New here? Meet Jacob’s family. Twelve sons, and everyone knows which one is the favourite. Joseph. Rachel’s boy, born when Jacob was already old. He’s seventeen, out minding the flocks with his older brothers.
GENESIS 37:1–3 · BSB
Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan. This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors.
Had the strangest dream. We were out in the field tying up sheaves of grain, and my sheaf stood up straight, and all of yours gathered round and bowed down to mine.
GENESIS 37:5–7 · BSB
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.”
Oh, so you’re going to be king over us now, are you? Rule over us?
GENESIS 37:8 · BSB
“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.
Another one. The sun, the moon and eleven stars, all bowing down to me.
GENESIS 37:9 · BSB
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.”
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.”
The boys have taken the flocks up near Shechem. Sending Joseph to see how they’re doing and bring me word back. He said he’s ready.
GENESIS 37:12–14 · BSB
Some time later, Joseph’s brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks near Shechem. Israel said to him, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flocks at Shechem? Get ready; I am sending you to them.” “I am ready,” Joseph replied. Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem,
Found a lad wandering round the fields out here on his own. Asked what he was looking for. My brothers, he said, they’re shepherds. They’d moved on. I heard them say they were going to Dothan, so I sent him that way.
GENESIS 37:14–17 · BSB
Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring, and bring word back to me.” So he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem, a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?” “I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?” “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing—
His brothers see him coming from a long way off. Before he even reaches them they’ve made a plan. Here comes that dreamer. Kill him, throw him in one of the pits, say a wild animal got him. Then see what becomes of his dreams.
Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!”
Reuben, the eldest, stops them. Don’t kill him. No blood. Throw him in this pit out here, but don’t touch him.
GENESIS 37:21–22 · BSB
When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. “Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father.
Joseph gets to them. They strip the robe off him, the one with all the colours, and throw him into the pit. It’s dry. No water in it.
GENESIS 37:23–24 · BSB
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the robe of many colors he was wearing— and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, with no water in it.
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt.
On the road from Gilead down to Egypt with spices, balm and myrrh. Passing Dothan today, some shepherds pulled a boy up out of a dry pit and sold him to us. Twenty pieces of silver. He’s coming to Egypt with the rest of the load.
GENESIS 37:25; GENESIS 37:28 · BSB
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
What the traders didn’t hear. When the brothers saw the caravan, Judah asked what they’d gain by killing their own brother and covering it up. Sell him, he said. Don’t hurt him. He’s our brother, our own flesh and blood. And they agreed.
GENESIS 37:25–27 · BSB
And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed.
Reuben comes back to the pit, and it’s empty. He tears his clothes and goes back to the others. The boy is gone. What am I going to do?
GENESIS 37:29–30 · BSB
When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes, returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?”
That was Reuben’s plan all along. Talk them into the pit, come back for Joseph later, and take him home to their father. He was away when the traders came.
GENESIS 37:22; GENESIS 37:29 · BSB
“Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes,
They kill a young goat and dip Joseph’s robe in its blood. Then they send the robe to their father.
GENESIS 37:31–32 · BSB
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.”
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so that I can make them into a tasty dish for your father—the kind he loves. And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
Jacob’s torn his clothes and put on sackcloth, the rough cloth you wear when someone dies. It’s been days and days. His sons and daughters have all tried to comfort him. He won’t let them.
GENESIS 37:34–35 · BSB
Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.
All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.
Egypt. Sold the Hebrew boy on to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officers. Captain of the guard, no less.
GENESIS 37:36; GENESIS 39:1 · BSB
Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard. Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
Acquired a young Hebrew from some Ishmaelite traders. Everything he does goes well. His God is clearly with him.
GENESIS 39:1–3 · BSB
Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did,
Put him in charge of the whole household. Everything I own. Honestly, the only thing I think about now is what’s for dinner.
GENESIS 39:4–6 · BSB
Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
Joseph is well built and good-looking, and Potiphar’s wife has noticed. Day after day she keeps on at him. Day after day he says no. His master has trusted him with everything in the house except her, because she’s his wife. How could he do something that wicked, and sin against God?
