translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: GEN

label: NET study note

text: The report given here concerning Joseph’s interrogation does not exactly match the previous account where they supplied the information to clear themselves (see 42:13 ). This section may reflect how they remembered the impact of his interrogation, whether he asked the specific questions or not. That may be twisting the truth to protect themselves, not wanting to admit that they volunteered the information. (They admitted as much in 42:31 , but now they seem to be qualifying that comment.) On the other hand, when speaking to Joseph later (see 44:19 ), Judah claims that Joseph asked for the information about their family, making it possible that 42:13 leaves out some of the details of their first encounter.


text: I will bear the blame before you all my life . It is not clear how this would work out if Benjamin did not come back. But Judah is offering his life for Benjamin’s if Benjamin does not return.


text: The man refers to the Egyptian official, whom the reader or hearer of the narrative knows is Joseph. In this context both the sons and Jacob refer to him simply as “the man” (see vv. 3-7 ).


text: Several Jewish commentators suggest that the expression your other brother refers to Joseph. This would mean that Jacob prophesied unwittingly. However, it is much more likely that Simeon is the referent of the phrase “your other brother” (see Gen 42:24 ).


text: This verse is a summary statement. The next verses delineate intermediate steps (see v. 24 ) in the process.


text: Your God and the God of your father …This is the first clear reference in the story to the theme of divine providence – that God works through the human actions to do his will.


text: Joseph’s language here becomes warmer and more personal, culminating in calling Benjamin my son .


text: The brothers’ astonishment indicates that Joseph arranged them in this way. They were astonished because there was no way, as far as they were concerned, that Joseph could have known the order of their birth.