They could not have foreseen Joseph’s demand for Benjamin, nor did they suspect Joseph’s hidden identity.
They explained to their father Jacob, “But they said, ‘The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, “Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?” So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, “Bring your brother down”?’” (v.7). Here, “the man” refers to Joseph, though they do not yet realize he is their brother. The intense questioning related to their family’s well-being illustrates Joseph’s deep concern for his father, Jacob, who was living in the land of Canaan. Canaan, located in the region encompassing modern-day Israel and surrounding areas, was the chosen homeland for Jacob’s family following the covenant established with Abraham centuries prior (Genesis 17:8). In this moment, the brothers are simply recounting each detail to Jacob, clarifying that their honesty about their family status was compelled by Joseph’s pointed inquiry.
From a historical vantage, Joseph (born around 1914 BC, though dates vary in scholarship) was the eleventh son of Jacob (later renamed Israel around 1906 BC) and was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:26-28). Unknown to them at the time, Joseph had risen to power in Egypt and was testing his brothers to see if they had changed. Their statement in this verse shows the fragile tension of discovering whether they could trust this Egyptian official and how they must rely on God’s sovereignty for any favorable outcome Romans 8:28). In the grand narrative of Scripture, this scenario foreshadows how God can use unexpected circumstances to fulfill His promises, a theme later echoed in the New Testament through Jesus Christ's redemptive work John 1:29).
They seem bewildered by Joseph’s insistence on meeting their youngest brother, Benjamin, and they defend themselves by pointing out they could not have known he would demand Benjamin’s presence. This reveals the brothers’ sense of helplessness yet also God’s orchestration in moving the story forward. Their attempt to assuage their father’s concerns highlights the importance of family unity and faithfulness, anticipating the eventual reconciliation that would occur under Joseph’s compassionate leadership.
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Genesis 43:7 meaning
They explained to their father Jacob, “But they said, ‘The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, “Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?” So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, “Bring your brother down”?’” (v.7). Here, “the man” refers to Joseph, though they do not yet realize he is their brother. The intense questioning related to their family’s well-being illustrates Joseph’s deep concern for his father, Jacob, who was living in the land of Canaan. Canaan, located in the region encompassing modern-day Israel and surrounding areas, was the chosen homeland for Jacob’s family following the covenant established with Abraham centuries prior (Genesis 17:8). In this moment, the brothers are simply recounting each detail to Jacob, clarifying that their honesty about their family status was compelled by Joseph’s pointed inquiry.
From a historical vantage, Joseph (born around 1914 BC, though dates vary in scholarship) was the eleventh son of Jacob (later renamed Israel around 1906 BC) and was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:26-28). Unknown to them at the time, Joseph had risen to power in Egypt and was testing his brothers to see if they had changed. Their statement in this verse shows the fragile tension of discovering whether they could trust this Egyptian official and how they must rely on God’s sovereignty for any favorable outcome Romans 8:28). In the grand narrative of Scripture, this scenario foreshadows how God can use unexpected circumstances to fulfill His promises, a theme later echoed in the New Testament through Jesus Christ's redemptive work John 1:29).
They seem bewildered by Joseph’s insistence on meeting their youngest brother, Benjamin, and they defend themselves by pointing out they could not have known he would demand Benjamin’s presence. This reveals the brothers’ sense of helplessness yet also God’s orchestration in moving the story forward. Their attempt to assuage their father’s concerns highlights the importance of family unity and faithfulness, anticipating the eventual reconciliation that would occur under Joseph’s compassionate leadership.