GENESIS 39:6–10 · BSB
So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” Although Potiphar’s wife spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be near her.
One day nobody else is in the house. She grabs him by his cloak. He leaves it in her hand and runs outside.
GENESIS 39:11–12 · BSB
One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside. She grabbed Joseph by his cloak and said, “Sleep with me!” But leaving his cloak in her hand, he escaped and ran outside.
That Hebrew slave my husband brought in here came to make fools of us. I screamed as loud as I could, and he ran off and left his cloak with me. Here it is.
GENESIS 39:13–15 · BSB
When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, she called her household servants. “Look,” she said, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could. When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
She called all of us in to show us the cloak. Not one of us was actually in the house when it happened. Just saying.
GENESIS 39:11; GENESIS 39:14 · BSB
One day, however, Joseph went into the house to attend to his work, and not a single household servant was inside. she called her household servants. “Look,” she said, “this Hebrew has been brought to us to make sport of us. He came to me so he could sleep with me, but I screamed as loud as I could.
My wife has informed me what my slave did to her. I am furious. He is now in the king’s prison.
GENESIS 39:19–20 · BSB
When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is what your slave did to me,” he burned with anger. So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison,
New Hebrew prisoner. Already put him in charge of all the others. Whatever he’s running, I don’t even check. It just works, dude.
GENESIS 39:21–23 · BSB
the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
I offended Pharaoh. So did the chief baker. Now we’re both locked up in the prison at the captain of the guard’s house. Long story.
GENESIS 40:1–3 · BSB
Some time later, the king’s cupbearer and baker offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guard, the same prison where Joseph was confined.
Two of my prisoners are from Pharaoh’s court. This morning they both looked miserable. They’d both had dreams, and there’s nobody in here to tell them what they mean. Isn’t explaining dreams God’s business? So I said: tell me.
GENESIS 40:5–8 · BSB
both of these men—the Egyptian king’s cupbearer and baker, who were being held in the prison—had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were distraught. So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?” “We both had dreams,” they replied, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
Mine: a vine with three branches. It budded, it blossomed, the grapes ripened. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, so I squeezed the grapes into it and gave it to him.
GENESIS 40:9–11 · BSB
So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream: “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into his cup, and placed the cup in his hand.”
The Hebrew says three branches, three days. In three days Pharaoh gives me my job back.
GENESIS 40:12–13 · BSB
Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three branches are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you did when you were his cupbearer.
Asked the cupbearer one thing. When it goes well for you, remember me. Mention me to Pharaoh. I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and I’ve done nothing here to deserve a dungeon either.
GENESIS 40:14–15 · BSB
But when it goes well for you, please remember me and show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharaoh, that he might bring me out of this prison. For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing for which they should have put me in this dungeon.”
The baker had one too. Three baskets of bread on his head, and birds eating out of the top one. The Hebrew’s answer for him wasn’t a good one.
GENESIS 40:16–19 · BSB
When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: There were three baskets of white bread on my head. In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.” Joseph replied, “This is the interpretation: The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. Then the birds will eat the flesh of your body.”
Three days later, Pharaoh’s birthday feast. And I’m back. Cup in my hand, into Pharaoh’s, like nothing ever happened.
GENESIS 40:20–21 · BSB
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.
Bad night. I was standing by the Nile. Seven cows came up out of the river, fat and healthy, and grazed in the reeds. Then seven more came up, thin and sickly, and ate the fat ones.
GENESIS 41:1–4 · BSB
After two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, when seven cows, sleek and well-fed, came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river. And the cows that were sickly and thin devoured the seven sleek, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up,
Fell back asleep. Seven heads of grain on one stalk, full and ripe. Then seven thin ones, scorched by the east wind, swallowed them.
GENESIS 41:5–7 · BSB
but he fell back asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and ripe, came up on one stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted, thin and scorched by the east wind. And the thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, ripe ones. Then Pharaoh awoke and realized it was a dream.
Called to the palace first thing. Every magician and wise man in Egypt. Pharaoh told us both dreams. Not one of us can tell him what they mean.
GENESIS 41:8 · BSB
In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Pharaoh is deeply troubled. The whole court has noticed.
