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If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/42.htm">New Living Translation</a> One of you must go and get your brother. I’ll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we’ll find out whether or not your story is true. By the life of Pharaoh, if it turns out that you don’t have a younger brother, then I’ll know you are spies.” <a href="/esv/genesis/42.htm">English Standard Version</a> Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/42.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” <a href="/kjv/genesis/42.htm">King James Bible</a> Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/42.htm">New King James Version</a> Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/42.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Send one of you and have him get your brother, while you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, you are certainly spies!” <a href="/nasb/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/42.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/42.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” <a href="/amp/genesis/42.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Send one of you [back home], and let him bring your brother [here], while [the rest of] you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, [to see] whether there is any truth in you [and your story]; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, certainly you are spies.” <a href="/csb/genesis/42.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies! ” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/42.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/42.htm">American Standard Version</a> Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. <a href="/cev/genesis/42.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Choose one of you to go after your brother, while the rest of you stay here in jail. That will show whether you are telling the truth. But if you are lying, I swear by the life of the king that you are spies! <a href="/erv/genesis/42.htm">English Revised Version</a> Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. <a href="/gwt/genesis/42.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> One of you must be sent to get your brother while the rest of you stay in prison. We'll see if you're telling the truth. If not, I solemnly swear, as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!" <a href="/gnt/genesis/42.htm">Good News Translation</a> One of you must go and get him. The rest of you will be kept under guard until the truth of what you say can be tested. Otherwise, as sure as the king lives, you are spies." <a href="/isv/genesis/42.htm">International Standard Version</a> One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!" <a href="/msb/genesis/42.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!? <a href="/net/genesis/42.htm">NET Bible</a> One of you must go and get your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison. In this way your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If not, then, as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!" <a href="/nheb/genesis/42.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you will stay in prison, so that your words can be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies." <a href="/wbt/genesis/42.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there is any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. <a href="/web/genesis/42.htm">World English Bible</a> Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/42.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and you, remain bound, and let your words be proved, whether truth be with you: and if not, [as] Pharaoh lives, surely you [are] spies”; <a href="/ylt/genesis/42.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye, remain ye bound, and let your words be proved, whether truth be with you: and if not -- Pharaoh liveth! surely ye are spies;' <a href="/slt/genesis/42.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Send one of you and he shall take your brother, and ye to be bound, and your words shall be proved, whether the truth with you; and if not, Pharaoh living, for ye are spying.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/42.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Send one of you to fetch him: and you shall be in prison, till what you have said be proved, whether it be true or false: or else by the health of Pharao you are spies. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/42.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Send one of you and bring him. But you will be in chains, until what you have said is proven to be either true or false. Otherwise, by the health of Pharaoh, you are scouts.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/42.htm">New American Bible</a> So send one of your number to get your brother, while the rest of you stay here under arrest. Thus will your words be tested for their truth; if they are untrue, as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/42.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/42.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and you shall be bound in prison, so that your words may be proved, to see if your statements are true; and if they are not true, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/42.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Send one of you to bring your brother and you will all be bound and your words will be tested, if you have spoken the truth, otherwise, by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/42.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh liveth, surely ye are spies.' <a href="/sep/genesis/42.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Send one of you, and take your brother; and go ye to prison, till your words be clear, whether ye speak the truth or not; but, if not, by the health of Pharao, verily ye are spies. <a href="/parallel/genesis/42-16.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=10881" 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/42.htm">Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt</a> …15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16<a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šil·ḥū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">Send</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/mik·kem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">of your number</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: wə·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">to get</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ă·ḥî·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">your brother;</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tem (Conj-w:: Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">the rest of you</a> <a href="/hebrew/631.htm" title="631: hê·’ā·sə·rū (V-Nifal-Imp-mp) -- To tie, bind, imprison. A primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle.">will be confined</a> <a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ha·’ĕ·meṯ (Art:: N-fs) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">so that the truth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">of your words</a> <a href="/hebrew/974.htm" title="974: wə·yib·bā·ḥă·nū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To examine, try. A primitive root; to test; generally and figuratively, to investigate.">may be tested.