Genesis 43 explained: Benjamin Goes Down to Egypt

Judah makes a pledge (vv. 1-10)

The Egyptian official, who is secretly their brother Joseph, had refused to see them again without Benjamin, so the family must risk him or starve. Judah, the brother who once proposed selling Joseph, now offers to carry the blame for life if Benjamin does not come home.

Jacob gives in (vv. 11-15)

Jacob sends gifts of Canaan's prized goods, since it was customary not to approach a powerful person empty-handed, plus double silver to repay the money mysteriously returned in their sacks. He ends by resigning himself to losing his children if it comes to that, a father who has already lost one beloved son and is bracing to lose another.

Fear at Joseph's house (vv. 16-25)

Being taken to the official's private home terrifies the brothers, who assume they are about to be accused of theft over the silver and made slaves. The steward calms them, says their God must have put the money there, and releases their brother Simeon, who had been held since the first trip.

Joseph sees Benjamin (vv. 26-31)

The brothers bow to the ground, echoing Joseph's boyhood dreams that his family would one day bow to him. Seeing Benjamin, his only full brother and the other son of their mother Rachel, overwhelms Joseph, so he slips away to weep in private before composing himself.

A strange and lavish meal (vv. 32-34)

Egyptians would not eat with Hebrews, though the exact reason is unclear, and the brothers are amazed to be seated exactly in birth order. Many readers see Benjamin's fivefold portion as a quiet test of whether the brothers will resent a favored youngest son as they once resented Joseph.

Key verse: Genesis 43:9

Something to think about

If someone who had once done serious harm offered to take full responsibility for another person's safety, what would it take for you to believe they had really changed?