GENESIS 41:8 · BSB
In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.
Bit awkward, this. I’ve had to own up to my mistakes today. Two years late, I’ve told Pharaoh about him. The young Hebrew in the prison who explained our dreams, and got them right.
Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I recall my failures. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard. One night both the chief baker and I had dreams, and each dream had its own meaning. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us individually. And it happened to us just as he had interpreted: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”
Pharaoh told the Hebrew he’d heard he can explain any dream you tell him. His answer: it isn’t me. God will give Pharaoh his answer.
GENESIS 41:15–16 · BSB
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.”
The two dreams are one, he says. God is showing Pharaoh what he’s about to do. Seven good years of plenty all over Egypt. Then seven years of famine so bad nobody will remember the good ones. Pharaoh got it twice because God has settled it, and it’s coming soon.
GENESIS 41:25–32 · BSB
At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven ripe heads of grain are seven years. The dreams have the same meaning. Moreover, the seven thin, ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind—they are seven years of famine. It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe. Moreover, because the dream was given to Pharaoh in two versions, the matter has been decreed by God, and He will carry it out shortly.
Then he told Pharaoh what to do about it. Find a wise man and put him over Egypt. Take a fifth of every harvest in the good years and store it in the cities for the bad ones.
GENESIS 41:33–36 · BSB
Now, therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. Under the authority of Pharaoh, let them collect all the excess food from these good years, that they may come and lay up the grain to be preserved as food in the cities. This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine.”
Some news. I’ve put Joseph over all the land of Egypt. My house, my people, all of it. Only the throne is above him. My own ring is on his finger.
GENESIS 41:39–42 · BSB
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
Fine linen, a gold chain round his neck, and Pharaoh’s second chariot. Men running ahead of him shouting: kneel!
GENESIS 41:42–43 · BSB
Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, with men calling out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.
Pharaoh’s given him an Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah, and a wife: Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.
GENESIS 41:45 · BSB
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah, and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph took charge of all the land of Egypt.
This is the account of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was tending the flock with his brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah, and he brought their father a bad report about them. Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.
Harvest after harvest after harvest. Never seen the land give like this, honestly. A fifth of it goes to the governor’s storehouses in the cities.
GENESIS 41:34; GENESIS 41:47–48 · BSB
Let Pharaoh take action and appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it.
A son. I’ve named him Manasseh, because God has made me forget all my trouble, and my whole family back home.
GENESIS 41:50–51 · BSB
Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.”
Seven good years, over. The famine’s started, just like the governor said. Every country round us has nothing. Egypt has bread.
GENESIS 41:53–54 · BSB
When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt.
We went to Pharaoh begging for food. He said: go to Joseph. Do whatever he tells you.
GENESIS 41:55 · BSB
When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”
When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.
Why are you all just standing there staring at each other? I’ve heard there’s grain in Egypt. Go down and buy some, so we live and don’t die.
GENESIS 42:1–2 · BSB
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” “Look,” he added, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
On duty with the governor at the grain sales. Ten brothers from Canaan today. They came in and bowed right down in front of him, faces on the floor.
GENESIS 42:5–6; GENESIS 42:23 · BSB
So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan. 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. They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.
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. Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”
The governor was rough with them. Where are you from? Canaan, here to buy food. Then he says: you’re spies. You’ve come to see where our country’s weak.
GENESIS 42:7–9 · BSB
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. Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”
Told him we’re not spies. We’re honest men. Twelve brothers, sons of one man in Canaan. The youngest is at home with our father. And one is gone.
GENESIS 42:10–13 · BSB
“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.” “No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.” But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”
Three days locked up. Now he says: I fear God, so here’s what you’ll do. One of you stays in prison. The rest take grain home to your hungry families, and come back with your youngest brother.
GENESIS 42:17–20 · BSB
So Joseph imprisoned them for three days, and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live: If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.
Honestly? This is because of what we did to our brother. We saw how scared he was when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. That’s why this is happening to us.
GENESIS 42:21 · BSB
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 he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes. Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out, and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed.
Orders from the governor for the Canaanites: fill their bags with grain, put each man’s silver back in his sack, and give them food for the road. Not my place to ask.