</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tə·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they are untrue,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6547.htm" title="6547: p̄ar·‘ōh (N-proper-ms) -- A title of Eg. kings. Of Egyptian derivation; Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings.">then as surely as Pharaoh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥê (N-msc) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">lives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tem (Pro-2mp) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7270.htm" title="7270: mə·rag·gə·lîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer; also to lead about.">are spies!”</a> 17So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,…<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/44-1.htm">Genesis 44:1-17</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. / At daybreak, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. ... <a href="/genesis/43-3.htm">Genesis 43:3-5</a> But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. / But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’” <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5-11</a> Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ... <a href="/genesis/45-1.htm">Genesis 45:1-5</a> Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. / 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. ... <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a> As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. <a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8-10</a> Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” <a href="/exodus/12-37.htm">Exodus 12:37-38</a> The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. / And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds. <a href="/numbers/13-1.htm">Numbers 13:1-3</a> And the LORD said to Moses, / “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” / So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a> A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a> At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ... <a href="/2_kings/7-12.htm">2 Kings 7:12</a> So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” <a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16-22</a> He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ... <a href="/isaiah/11-11.htm">Isaiah 11:11-16</a> On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. / He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. / Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. ... <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a> But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.kept in prison.<a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Genesis 42:19</a> If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Confined</a> <a href="/genesis/27-45.htm">Fetch</a> <a href="/genesis/41-10.htm">Imprisoned</a> <a href="/genesis/41-36.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/41-14.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/genesis/42-14.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/genesis/35-29.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/42-14.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/genesis/42-14.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/genesis/42-15.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/genesis/42-11.htm">True.</a> <a href="/genesis/32-10.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/genesis/37-32.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/genesis/39-19.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Bound</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Confined</a> <a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">Fetch</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-7.htm">Imprisoned</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/genesis/43-9.htm">Life</a> <a href="/genesis/44-18.htm">Pharaoh</a> <a href="/genesis/42-17.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Proof</a> <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/genesis/48-14.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/genesis/42-30.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/genesis/42-30.htm">Spies</a> <a href="/genesis/43-10.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/genesis/43-6.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/exodus/15-25.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/genesis/42-19.htm">True.</a> <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/genesis/42-33.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/genesis/42-20.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 42</div>1. <a href="/genesis/42-1.htm">Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/42-18.htm">They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.</a> 21. <a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">They have remorse for Joseph.</a> 24. <a href="/genesis/42-24.htm">Simeon is kept for a pledge.</a> 25. <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">They return with grain, and their money.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/42-29.htm">Their relation to Jacob.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/42-36.htm">Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.</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/42.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/42.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Send one of your number to get your brother; This directive from Joseph to his brothers is a test of their honesty and integrity. It reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of sending a representative to verify claims. The mention of "your brother" refers to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, who remained in Canaan. This request is significant because it tests the brothers' loyalty and truthfulness, and it also sets the stage for the eventual reunion of the entire family. Theologically, it foreshadows the role of a mediator, a concept fulfilled in Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.the rest of you will be confined Joseph's decision to confine his brothers serves as a form of protective custody and a test of their character. This confinement is symbolic of the spiritual bondage that sin brings, and it mirrors the earlier imprisonment of Joseph himself, creating a parallel that highlights themes of justice and redemption. The brothers' confinement also serves as a period of reflection and repentance, which is a recurring theme in Scripture.so that the truth of your words may be tested. The testing of the brothers' words is a critical element in the narrative, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity. This testing can be seen as a form of divine providence, where God uses circumstances to reveal the hearts of individuals. