Genesis 43:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לָֽקְח֥וּ

H3947

and they took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙

H376

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

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּנְחָ֣ה

H4503

present

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַזֹּ֔את

H2063

that

this (often used adverb)

וּמִשְׁנֶה

H4932

double

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

H3701

money

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לָֽקְח֥וּ

H3947

and they took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְיָדָ֖ם

H3027

in their hand

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

#10

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#11

בִּנְיָמִ֑ן

H1144

and Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#12

וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙

H6965

and rose up

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#13

וַיֵּֽרְד֣וּ

H3381

and went down

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

#14

מִצְרַ֔יִם

H4714

to Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

#15

וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#16

לִפְנֵ֥י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#17

יוֹסֵֽף׃

H3130

Joseph

joseph, the name of seven israelites

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 revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 43 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?

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