Genesis 43:12

Authorized King James Version

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And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

Original Language Analysis

הַכֶּ֜סֶף and the money H3701
הַכֶּ֜סֶף and the money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 1 of 14
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
מִשְׁנֶ֖ה double H4932
מִשְׁנֶ֖ה double
Strong's: H4932
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
קְח֣וּ And take H3947
קְח֣וּ And take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 3 of 14
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בְיֶדְכֶ֔ם in your hand H3027
בְיֶדְכֶ֔ם in your hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 4 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֶּ֜סֶף and the money H3701
הַכֶּ֜סֶף and the money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 6 of 14
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
תָּשִׁ֣יבוּ carry it again H7725
תָּשִׁ֣יבוּ carry it again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 7 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בְּפִ֤י in the mouth H6310
בְּפִ֤י in the mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 8 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אַמְתְּחֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ of your sacks H572
אַמְתְּחֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ of your sacks
Strong's: H572
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, something expansive, i.e., a bag
תָּשִׁ֣יבוּ carry it again H7725
תָּשִׁ֣יבוּ carry it again
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 10 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בְיֶדְכֶ֔ם in your hand H3027
בְיֶדְכֶ֔ם in your hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 11 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אוּלַ֥י H194
אוּלַ֥י
Strong's: H194
Word #: 12 of 14
if not; hence perhaps
מִשְׁגֶּ֖ה peradventure it was an oversight H4870
מִשְׁגֶּ֖ה peradventure it was an oversight
Strong's: H4870
Word #: 13 of 14
an error
הֽוּא׃ H1931
הֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 14 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks,... 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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