Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 42בראשית 42

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Jacob's sons' first descent into Egypt turns famine relief into moral exposure and the opening phase of reconciliation under concealment. Joseph's brothers come seeking grain, but the man who now rules the land immediately recognizes in their bowing the remembered pressure of his earlier dreams. He does not disclose himself. Instead, he speaks harshly, accuses them of espionage, confines them, and tests their truth by demanding the presence of Benjamin. This movement therefore binds providence, memory, guilt, fear, and measured severity together. Joseph's hidden knowledge governs the entire encounter, while the brothers begin at last to read their present distress through their past violence against him. By the end, Simeon is bound, the money returns to their sacks, the father's grief is reopened, and the household is brought to the edge of a second descent that will require the endangered younger brother. What began as a famine journey becomes the first judicial and restorative pressure point in the reunion story.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. First descent into Egypt becomes moral exposure here, as recognition without disclosure turns famine travel into judicial pressure and the brothers begin to read present distress through past guilt. Verse 1 opens with Jacob seeing that there is שֶׁבֶר in Egypt, a term that can denote grain bought in the context of shortage and should retain its concrete economic force. Jacob's question in verse 1, לָמָּה תִּתְרָאוּ, is famously compact and may suggest staring at one another helplessly, making yourselves conspicuous, or lingering in inaction; the line should preserve its urgency rather than flattening it into a mild rebuke. Verse 4's protection of Benjamin is crucial, since Jacob explicitly fears אָסוֹן, disaster, thus repeating the endangered-younger-son pattern that will govern the rest of the sequence. Verse 6 is the narrative hinge: Joseph is both the ruler over the land and the one selling to the people of the land, and the brothers' bowing with faces to the earth must remain visibly connected to the earlier dreams. Verses 7-8 stage the asymmetry of recognition: Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they do not recognize him. Verse 9 explicitly ties the encounter to remembered dreams and should not be reduced to a generic recollection. Joseph's accusation that they are spies come to see the land's nakedness in verses 9 and 12 is deliberately severe; עֶרְוַת הָאָרֶץ should retain the sense of exposed vulnerability rather than a merely neutral survey. In verses 11-13 the brothers' self-defense introduces the compressed but crucial line וְהָאֶחָד אֵינֶנּוּ, where Joseph hears himself described as the missing one. Verses 15-16 invoke חֵי פַרְעֹה as oath language in an Egyptian court setting, and the testing formula תִּבָּחֵנוּ frames the whole exchange as probation rather than random hostility. Verse 18's אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים אֲנִי יָרֵא is central: Joseph's measured revision of the terms is explicitly grounded in fear of God, so his severity must not be read as sheer vindictiveness. In verses 21-22 the brothers' confession is one of the narrative's great moral turns. Their language about the distress of Joseph's soul when he pleaded with them retrospectively interprets Genesis 37, and Reuben's response adds blood-guilt language through נִדְרָשׁ. Verse 23's note that Joseph understood them because the interpreter stood between them is essential to the dramatic irony. Verse 24's taking and binding of Simeon before their eyes should preserve the public, didactic force of the act. In verse 25 Joseph's command to return each man's money, fill the vessels with grain, and provide provisions for the way shows that judgment and care are simultaneously operating. The returned money scenes in verses 27-28 and 35 should retain both fear and theological bewilderment, climaxing in the question, 'What is this that God has done to us?' Verses 36-38 return the whole matter to Jacob's grief-struck perspective. His cry that Joseph is not, Simeon is not, and Benjamin will be taken gathers perceived losses into one fatherly lament, while Reuben's offer of his own two sons in verse 37 remains morally desperate rather than wise. The closing refusal to send Benjamin must preserve the full weight of Jacob's fear, old age, and threatened descent to Sheol in sorrow. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיַּ֣רְא יַעֲקֹ֔ב כִּ֥י יֶשׁ שֶׁ֖בֶר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ לְבָנָ֔יו לָ֖מָּה תִּתְרָאֽוּ

And Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, 'Why do you keep looking at one another?'

Narrative onset: Jacob perceives provision in EgyptAnd
Jacob's sight of grain in Egypt turns famine pressure into action and exposes his sons' paralysis before he breaks it.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּ֣רְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; Qal initiates narrative with purposive perception.
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobprop N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subjectיַעֲקֹב (H3290), patriarch, son of Isaac; his perception drives the descent.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complement conj (content clause)כִּי (H3588) introduces content of perception; subordinates the existential clause.
יֶשׁthere isexist particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential predicateיֵשׁ (H3426) particle of existence; asserts grain's availability in Egypt.
שֶׁ֖בֶרgrainN m sg abs · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Subject of existential clauseשֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain, purchase of grain'; from שָׁבַר 'to break/buy'; economic term here.
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + prop N · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; dual form; the place of grain becomes the place of destiny.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-introduction formula in narrative.
יַעֲקֹב֙Jacobprop N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject (speech verb)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); repeated for narrative clarity as he addresses his sons.
לְבָנָ֔יוto his sonsprep לְ + N m pl cstr + 3ms suf · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object (recipient)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl cstr with 3ms suf designates Jacob's household as audience.
לָ֖מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrogative · מָה (H4100)Interrogative adverb (direct question)לָמָּה (l + H4100) 'why?'; rebuke embedded in question, exposing their paralysis.
תִּתְרָאֽוּdo you stareHitpoel impf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate (interrogative clause)→ Yiqtol imperfective: habitual/ongoing inactionרָאָה in Hitpoel (H7200) 'to look at one another'; mutual helpless gazing under famine pressure.
2

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּ֣ה שָׁמַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֥י יֶשׁ שֶׁ֖בֶר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם רְדוּ שָׁ֨מָּה֙ וְשִׁבְרוּ לָ֣נוּ מִשָּׁ֔ם וְנִחְיֶ֖ה וְלֹ֥א נָמֽוּת

And he said, 'Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy for us from there, that we may live and not die.'