GENESIS 42:25 · BSB
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,
Stopped for the night and one of us opened his sack to feed his donkey. His silver is in it. Right there at the top. Our hearts sank. What has God done to us?
GENESIS 42:27–28 · BSB
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?”
Home. Told Dad everything. The man who runs Egypt called us spies. He’s kept Simeon. We only get him back if we take Benjamin down there.
GENESIS 42:29–34 · BSB
When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they described to him all that had happened to them: “The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country. But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.’ Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’”
Then they emptied the sacks. Every one of them had his bag of silver in it. They’re all scared. Jacob too.
GENESIS 42:35 · BSB
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.
You’ve taken my children from me. Joseph is gone. Simeon is gone. And now you want Benjamin. Everything is against me.
GENESIS 42:36 · BSB
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!”
The grain from Egypt’s gone. Go back and buy us a little more food.
GENESIS 43:1–2 · BSB
Now the famine was still severe in the land. So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
Dad wants us back in Egypt. Look, the man was very clear: you won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you. So no Benjamin, no trip.
GENESIS 43:3–5 · BSB
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.’”
Told Dad: send the boy with me. I’ll guarantee him myself. If I don’t bring him back and stand him in front of you, blame me for the rest of my life. And honestly, if we hadn’t sat around so long, we’d have been there and back twice by now.
GENESIS 43:8–10 · BSB
And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life. If we had not delayed, we could have come and gone twice by now.”
If it has to be, it has to be. Take the man a gift. A little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios, almonds. Take double the silver, and give back what was in your sacks. Maybe it was a mistake. And take your brother.
GENESIS 43:11–13 · BSB
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. Take your brother as well, and return to the man at once.
May God Almighty make the man kind to you, so he sends back your other brother and Benjamin both. As for me, if I lose my children, I lose them.
GENESIS 43:14 · BSB
May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
The Canaanite brothers are back, with a younger one this time. The governor saw them and gave me orders: take them to my house, kill an animal and get it cooked. They’re eating with me at noon.
GENESIS 43:15–17 · BSB
So the men took these gifts, along with double the amount of silver, and Benjamin as well. Then they hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.” The man did as Joseph had commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.
They’re taking us to his house. It’s the silver. They’re going to grab us, make us slaves and take the donkeys. We’re done for.
GENESIS 43:18 · BSB
But the brothers were frightened that they had been taken to Joseph’s house. “We have been brought here because of the silver that was returned in our bags the first time,” they said. “They intend to overpower us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”
They stopped me at the door. We found our silver in our sacks, we’ve brought it back, we don’t know who put it there. I told them: all is well. Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, put that treasure in your sacks. I had your payment. Then I brought Simeon out to them.
GENESIS 43:19–23 · BSB
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. “Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food. 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. We have brought additional silver with us to buy food. We do not know who put our silver in our sacks.” “It is fine,” said the steward. “Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure that was in your sacks. I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
“It is fine,” said the steward. “Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure that was in your sacks. I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
Governor’s home. They gave him the gift and bowed to the ground. He asked how they are. Then: how’s your old father, the one you told me about? Is he still alive?
GENESIS 43:26–27 · BSB
When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him. He asked if they were well, and then he asked, “How is your elderly father you told me about? Is he still alive?”
Then he sees Benjamin. His own mother’s son. Is this your youngest brother? God bless you, son. And he has to get out of the room, fast, because he’s about to cry. He goes to his own room and cries. Then he washes his face, comes back out, holds it together and says: serve the food.
GENESIS 43:29–31 · BSB
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.” Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep. Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”
Three tables. The governor on his own, the Hebrews at one, us Egyptians at another. Egyptians won’t eat with Hebrews. It’s a whole thing here.
GENESIS 43:32 · BSB
They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.
They served from his table. I got five portions. Everyone else got one. No complaints.
GENESIS 43:34 · BSB
When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.
Last night’s orders from the governor. Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry. Put each man’s silver back in. And put his cup, the silver one, his own, in the youngest one’s sack.
GENESIS 44:1–2 · BSB
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.
The governor’s sent me after them. They were barely out of the city. Asked them what he told me to ask: why have you repaid kindness like this? That is the governor’s own cup.
