This verse shows how Joseph’s powerful position in Egypt intersected with his deep familial bonds and concern for the well-being of his younger brother.
“But you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him.’” (v.21) occurs as part of a tense exchange between Joseph’s brothers and Joseph while they are in Egypt. Egypt, located in the northeastern corner of Africa, was a major world power around the early 2nd millennium BC. During this period, it held sway over vast territories, and people from many regions came seeking to buy grain. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to power in Egypt by God’s providence (Genesis 41:39-40). At this moment in the Genesis narrative, Joseph has not yet revealed his true identity to his brothers, and his words to them reflect concern for seeing their youngest brother, Benjamin.
When Joseph says, “Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him,” (v.21) it underscores his longing to see his full-blooded brother, Benjamin. Joseph’s father, Jacob (also called Israel), had several sons, but Joseph and Benjamin were both born to Rachel, making them especially close (Genesis 35:24). Historically, Jacob and his family lived in Canaan, a region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel and surrounding areas, around 1900-1700 BC. They traveled to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine, while Joseph administered the Egyptian food distribution. His order to bring Benjamin into Egypt was a test of his brothers’ honesty and also a way to ensure the welfare of the family he loved.
This verse also foreshadows the grace and reconciliation that Joseph would eventually extend to his brothers—an early picture pointing forward to the forgiveness taught by Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34). Even though Joseph used a stern tone, his ultimate motive was to be reunited with his family. He wanted to protect Benjamin, and at the same time, see if his brothers had truly repented for the wrongs they had done in the past.
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Genesis 44:21 meaning
“But you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him.’” (v.21) occurs as part of a tense exchange between Joseph’s brothers and Joseph while they are in Egypt. Egypt, located in the northeastern corner of Africa, was a major world power around the early 2nd millennium BC. During this period, it held sway over vast territories, and people from many regions came seeking to buy grain. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, rose to power in Egypt by God’s providence (Genesis 41:39-40). At this moment in the Genesis narrative, Joseph has not yet revealed his true identity to his brothers, and his words to them reflect concern for seeing their youngest brother, Benjamin.
When Joseph says, “Bring him down to me that I may set my eyes on him,” (v.21) it underscores his longing to see his full-blooded brother, Benjamin. Joseph’s father, Jacob (also called Israel), had several sons, but Joseph and Benjamin were both born to Rachel, making them especially close (Genesis 35:24). Historically, Jacob and his family lived in Canaan, a region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel and surrounding areas, around 1900-1700 BC. They traveled to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine, while Joseph administered the Egyptian food distribution. His order to bring Benjamin into Egypt was a test of his brothers’ honesty and also a way to ensure the welfare of the family he loved.
This verse also foreshadows the grace and reconciliation that Joseph would eventually extend to his brothers—an early picture pointing forward to the forgiveness taught by Jesus Christ (Luke 23:34). Even though Joseph used a stern tone, his ultimate motive was to be reunited with his family. He wanted to protect Benjamin, and at the same time, see if his brothers had truly repented for the wrongs they had done in the past.