Directive for survivalAnd he said
Jacob converts report into command: they must descend, buy grain, and live rather than perish under famine.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Jacob's perception in v1 becomes directive speech here.
הִנֵּ֣הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Attention particle (fronted)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'look, behold'; draws attention to fresh information just received.
שָׁמַ֔עְתִּיI have heardQal perf 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed hearing that grounds the commandשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, report'; basis for Jacob's authority to command descent.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complement conj (content clause)כִּי (H3588) introduces indirect object of שָׁמַע; content heard.
יֶשׁthere isexist particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential predicateיֵשׁ (H3426); repeats the existential assertion of v1 now as reported speech.
שֶׁ֖בֶרgrainN m sg abs · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Subject of existential clauseשֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain'; the word twice in two verses cements the narrative urgency.
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + prop N · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714); Egypt named again as the only viable source of supply.
רְדוּgo downQal impv 2mp · יָרַד (H3381)Main imperative (direct command)→ Volitional: urgent commandיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; geo-directional from highland Canaan to lowland Egypt.
שָׁ֨מָּה֙thereadverb + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Directional adverbשָׁמָּה (H8033 + dir ה) 'thither, to that place'; reinforces the destination.
וְשִׁבְרוּand buy grainconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · שָׁבַר (H7666)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: direct command coordinated with רְדוּשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; commerce verb distinct from grain-word שֶׁבֶר (H7668) by context.
לָ֣נוּfor usprep לְ + 1cp suf · לְBenefactive dativeלְ + 1cp pronominal suf; the whole household, not just the sons, depends on this purchase.
מִשָּׁ֔םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Ablative source phraseמִשָּׁם (מִן + H8033) 'from there'; Egypt is source; establishes return direction.
וְנִחְיֶ֖הthat we may liveconj וְ + Qal impf/cohort 1cp · חָיָה (H2421)Purpose/result clause (weqatal)→ Imperfective/purposive: intended outcome of obedienceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; famine context makes life the explicit stake of the descent.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negationלֹא (H3808) standard negation; paired with וְנִחְיֶה as positive-negative merism.
נָמֽוּתwe will dieQal impf 1cp · מוּת (H4191)Negated imperfect (parallel purpose)→ Yiqtol imperfective: feared outcome negated by imperative obedienceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the anti-purpose clause — survival vs. famine death.
3

וַיֵּרְד֥וּ אֲחֵֽי יוֹסֵ֖ף עֲשָׂרָ֑ה לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר בָּ֖ר מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

And ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.

First descent to EgyptAnd
Ten brothers begin the journey that famine compels, unknowingly entering Joseph's sphere of rule.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֵּרְד֥וּand they went downQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; immediate obedience to Jacob's imperative in v2.
אֲחֵֽיbrothers ofN m pl cstr · אָח (H251)Subject (construct chain head)אָח (H251) 'brother'; pl cstr governing יוֹסֵף — the ten brothers unnamed at this point.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of construct chainיוֹסֵף (H3130); naming him here connects the travelers to the ruler they will meet.
עֲשָׂרָ֑הtencardinal num f sg abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Appositive numeralעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; appositive defining the group — Benjamin's absence implied.
לִשְׁבֹּ֥רto buy grainprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · שָׁבַר (H7666)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: purpose of descentשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; purpose inf marking the commercial intent of the journey.
בָּ֖רgrainN m sg abs · בַּר (H1250)Object of buying (inf)בַּר (H1250) 'grain, cereal'; Aramaic loanword or cognate; used here alongside שֶׁבֶר.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + prop N · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Ablative source phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714); Egypt as the only source of grain during the famine.
4

וְאֶת בִּנְיָמִין֙ אֲחִ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף לֹא שָׁלַ֥ח יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶת אֶחָ֑יו כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר פֶּן יִקְרָאֶ֖נּוּ אָסֽוֹן

But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he said, 'Lest disaster befall him.'