GENESIS 44:4–6 · BSB
They had not gone far from the city when Joseph told his steward, “Pursue the men at once, and when you overtake them, ask, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’” When the steward overtook them, he relayed these words to them.
We brought back the silver we found last time, all the way from Canaan! Why would we steal from his house? If any of us has it, he dies, and the rest of us are your slaves.
GENESIS 44:7–9 · BSB
“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.”
Every sack on the ground. Searched from the oldest down to the youngest.
GENESIS 44:11–12 · BSB
So each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest—and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city. So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
They’re back. All eleven Hebrews, flat on the ground in front of the governor. He asked them what they thought they were doing. Don’t you know a man like me finds things out?
GENESIS 44:14–15 · BSB
When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground before him. “What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?”
Told him: what can we say? How can we clear ourselves? God has found out what we did. We’re your slaves now, all of us, not just the one with the cup.
GENESIS 44:16 · BSB
“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.”
He said no. Only the one who had the cup stays as his slave. The rest are free to go home to their father.
GENESIS 44:17 · BSB
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.”
Went up to him and asked to speak. Told him everything. Our old father. The boy’s brother, dead. How he’s the only one of his mother’s sons left, and Dad loves him. How Dad said if anything happens to this one too, it’ll put him in his grave. Dad’s whole life is wrapped up in that boy.
GENESIS 44:18–31 · BSB
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?’ And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’ Then you told your servants, ‘Bring him down to me so that I can see him for myself.’ So we said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father. If he were to leave, his father would die.’ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your younger brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.’ Now when we returned to your servant my father, we relayed your words to him. Then our father said, ‘Go back and buy us some food.’ But we answered, ‘We cannot go down there unless our younger brother goes with us. So if our younger brother is not with us, we cannot see the man.’ And your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me two sons. When one of them was gone, I said: “Surely he has been torn to pieces.” And I have not seen him since. Now if you also take this one from me and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.’ 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.
I promised Dad I’d bring him back. So I asked him: keep me as your slave instead of the boy. Let him go home with his brothers. How could I go back to my father without him? I can’t watch what it would do to him.
GENESIS 44:32–34 · BSB
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.’ Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.”
Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers.
He’s just sent every one of us out of the room. All of us. Only the Hebrews are still in there with him.
GENESIS 45:1 · BSB
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.
Two years of famine so far, and five more to come. No ploughing, no harvest. God sent me ahead of you to save your lives and keep your families alive. So it wasn’t you who sent me here. It was God. He’s made me like a father to Pharaoh, and ruler of all Egypt.
GENESIS 45:6–8 · BSB
For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them. And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.
And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes. 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.
returned to his brothers, and said, “The boy is gone! What am I going to do?” 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!
Hurry home and tell my father: God has put your son in charge of all Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t wait. You’ll live in Goshen, close to me. Your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, everything. There are five more years of famine, and I’ll look after you.
GENESIS 45:9–11 · BSB
Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own. And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’
You can see it’s really me talking to you. Benjamin, you can see it’s me. Tell Dad everything you’ve seen here. And bring him down quickly.
GENESIS 45:12–13 · BSB
Behold! You and my brother Benjamin can see that I, Joseph, am the one speaking with you. Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt and everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
Told Joseph to tell his brothers: load up, go home to Canaan, and bring your father and your families back here. I’ll give you the best of Egypt. You’ll eat the best the land has.
GENESIS 45:17–18 · BSB
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan. Then bring your father and your families and return to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat from the fat of the land.’
And take wagons from Egypt for your children and your wives. Don’t worry about your things. The best of all Egypt is yours.
GENESIS 45:19–20 · BSB
You are also directed to tell them: ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children and your wives, and bring your father and come back. But pay no regard to your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”
Loading up. Wagons, food for the road, new clothes for every brother. And for the youngest: three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of clothes.
GENESIS 45:21–22 · BSB
So the sons of Israel did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.
Egyptian wagons coming up the road. And donkeys, loads of them. It’s Jacob’s sons.
GENESIS 45:23; GENESIS 45:25 · BSB
And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey. So the brothers went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
