Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 42 Summary
Joseph's Brothers Come to Egypt
Driven by famine in Canaan, Jacob sends his ten eldest sons to Egypt to buy grain, keeping Benjamin home out of fear for his safety. The brothers appear before Joseph, who is governor over Egypt and who recognizes them, though they do not recognize him; recalling his earlier dreams, he accuses them of being spies and holds them in custody for three days. Joseph then demands they bring their youngest brother Benjamin as proof of their honesty, retains Simeon as a hostage, and secretly restores each man's money in his grain sack. When the brothers return to Jacob and discover the money in their sacks, both they and their father are frightened; Jacob laments that he has lost Joseph, now Simeon, and refuses to let Benjamin go, while Reuben's pledge to guarantee Benjamin's safety does not move him.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 42:6
“And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.”
Genesis 42:8
“And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.”
Genesis 42:21
“And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.”
Genesis 42:38
“And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.”
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