Benjamin withheldBut
Jacob's fear concentrates on Benjamin, so the younger Rachel-son is kept back under the threat of possible disaster.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating conj + direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; fronted with conj marking Benjamin as topic-contrast to the ten.
בִּנְיָמִין֙Benjaminprop N · בִּנְיָמִין (H1144)Fronted direct object (topic)בִּנְיָמִין (H1144), youngest son of Rachel and Jacob; his protection drives this verse.
אֲחִ֣יbrother ofN m sg cstr · אָח (H251)Appositive construct (identification)אָח (H251) 'brother'; cstr governing יוֹסֵף — identifies Benjamin as Joseph's full brother.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of construct chainיוֹסֵף (H3130); shared Rachel-son bond marks Benjamin as Joseph's replacement in Jacob's eyes.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of main verbלֹא (H3808) standard negation; governs שָׁלַח — Jacob's refusal is total.
שָׁלַ֥חdid sendQal perf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective: completed decision not to sendשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Jacob deliberately withholds Benjamin from the group.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobprop N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject (postverbal)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); subject placed after negated verb for emphasis on his agency.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) 'with, together with'; comitative prep distinct from obj marker H853.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Object of comitative prepאָח (H251) 'brother'; pl with 3ms suf referring to the ten who descend.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal here; introduces Jacob's stated reason for withholding Benjamin.
אָמַ֔רhe saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (embedded speech)→ Perfective: prior decision expressed in speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; here introducing inner speech that explains the withholding.
פֶּןlestneg conj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, for fear that'; introduces feared contingency about Benjamin's fate.
יִקְרָאֶ֖נּוּshould befall himQal impf 3ms + 3ms suf · קָרָא (H7122)Predicate of negative purpose clause→ Yiqtol: feared potential eventקָרָא (H7122) 'to meet, befall'; used of disaster befalling someone; subject is אָסוֹן.
אָסֽוֹןdisasterN m sg abs · אָסוֹן (H611)Subject of feared eventאָסוֹן (H611) 'disaster, fatal harm'; rare word; recalls H611 used at Joseph's pit (Gen 42:38).
5

וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִשְׁבֹּ֖ר בְּת֣וֹךְ הַבָּאִ֑ים כִּֽי הָיָ֥ה הָרָעָ֖ב בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן

And the sons of Israel came to buy among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Journey amid wider famine trafficAnd
The sons of Israel travel among many other buyers, which places their family need inside a larger regional crisis.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙and they cameQal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; arrival in Egypt begins the encounter sequence.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the group is now named as יִשְׂרָאֵל's sons, not Joseph's brothers.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelprop N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); patriarch name emphasizes covenantal identity of the group entering Egypt.
לִשְׁבֹּ֖רto buy grainprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · שָׁבַר (H7666)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: purpose of comingשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; third use of this root in three verses — thematic repetition.
בְּת֣וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative phrase (among buyers)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; situates Israel's sons within wider famine migration.
הַבָּאִ֑יםthose comingart + Qal ptc m pl abs · בּוֹא (H935)Substantival participle (genitive)→ Participle: characterizing the arriving crowdבּוֹא (H935) ptc as noun 'those who come'; the brothers blend into famine traffic.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal; the brothers' need explained by the following clause.
הָיָ֥הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (stative)→ Perfective: established state of famineהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; stative perf describing ongoing famine condition as background.
הָרָעָ֖בthe famineart + N m sg abs · רָעָב (H7458)Subjectרָעָב (H7458) 'famine, hunger'; the word governing the entire narrative backdrop.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the famine is in Canaan itself, compelling the descent.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanprop N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); home territory under famine; the contrast with grain-rich Egypt is stark.
6

וְיוֹסֵ֗ף ה֚וּא הַשַּׁלִּ֣יט עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ ה֥וּא הַמַּשְׁבִּ֖יר לְכָל עַ֣ם הָאָ֑רֶץ וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙ אֲחֵ֣י יוֹסֵ֔ף וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ ל֥וֹ אַפַּ֖יִם אָֽרְצָה

And Joseph, he was the ruler over the land; he was the one selling to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves to him with their faces to the ground.

Dream fulfillment in concealed formAnd
The brothers bow before Joseph exactly as the dreams anticipated, but the scene is framed by his unrecognized rule over the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְיוֹסֵ֗ףnow Josephconj וְ + prop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Topic-fronted subject (circumstantial)יוֹסֵף (H3130); narrative pause introduces Joseph's status before the encounter.
ה֚וּאhe3ms pers pron · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject (nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) emphatic pronoun; 'he himself' — stresses that Joseph personally holds the power.
הַשַּׁלִּ֣יטthe rulerart + adj m sg abs · שַׁלִּיט (H7989)Predicate of nominal clauseשַׁלִּיט (H7989) 'ruler, one who has authority'; Joseph in supreme administrative role over Egypt.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (domain)עַל (H5921) 'over, upon'; marks the territory of Joseph's jurisdiction.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prep (domain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'the land'; Egypt's whole territory under Joseph's grain administration.
ה֥וּאhe3ms pers pron · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject (second nominal clause)הוּא (H1931); repeated pronoun for a second predication — he is both ruler and grain-seller.
הַמַּשְׁבִּ֖ירthe one selling grainart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · שָׁבַר (H7666)Predicate participle (nominal clause)→ Participle: characterizing ongoing official roleשָׁבַר Hiphil (H7666) 'to sell grain'; ptc as occupational title; Joseph dispenses grain.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Indirect object phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; Joseph sells to the entire population — comprehensive authority.
עַ֣םpeople ofN m sg cstr · עַם (H5971)Construct head (genitive chain)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; pl construct anticipating הָאָרֶץ as genitive.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); 'people of the land' = populace of Egypt under famine pressure.
וַיָּבֹ֨אוּ֙and they cameQal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (narrative pivot)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to key encounterבּוֹא (H935); their arrival before Joseph fulfills the dream-bow pattern of Gen 37.
אֲחֵ֣יbrothers ofN m pl cstr · אָח (H251)Subject (construct head)אָח (H251) 'brother'; now labeled as Joseph's brothers, not Israel's sons — irony intensifies.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Genitive of construct chainיוֹסֵף (H3130); they come to the brother they sold — the narrative's dramatic hinge.
וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּand bowed downHitpael wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (dream-fulfillment)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (fulfillment moment)שָׁחָה (H7812) 'to bow down, prostrate'; Gen 37:7,9 dream now visibly enacted before Joseph.
ל֥וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect object (recipient of bow)לְ + 3ms suf; the pronoun points to the ruler unrecognized as their brother.
אַפַּ֖יִםfacesN m dual abs · אַף (H639)Adverbial accusative (body part)אַף (H639) 'face, nostril'; dual אַפַּיִם 'both faces'; posture of extreme deference.
אָֽרְצָהto the groundN c sg abs + dir ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional complement (prostration)אֶרֶץ (H776) + dir ה 'earthward'; prostration to the ground — total submission before the ruler.
7

