">here the first time</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(bat·tə·ḥil·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8462.htm">Strong's 8462: </a> </span><span class="str2">A commencement, rel, original</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to buy</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁבָּר־</span> <span class="translit">(liš·bār-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7666.htm">Strong's 7666: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal in grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹֽכֶל׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḵel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_400.htm">Strong's 400: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/43-20.htm">Genesis 43:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/43-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 43:20 And said Oh my lord we indeed (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/43-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 43:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/43-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 43:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 43:21" /></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>