Genesis 43:15

Authorized King James Version

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And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Original Language Analysis

לָֽקְח֥וּ and they took H3947
לָֽקְח֥וּ and they took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ H376
הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙
Strong's: H376
Word #: 2 of 17
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)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֣ה present H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֣ה present
Strong's: H4503
Word #: 4 of 17
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
הַזֹּ֔את that H2063
הַזֹּ֔את that
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 5 of 17
this (often used adverb)
וּמִשְׁנֶה double H4932
וּמִשְׁנֶה double
Strong's: H4932
Word #: 6 of 17
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
כֶּ֛סֶף money H3701
כֶּ֛סֶף money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 7 of 17
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
לָֽקְח֥וּ and they took H3947
לָֽקְח֥וּ and they took
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 8 of 17
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בְיָדָ֖ם in their hand H3027
בְיָדָ֖ם in their hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 9 of 17
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 #: 10 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן and Benjamin H1144
בִּנְיָמִ֑ן and Benjamin
Strong's: H1144
Word #: 11 of 17
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ and rose up H6965
וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ and rose up
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 12 of 17
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַיֵּֽרְד֣וּ and went down H3381
וַיֵּֽרְד֣וּ and went down
Strong's: H3381
Word #: 13 of 17
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִצְרַ֔יִם to Egypt H4714
מִצְרַ֔יִם to Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 14 of 17
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ and stood H5975
וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ and stood
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 15 of 17
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לִפְנֵ֥י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 16 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יוֹסֵֽף׃ Joseph H3130
יוֹסֵֽף׃ Joseph
Strong's: H3130
Word #: 17 of 17
joseph, the name of seven israelites

Analysis & Commentary

And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, ... 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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