They fearfully offered an honest explanation and brought back extra silver, demonstrating a posture of repentance and integrity.
“We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” (v.22) In this verse, Joseph’s brothers speak to Joseph’s household steward in Egypt, trying to explain a puzzling situation regarding the money they discovered in their sacks after their first journey to buy grain. At this point in history (around the early 1800s BC), Egypt was the major storehouse of food, due to Joseph’s wise administration under Pharaoh’s authority. Joseph himself was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt, where he rose to power after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. When his brothers returned to buy more grain during the famine, they took extra money to settle any appearance of dishonesty, saying plainly, “we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” (v.22) Their statement reveals both their fear and their desire to make things right.
Egypt, where these events occurred, lay southwest of Canaan, the region Joseph’s family called home. By traveling south to purchase nourishment, the brothers placed themselves at Joseph’s mercy, unaware that the Egyptian official they were dealing with was the brother they had wronged years before. Their words, “We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food,” (v.22) reflect their attempt at fairness. Rather than risk being accused of theft, they brought more money to ensure they covered what they owed. This sense of worry reflects the tension in their relationship with an unknown Egyptian authority, who, in reality, understood everything about their predicament. In those days, traveling to Egypt meant crossing desert regions and dealing with officials who had absolute power over food distribution (see how Joseph’s presence in Egypt is noted in Genesis 37, also referenced in Exodus, where Joseph’s lineage is recounted).
Thematically, this verse highlights the ongoing reconciliation process between Joseph and his brothers. After selling him into slavery decades earlier, they now stand before him—unaware of his identity—seeking mercy and redemption. Their mention of discovering silver in their sacks underscores how God, unseen yet active, orchestrates events to bring broken relationships toward restoration. It also foreshadows the moment when they will finally recognize Joseph and mend the family bonds (Genesis 45).
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Genesis 43:22 meaning
“We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” (v.22) In this verse, Joseph’s brothers speak to Joseph’s household steward in Egypt, trying to explain a puzzling situation regarding the money they discovered in their sacks after their first journey to buy grain. At this point in history (around the early 1800s BC), Egypt was the major storehouse of food, due to Joseph’s wise administration under Pharaoh’s authority. Joseph himself was sold into slavery by his brothers and ended up in Egypt, where he rose to power after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. When his brothers returned to buy more grain during the famine, they took extra money to settle any appearance of dishonesty, saying plainly, “we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” (v.22) Their statement reveals both their fear and their desire to make things right.
Egypt, where these events occurred, lay southwest of Canaan, the region Joseph’s family called home. By traveling south to purchase nourishment, the brothers placed themselves at Joseph’s mercy, unaware that the Egyptian official they were dealing with was the brother they had wronged years before. Their words, “We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food,” (v.22) reflect their attempt at fairness. Rather than risk being accused of theft, they brought more money to ensure they covered what they owed. This sense of worry reflects the tension in their relationship with an unknown Egyptian authority, who, in reality, understood everything about their predicament. In those days, traveling to Egypt meant crossing desert regions and dealing with officials who had absolute power over food distribution (see how Joseph’s presence in Egypt is noted in Genesis 37, also referenced in Exodus, where Joseph’s lineage is recounted).
Thematically, this verse highlights the ongoing reconciliation process between Joseph and his brothers. After selling him into slavery decades earlier, they now stand before him—unaware of his identity—seeking mercy and redemption. Their mention of discovering silver in their sacks underscores how God, unseen yet active, orchestrates events to bring broken relationships toward restoration. It also foreshadows the moment when they will finally recognize Joseph and mend the family bonds (Genesis 45).