Genesis 42:28

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לֵאמֹ֔ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
אָחִיו֙
to another
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#4
הוּשַׁ֣ב
is restored
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#5
כַּסְפִּ֔י
My money
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#6
וְגַ֖ם
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#7
הִנֵּ֣ה
and lo
lo!
#8
בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י
it is even in my sack
properly, something expansive, i.e., a bag
#9
וַיֵּצֵ֣א
failed
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#10
לִבָּ֗ם
and their heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#11
וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּ
them and they were afraid
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
#12
אִ֤ישׁ
one
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#13
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#14
אָחִיו֙
to another
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#15
לֵאמֹ֔ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#16
מַה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#17
זֹּ֛את
this (often used adverb)
#18
עָשָׂ֥ה
hath done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#19
אֱלֹהִ֖ים
What is this that God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#20
לָֽנוּ׃
H0

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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