Genesis 43 KJV: The Banquet of Tears and the Favor of the Younger
Genesis 43 documents the reluctant return of the brothers to Egypt, this time bringing Benjamin to satisfy Joseph’s demand. It articulates the shifting leadership within the family as Judah pledges his own life as surety for the youngest brother. This chapter reaches an emotional peak as Joseph hosts a banquet where he struggles to conceal his identity from his kin.
v1-10: Judah’s Plea and the Decision to Take Benjamin
v11-15: The Gift for the Egyptian Lord and the Departure
v16-25: The Invitation to Joseph’s House and the Brothers' Fear
v26-34: The Banquet and Joseph’s Emotional Overload
And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.
I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Experience the tension of a family meal where Benjamin receives 5 times more than the others, testing the brothers' newfound maturity. Begin your study with genesis 43 summary.
Joseph’s overwhelming emotion in seeing Benjamin shows that despite the years of separation, his covenant love for his family remained intact. The 'Word Secret' is Rachamim, meaning 'tender mercies' or 'bowels of compassion'; it describes a physical yearning so strong Joseph had to flee the room to weep. Discover the riches with genesis 43 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden genesis 43 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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