וַיַּ֥רְא יוֹסֵ֛ף אֶת אֶחָ֖יו וַיַּכִּרֵ֑ם וַיִּתְנַכֵּ֨ר אֲלֵיהֶ֜ם וַיְדַבֵּ֧ר אִתָּ֣ם קָשׁ֗וֹת וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מֵאַ֣יִן בָּאתֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנַ֖עַן לִשְׁבָּר אֹֽכֶל

And Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he made himself unrecognizable to them and spoke harshly with them; and he said to them, 'From where have you come?' And they said, 'From the land of Canaan, to buy food.'

Recognition without disclosureAnd
Joseph recognizes them at once yet chooses concealment and severity, turning the first encounter into an interrogation.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיַּ֥רְאand he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); Joseph's seeing here is instant recognition, unlike his brothers' failure in v8.
יוֹסֵ֛ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as subject to contrast his recognition with their ignorance in v8.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object אֶחָיו.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Direct objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; pl + 3ms suf; their relation to him is clear to reader and to Joseph.
וַיַּכִּרֵ֑םand recognized themHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suf · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (recognition)→ Wayyiqtol: immediate, decisive recognitionנָכַר Hiphil (H5234) 'to recognize, identify'; Joseph knows them at once — full knowledge.
וַיִּתְנַכֵּ֨רbut disguised himselfHitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (concealment)→ Wayyiqtol: deliberate counter-actionנָכַר Hitpael (H5234) 'to disguise, make oneself strange'; opposite of recognition — chosen concealment.
אֲלֵיהֶ֜םtoward themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; his disguise is directed at them — relational, deliberate concealment.
וַיְדַבֵּ֧רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (speech onset)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (escalation to speech)דָּבַר Piel (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel often emphatic/sustained speech; he speaks harshly below.
אִתָּ֣םwith themprep + 3mp suf · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; Joseph enters dialogue while maintaining concealment.
קָשׁ֗וֹתharsh thingsadj f pl abs · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Adverbial accusative (manner)קָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, harsh'; f pl used adverbially — he spoke harsh words/harshly.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to direct speechאָמַר (H559); speech-intro resumes after the manner-description of harsh speech.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient)אֶל (H413); repeated directionality — his interrogation targets them specifically.
מֵאַ֣יִןfrom whereprep מִן + interrogative · אַיִן (H370)Interrogative adverb (origin)אַיִן (H370) 'where?'; + מִן = 'from where?'; Joseph feigns ignorance of their origin.
בָּאתֶ֔םhave you comeQal perf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (interrogative)→ Perfective: completed action interrogatedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; their coming is the subject of the accusation Joseph will now make.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (response)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (brothers reply)אָמַר (H559); the brothers' innocent answer sets up the spy-accusation to follow.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Ablative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; they identify their origin as the land of Canaan.
כְּנַ֖עַןCanaanprop N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); homeland named; their straight answer prepares for Joseph's counter-accusation.
לִשְׁבָּרto buy foodprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · שָׁבַר (H7666)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: purpose of comingשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; they state the obvious commercial purpose.
אֹֽכֶלfoodN m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Object of buying (inf)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food, sustenance'; from אָכַל 'to eat'; broader term than בַּר or שֶׁבֶר.
8

וַיַּכֵּ֥ר יוֹסֵ֖ף אֶת אֶחָ֑יו וְהֵ֖ם לֹ֥א הִכִּרֻֽהוּ

And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

Asymmetry of recognitionAnd
The imbalance is complete: Joseph knows them fully, but they cannot identify the brother before whom they stand.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיַּכֵּ֥רand he recognizedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative statementנָכַר Hiphil (H5234) 'to recognize'; repeated from v7 — the narrative underlines Joseph's full knowledge.
יוֹסֵ֖ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); named again — the asymmetry of the verse pivots on the contrast with הֵם.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks אֶחָיו as definite direct object.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Direct objectאָח (H251); 'his brothers' — the object of his recognition; he knows what they cannot see.
וְהֵ֖םbut theyconj וְ + 3mp pers pron · הֵם (H1992)Contrastive subject (adversative clause)הֵם (H1992) 'they'; adversative conj — sharp contrast between Joseph's knowledge and their blindness.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of main verbלֹא (H3808) standard negation; negates הִכִּרֻהוּ — their failure to recognize is total.
הִכִּרֻֽהוּrecognized himHiphil perf 3cp + 3ms suf · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (negated)→ Perfective: completed failure to recognizeנָכַר Hiphil (H5234) + 3ms suf; the same verb as v7-8a now negated — irony of the chapter.
9

וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר יוֹסֵ֔ף אֵ֚ת הַחֲלֹמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָלַ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מְרַגְּלִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם לִרְא֛וֹת אֶת עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶֽם

And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, 'You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.'

