The Law · Chapter 43 of 50

Genesis 43

As the famine deepens, Jacob must send Benjamin to Egypt, and Judah pledges himself as surety for the boy's safe return. Laden with gifts and double money, the brothers go down and stand before Joseph, who invites them to dine at his house. Seeing Benjamin, Joseph is overcome and withdraws to weep. At the meal he honors Benjamin with a portion five times larger than the others.

What happens in Genesis 43

The famine grows severe, and Jacob tells his sons to buy more food, but Judah insists they cannot return without Benjamin, since the Egyptian governor demanded it. Jacob resists, grieving, until Judah personally guarantees the boy's safety, offering to bear the blame forever. Israel relents, sending a present of choice fruits, balm, honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds, along with double money to repay what was returned. The brothers go down with Benjamin and stand before Joseph, who orders his steward to bring them to his house for a noon meal.

Afraid, they explain the returned money to the steward, who reassures them and brings out Simeon. Joseph arrives, and when he sees Benjamin, his heart yearns so that he hurries to another room to weep, then washes his face and returns composed. At the meal the brothers are seated by age, and Benjamin's portion is five times theirs, and they feast together.

Genesis 43 in context

The returned money and Simeon's imprisonment have forced the family's hand, and only Benjamin's presence will secure more grain and Simeon's release. Jacob's reluctance to risk his youngest, the last living son of his beloved Rachel, drives the drama.

Judah's willingness to stand surety marks a turning point in his character. This chapter draws the brothers deeper into Joseph's presence and closer to the reconciliation and revelation that is coming.

Main themes of Genesis 43

Genesis 43 (KJV)

1And the famine was sore in the land. 2And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. 3And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. 4If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: 5But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. 6And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? 7And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? 8And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. 9I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: 10For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time. 11And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 12And 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: 13Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: 14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 15And 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. 16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. 17And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house. 18And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. 19And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: 21And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. 22And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. 23And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. 24And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 25And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there. 26And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 27And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? 28And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. 29And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. 30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 31And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. 32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. 33And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. 34And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Verses to carry from Genesis 43

“I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:”Genesis 43:9

“And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.”Genesis 43:30

“And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.”Genesis 43:34

Reflection

Judah, once a betrayer, now offers his own life for his brother, showing that no one is beyond God's power to change. And Joseph, weeping behind his disguise, reminds us that love often works quietly beneath what looks stern.

When you face what you dread, you may find, like these brothers, a table set and a welcome where you expected only judgment.

A prayer from Genesis 43