Genesis 42:35

Authorized King James Version

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And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

Original Language Analysis

וַיְהִ֗י H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הֵ֚ם H1992
הֵ֚ם
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 2 of 16
they (only used when emphatic)
מְרִיקִ֣ים And it came to pass as they emptied H7324
מְרִיקִ֣ים And it came to pass as they emptied
Strong's: H7324
Word #: 3 of 16
to pour out (literally or figuratively), i.e., empty
בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ their sacks H8242
בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ their sacks
Strong's: H8242
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
וְהִנֵּה H2009
וְהִנֵּה
Strong's: H2009
Word #: 5 of 16
lo!
אִ֥ישׁ that behold every man's H376
אִ֥ישׁ that behold every man's
Strong's: H376
Word #: 6 of 16
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)
צְרֹר֧וֹת bundle H6872
צְרֹר֧וֹת bundle
Strong's: H6872
Word #: 7 of 16
a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package)
כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם of money H3701
כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם of money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 8 of 16
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ their sacks H8242
בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ their sacks
Strong's: H8242
Word #: 9 of 16
properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
וַיִּרְא֞וּ saw H7200
וַיִּרְא֞וּ saw
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 10 of 16
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צְרֹר֧וֹת bundle H6872
צְרֹר֧וֹת bundle
Strong's: H6872
Word #: 12 of 16
a parcel (as packed up); also a kernel or particle (as if a package)
כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם of money H3701
כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם of money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 13 of 16
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
הֵ֥מָּה H1992
הֵ֥מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 14 of 16
they (only used when emphatic)
וַֽאֲבִיהֶ֖ם and when both they and their father H1
וַֽאֲבִיהֶ֖ם and when both they and their father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 15 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וַיִּירָֽאוּ׃ they were afraid H3372
וַיִּירָֽאוּ׃ they were afraid
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 16 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

Analysis & Commentary

And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in hi... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal:

  1. God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions
  2. suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment
  3. forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation
  4. God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people
  5. how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes.

Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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