Dreams remembered and accusation launchedAnd
The remembered dreams interpret the scene for Joseph, and he uses the charge of espionage to press them under testing.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּזְכֹּ֣רand he rememberedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (internal)זָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; the memory of dreams determines Joseph's entire course of action.
יוֹסֵ֔ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); his inner act of memory is the narrative's interpretive key.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הַחֲלֹמוֹת as definite object of זָכַר.
הַחֲלֹמ֔וֹתthe dreamsart + N m pl abs · חֲלוֹם (H2472)Direct objectחֲלוֹם (H2472) 'dream'; pl with art — the specific prophetic dreams of Gen 37:5-9 recalled.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (antecedent: dreams)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; links the dreams to the dreaming event in Gen 37.
חָלַ֖םhe had dreamedQal perf 3ms · חָלַם (H2492)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: prior completed dreamingחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; the earlier dream events now semantically activated by the bowing scene.
לָהֶ֑םabout themprep לְ + 3mp suf · לְReference complementלְ + 3mp suf; 'about/concerning them' — the dreams directly featured the brothers bowing.
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to accusationאָמַר (H559); the remembered dreams immediately convert to accusatory speech.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to'; speech directed at those whose bowing just fulfilled the dream.
מְרַגְּלִ֣יםspiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate (nominal accusation)→ Participle: characterizing their identity as accusationרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy, reconnoiter'; ptc as occupational accusation — a capital charge in Egypt.
אַתֶּ֔םyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of nominal clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you' (pl); the pronoun makes the accusation direct and confrontational.
לִרְא֛וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: stated purpose of the spiesרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; their purpose, per Joseph's accusation, is intelligence-gathering.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking עֶרְוַת הָאָרֶץ as definite object of לִרְאוֹת.
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN f sg cstr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object (construct head)עֶרְוָה (H6172) 'nakedness, exposed vulnerability'; f cstr governing הָאָרֶץ — exposed weakness.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'nakedness of the land' = military vulnerabilities — a charge fit for Egyptian court.
בָּאתֶֽםyou have comeQal perf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (accusation clause)→ Perfective: completed act allegedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the same root as v7 — their coming is reframed as espionage.
10

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו לֹ֣א אֲדֹנִ֑י וַעֲבָדֶ֥יךָ בָּ֖אוּ לִשְׁבָּר אֹֽכֶל

And they said to him, 'No, my lord; your servants have come to buy food.'

Immediate denialAnd
The brothers answer with deference and narrow their purpose to food-purchase, trying to dispel the accusation.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּאמְר֥וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (response)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (denial)אָמַר (H559); the brothers immediately deny the charge with deference.
אֵלָ֖יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; they address Joseph as lord though not recognizing him.
לֹ֣אnoneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Emphatic negation (denial)לֹא (H3808) 'no, not'; here used as flat denial — standalone negation before address.
אֲדֹנִ֑יmy lordN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · אָדוֹן (H113)Vocative (address)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; vocative acknowledging Joseph's authority; irony given their past.
וַעֲבָדֶ֥יךָbut your servantsconj וְ + N m pl cstr + 2ms suf · עֶבֶד (H5650)Topic-fronted subject (contrastive)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; self-designation as servants acknowledges his lordship over them.
בָּ֖אוּhave comeQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed arrival statedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; same verb as v9 end — their coming is reasserted innocently.
לִשְׁבָּרto buy foodprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · שָׁבַר (H7666)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: stated innocent purposeשָׁבַר (H7666) 'to buy grain'; their purpose restated to counter the spy accusation.
אֹֽכֶלfoodN m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Object of buying (inf)אֹכֶל (H400) 'food'; the practical, survival purpose of their journey.
11

כֻּלָּ֕נוּ בְּנֵ֥י אִישׁ אֶחָ֖ד נָ֑חְנוּ כֵּנִ֣ים אֲנַ֔חְנוּ לֹא הָי֥וּ עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ מְרַגְּלִֽים

'We are all sons of one man; we are honest men; your servants have never been spies.'

Claim of integrity and family unityWe
Their defense rests on shared paternity and claimed honesty, a self-description Joseph hears against their older betrayal.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כֻּלָּ֕נוּall of usN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (collective, fronted)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; + 1cp suf = 'all of us'; emphatic solidarity claimed as defense.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; family unity as defense: they are one man's sons, not a spy network.
אִישׁone manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain (genitive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the unnamed father (Jacob) guarantees family coherence.
אֶחָ֖דoneadj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive modifier of אִישׁאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; unity of origin as evidence of honest purpose rather than conspiracy.
נָ֑חְנוּwe are1cp pers pron · נַחְנוּ (H5168)Subject (resumptive)נַחְנוּ (H5168) archaic 1cp pron 'we'; resumptive after כֻּלָּנוּ for emphasis.
כֵּנִ֣יםhonest menadj m pl abs · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)כֵּן (H3651) 'honest, upright, right'; adj pl used as substantive predicate — their moral claim.
אֲנַ֔חְנוּwe are1cp pers pron · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of nominal predicateאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) standard 1cp pron; 'we are honest' — self-declaration under accusation.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808) negation; sets up the third denial clause.
הָי֥וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated stative)→ Perfective: asserted past state (negated)הָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; stative perf — they assert they have never been spies.
עֲבָדֶ֖יךָyour servantsN m pl cstr + 2ms suf · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of negated clauseעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; third person self-reference in address to superior — formulaic deference.
מְרַגְּלִֽיםspiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate (negated nominal clause)→ Participle: denied identity labelרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; the accusation word of v9 now formally denied by the brothers.
12