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of testing as a means of refining and proving one's faith, as seen in passages like <a href="/james/1-3.htm">James 1:3-4</a>.If they are untrue, This conditional statement underscores the seriousness of the accusation against the brothers. It reflects the legal practices of the time, where false testimony was a grave offense. Theologically, it points to the concept of divine justice, where truth is paramount, and falsehood is condemned. This mirrors the biblical principle that God is a God of truth, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/31-5.htm">Psalm 31:5</a>.then as surely as Pharaoh lives, The oath "as surely as Pharaoh lives" is a common expression in ancient Egypt, invoking the life of the Pharaoh as a guarantee of truth. This phrase highlights the cultural context of the narrative, where oaths were often sworn by the life of a king or deity. It also emphasizes the authority Joseph holds in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh, and foreshadows the ultimate authority of Christ as King.you are spies!” The accusation of being spies is a serious charge, reflecting the political tensions and security concerns of the time. In the broader biblical narrative, this accusation serves to test the brothers' honesty and to bring about a recognition of their past sins, particularly their betrayal of Joseph. It also prefigures the role of Christ as the one who discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a> - The governor of Egypt, who is testing his brothers to see if they have changed since they sold him into slavery. 2. <a href="/topical/j/joseph's_brothers.htm">Joseph's Brothers</a> - The sons of Jacob who have come to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. They do not recognize Joseph. 3. <a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a> - The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy food. 4. <a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a> - The ruler of Egypt, whose authority Joseph invokes to emphasize the seriousness of his test. 5. <a href="/topical/p/prison.htm">Prison</a> - The place where Joseph's brothers are threatened to be held as a test of their honesty.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truthfulness.htm">The Importance of Truthfulness</a> Joseph's test underscores the value of honesty. As believers, we are called to be truthful in all our dealings. <a href="/topical/t/testing_and_growth.htm">Testing and Growth</a> God often uses tests to reveal our character and promote spiritual growth. Joseph's brothers are being tested to see if they have changed. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_authority.htm">The Role of Authority</a> Joseph's invocation of Pharaoh's name highlights the importance of respecting authority and understanding the weight of one's words. <a href="/topical/r/reconciliation_and_forgiveness.htm">Reconciliation and Forgiveness</a> This passage sets the stage for eventual reconciliation. It reminds us of the power of forgiveness and the restoration of broken relationships. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_trials.htm">God's Sovereignty in Trials</a> Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership illustrates God's sovereignty and purpose in trials, encouraging us to trust Him in difficult times.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_42.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42</a> <a href="/q/are_joseph_and_imhotep_linked.htm">Are Joseph and Imhotep historically connected?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_joseph_rise_to_power_in_egypt.htm">How did Joseph rise to power in Egypt?</a> <a href="/q/could_large_silver_returns_go_unnoticed.htm">(Genesis 43:12) How plausible is it that large amounts of silver were secretly returned without raising alarms among Egyptian authorities or the local population? </a> <a href="/q/why_did_egypt's_governor_handle_food_sales.htm">Why would the governor of Egypt personally handle these seemingly minor food transactions without delegation (Genesis 42:6)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a> <a href="/commentaries/genesis/42-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Send שִׁלְח֨וּ (šil·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out one אֶחָד֮ (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first of your number מִכֶּ֣ם (mik·kem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of to get וְיִקַּ֣ח (wə·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take your brother; אֲחִיכֶם֒ (’ă·ḥî·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) the rest of you וְאַתֶּם֙ (wə·’at·tem) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you will be confined הֵאָ֣סְר֔וּ (hê·’ā·sə·rū) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_631.htm">Strong's 631: </a> To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle so that the truth הַֽאֱמֶ֖ת (ha·’ĕ·meṯ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness of your words דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔ם (diḇ·rê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause may be tested. וְיִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙ (wə·yib·bā·ḥă·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_974.htm">Strong's 974: </a> To test, to investigate If וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not they are untrue, לֹ֕א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no then as surely as Pharaoh פַרְעֹ֔ה (p̄ar·‘ōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6547.htm">Strong's 6547: </a> Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings lives, חֵ֣י (ḥê) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life you אַתֶּֽם׃ (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you are spies!” מְרַגְּלִ֖ים (mə·rag·gə·lîm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7270.htm">Strong's 7270: </a> To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/42-16.htm">Genesis 42:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/42-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 42:16 Send one of you and let him (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/42-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 42:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/42-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 42:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 42:17" /></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>