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם לֹ֕א כִּֽי עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶ֥ם לִרְאֽוֹת

And he said to them, 'No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.'

Accusation repeatedAnd
Joseph does not yield to the first denial but returns to the land-exposure charge and keeps pressure on them.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (second accusation)אָמַר (H559); Joseph dismisses their defense and repeats the charge.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413); speech directed back at them — the accusation returns to its source.
לֹ֕אnoneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Emphatic denial of their denialלֹא (H3808); flat counter-denial — Joseph overrides their protest.
כִּֽיbut ratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunctionכִּי (H3588) adversative after negation: 'no, but…'; introduces the reaffirmed accusation.
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN f sg cstr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object (fronted, topicalized)עֶרְוָה (H6172) 'nakedness, exposed weakness'; repeated from v9 to make the accusation explicit.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); 'nakedness of the land' = defensive vulnerabilities — the espionage charge restated.
בָּאתֶ֥םyou have comeQal perf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (accusation)→ Perfective: alleged completed actבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; their arrival reinterpreted for the second time as intelligence-gathering.
לִרְאֽוֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · רָאָה (H7200)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: repeated stated purpose of accusationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; same inf as v9 — the accusation repeats verbatim for rhetorical force.
13

וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ שְׁנֵ֣ים עָשָׂר֩ עֲבָדֶ֨יךָ אַחִ֧ים אֲנַ֛חְנוּ בְּנֵ֥י אִישׁ אֶחָ֖ד בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְהִנֵּ֨ה הַקָּטֹ֤ן אֶת אָבִ֨ינוּ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וְהָאֶחָ֖ד אֵינֶֽנּוּ

And they said, 'We, your servants, are twelve brothers, sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and the one is no more.'

Family truth spoken before JosephAnd
In defending themselves they disclose the exact household structure, including Benjamin and the missing brother who stands before them.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּאמְר֗וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (response)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (defense deepened)אָמַר (H559); under continued pressure, the brothers now disclose family structure.
שְׁנֵ֣יםtwelvecardinal num m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Predicate numeral (part of compound)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; first element of compound numeral שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר = twelve.
עָשָׂר֩[twelve]cardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of compound numeralעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; second element completing 'twelve'; the total number of Jacob's sons.
עֲבָדֶ֨יךָyour servantsN m pl cstr + 2ms suf · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject of nominal clauseעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; they speak of themselves as 'your servants' — sustained deference.
אַחִ֧יםbrothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Predicate (appositive)אָח (H251) 'brother'; they identify as a family brotherhood, not a spy ring.
אֲנַ֛חְנוּwe are1cp pers pron · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject (resumptive)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; resumptive pronoun reinforcing the family-unity defense.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; paternal unity underscores their claim to be peaceable family travelers.
אִישׁone manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Construct chain (genitive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; the unnamed father whose unity holds them together.
אֶחָ֖דoneadj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive modifierאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; single father as basis for family coherence and innocent purpose.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative phrase (origin)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; their homeland named; locates the family in Canaan.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanprop N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of construct chainכְּנַעַן (H3667); Canaan as their home territory confirms innocent, non-Egyptian identity.
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (new info)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks new, striking information about the household.
הַקָּטֹ֤ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Subject (nominal clause)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, young'; superlative use — the youngest of the twelve, Benjamin.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; the youngest is with (in company of) their father.
אָבִ֨ינוּ֙our fatherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָב (H1)Object of comitative prepאָב (H1) 'father'; the unnamed patriarch whom Jacob's sons describe to the very son he mourns.
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; Benjamin is with father at this moment — present, not absent.
וְהָאֶחָ֖דand the oneconj וְ + art + adj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Contrastive subject (second nominal clause)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; 'the one' = Joseph himself, described as absent — devastating irony.
אֵינֶֽנּוּis no moreneg particle + 3ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of negationאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; + 3ms suf = 'he is not'; they report Joseph's absence to Joseph himself.
14

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֖ם יוֹסֵ֑ף ה֗וּא אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֧רְתִּי אֲלֵכֶ֛ם לֵאמֹ֖ר מְרַגְּלִ֥ים אַתֶּֽם

And Joseph said to them, 'It is as I spoke to you, saying, You are spies.'

Joseph confirms the testAnd
He treats their new information not as vindication but as confirmation that the matter will now be proved.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceאָמַר (H559); Joseph responds to the family disclosure by intensifying the accusation.
אֲלֵהֶ֖םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to'; the direction is unchanged — Joseph continues to press them.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject (postverbal)יוֹסֵף (H3130); named again for clarity — his concealed identity governs all speech.
ה֗וּאit is3ms pers pron · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clause (demonstrative)הוּא (H1931) 'it, he'; refers back to Joseph's earlier charge — 'it is (exactly) as I said.'
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause headאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; introduces the content of what Joseph previously said.
דִּבַּ֧רְתִּיI spokePiel perf 1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: prior assertion recalledדָּבַר Piel (H1696) 'to speak'; perf references his accusation of v9 — he stands by it.
אֲלֵכֶ֛םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of relative clauseאֶל (H413) + 2mp suf; 'to you' — the same persons he accused before; he repeats it.
לֵאמֹ֖רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (speech-introduction)→ Inf cstr: quotative markerאָמַר (H559) inf cstr with לְ as quotative introducer before direct speech.
מְרַגְּלִ֥יםspiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate of nominal clause (accusation)→ Participle: sustained identity accusationרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; third repetition of the accusation — Joseph will not relent.
אַתֶּֽםyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of nominal clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; the accusation stands exactly as first spoken in v9 — verbatim.
15

בְּזֹ֖את תִּבָּחֵ֑נוּ חֵ֤י פַרְעֹה֙ אִם תֵּצְא֣וּ מִזֶּ֔ה כִּ֧י אִם בְּב֛וֹא אֲחִיכֶ֥ם הַקָּטֹ֖ן הֵֽנָּה

'By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go out from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.'

Probation set by oathBy this
Joseph frames the issue as a test and makes the arrival of the youngest brother the condition for release.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
בְּזֹ֖אתby thisprep בְּ + f sg demonstr · זֹאת (H2063)Fronted instrumental phraseזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; + בְּ = 'by means of this'; the test about to be named.
תִּבָּחֵ֑נוּyou will be testedNiphal impf 2mp · בָּחַן (H974)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol imperfective: future probation decreedבָּחַן Niphal (H974) 'to be tested, examined'; the encounter is now formally framed as probation.
חֵ֤יby the life ofadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Oath formula headחַי (H2416) 'living, life'; חֵי פַרְעֹה = oath formula invoking Pharaoh's life as warrant.
פַרְעֹה֙Pharaohprop N · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of oath formulaפַּרְעֹה (H6547) 'Pharaoh'; invoked as oath-guarantor; Joseph speaks as an Egyptian official.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (oath negation)אִם (H518) after oath formula = 'you shall not…'; standard oath negation structure in Hebrew.
תֵּצְא֣וּyou will go outQal impf 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate (negated by oath formula)→ Yiqtol imperfective: possibility negated by oathיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, leave'; their departure is conditionally blocked pending the test.
מִזֶּ֔הfrom hereprep מִן + m sg demonstr · זֶה (H2088)Ablative phrase (this place)זֶה (H2088) 'this' + מִן = 'from here'; Egypt, specifically Joseph's custody, is their confinement.
כִּ֧יunlessconj · כִּי (H3588)Exception conjunction (כִּי אִם)כִּי (H3588) + אִם = 'unless, except'; introduces the single condition for release.
אִםif/unlessconj · אִם (H518)Exception particle (כִּי אִם)אִם (H518); together with כִּי forms except-clause: 'unless your youngest brother comes.'
בְּב֛וֹאwhen comesprep בְּ + Qal inf cstr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal inf phrase (condition)→ Inf cstr: conditioned temporal eventבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; inf cstr with בְּ = 'when/upon the coming of'; the required event.
אֲחִיכֶ֥םyour brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Subject of conditional infאָח (H251) 'brother'; the youngest brother whose arrival will decide the case.
הַקָּטֹ֖ןthe youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive modifier of אֲחִיכֶםקָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest, smallest'; Benjamin identified by rank — the test hinges on him.
הֵֽנָּהhereadverb · הֵנָּה (H2008)Directional adverbהֵנָּה (H2008) 'hither, here'; Benjamin must come to this place — Egypt, before Joseph.
16

שִׁלְח֨וּ מִכֶּ֣ם אֶחָד֮ וְיִקַּ֣ח אֶת אֲחִיכֶם֒ וְאַתֶּם֙ הֵאָ֣סְר֔וּ וְיִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙ דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔ם הַֽאֱמֶ֖ת אִתְּכֶ֑ם וְאִם לֹ֕א חֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה כִּ֥י מְרַגְּלִ֖ים אַתֶּֽם

'Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; but you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether the truth is with you; and if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.'

Custody and verification demandedSend
One brother must fetch Benjamin while the others remain bound; truth must be demonstrated rather than asserted.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
שִׁלְח֨וּsendQal impv 2mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Main imperative (command)→ Volitional: urgent command to the groupשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the brothers must choose one of their own to fetch Benjamin.
מִכֶּ֣םfrom among youprep מִן + 2mp suf · מִן (H4480)Partitive phraseמִן (H4480) + 2mp suf = 'from among you'; one is to be separated from the group.
אֶחָד֮oneadj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Object of imperative (partitive)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; one brother will serve as envoy while the rest remain confined.
וְיִקַּ֣חand let him bringconj וְ + Qal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Jussive (purpose of sending)→ Yiqtol/jussive: volitional purposeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, bring'; the envoy's task is to fetch Benjamin and bring him back.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking אֲחִיכֶם as definite direct object of וְיִקַּח.
אֲחִיכֶם֒your brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Direct objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; the youngest brother who must be fetched as proof of the claim.
וְאַתֶּם֙but youconj וְ + 2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Contrastive subjectאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; contrastive with the envoy — the rest will be confined.
הֵאָ֣סְר֔וּshall be boundNiphal impv 2mp · אָסַר (H631)Imperative (custody command)→ Volitional: command to submit to bindingאָסַר Niphal (H631) 'to be bound, imprisoned'; the brothers must submit to custody during the test.
וְיִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙and be testedconj וְ + Niphal impf 3mp · בָּחַן (H974)Jussive (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol/jussive: purpose of confinementבָּחַן Niphal (H974) 'to be tested'; testing root from v15 — confinement is probation instrument.
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔םyour wordsN m pl cstr + 2mp suf · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of testing clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; 'your words' = the account they gave — it must be verified.
הַֽאֱמֶ֖תthe truthinterrog ה + N f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Predicate (nominal clause, questioned)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, reliability'; the interrogative asks whether truth is with them.
אִתְּכֶ֑םwith youprep + 2mp suf · אֵת (H854)Comitative phrase (locating truth)אֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; truth must be 'with you' as an intrinsic quality to be proved.
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (alternate outcome)אִם (H518) conditional; introduces the bad outcome if they are liars.
לֹ֕אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (truth absent)לֹא (H3808); 'if not' = if truth is not with them, the spy verdict stands.
חֵ֣יby the life ofadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Oath formula (repeated)חַי (H2416) 'living'; oath formula repeated from v15 — same Pharaonic authority invoked.
פַרְעֹ֔הPharaohprop N · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive of oath formulaפַּרְעֹה (H6547); Pharaoh as oath-guarantor affirms capital consequences for spies.
כִּ֥יsurelyconj · כִּי (H3588)Asseverative conjunction (certainty)כִּי (H3588) asseverative after oath: 'surely, indeed'; intensifies the condemnation.
מְרַגְּלִ֖יםspiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate (nominal clause — confirmed accusation)→ Participle: definitive identity judgmentרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; fourth use of this ptc — the accusation becomes the condemnation.
אַתֶּֽםyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of nominal clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; fourth repetition of the subject — the charge will not be retracted.
17

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף אֹתָ֛ם אֶל מִשְׁמָ֖ר שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים

And he gathered them into custody for three days.

Temporary confinementAnd
Joseph gathers them into custody for three days, letting fear and uncertainty work upon them before the next word.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ףand he gatheredQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (action)אָסַף (H622) 'to gather, collect'; Joseph physically assembles them into one place of custody.
אֹתָ֛םthemobj marker + 3mp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3mp suf; the ten brothers are gathered collectively into confinement.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; directional into the custody space.
מִשְׁמָ֖רcustodyN m sg abs · מִשְׁמָר (H4929)Object of directional prepמִשְׁמָר (H4929) 'guard, custody, prison'; from שָׁמַר 'to keep'; formal detention begins.
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁתthreecardinal num m sg cstr · שָׁלֹשׁ (H7969)Numeral (cstr) modifying יָמִיםשָׁלֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; cstr form before יָמִים — three days of custodial pressure.
יָמִֽיםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Measure of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; three days of confinement before Joseph's revised offer in v18.
18

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֤ם יוֹסֵף֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י זֹ֥את עֲשׂ֖וּ וִֽחְי֑וּ אֶת הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יָרֵֽא

And Joseph said to them on the third day, 'Do this and live, for I fear God:'

Terms revised under fear of GodAnd Joseph said
On the third day Joseph alters the arrangement and grounds the whole matter in his fear of God rather than arbitrary cruelty.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (speech intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (revised terms)אָמַר (H559); on the third day Joseph breaks the silence with revised conditions.
אֲלֵהֶ֤םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) 'to'; speech direction to the confined brothers.
יוֹסֵף֙Josephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject (postverbal)יוֹסֵף (H3130); named as subject — his speech will ground the revised terms in fear of God.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; + article and ordinal = 'on the third day' — after v17's confinement.
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔יthe thirdart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive modifier of יוֹםשְׁלִישִׁי (H7992) 'third'; the ordinal marks the end of the three-day custody of v17.
זֹ֥אתthisf sg demonstr · זֹאת (H2063)Fronted direct object (topic)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; anticipatory demonstr pointing to the instruction about to come.
עֲשׂ֖וּdoQal impv 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Main imperative→ Volitional: direct commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the imperative that introduces the revised plan.
וִֽחְי֑וּand liveconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · חָיָה (H2421)Coordinated imperative (result)→ Volitional: life as outcome of obedienceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; echoes Jacob's motivation in v2 — compliance means life.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks הָאֱלֹהִים as object of יָרֵא.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of participleאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the theological claim distinguishing Joseph's severity from mere cruelty.
אֲנִ֥יI1cs pers pron · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of participial clauseאֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic — Joseph personally grounds his actions in fear of God.
יָרֵֽאfearQal ptc m sg abs · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate participle (nominal clause)→ Participle: characterizing ongoing dispositionיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; ptc as ongoing state — 'I am one who fears God'; moral grounding explicit.
19

אִם כֵּנִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם אֲחִיכֶ֣ם אֶחָ֔ד יֵאָסֵ֖ר בְּבֵ֣ית מִשְׁמַרְכֶ֑ם וְאַתֶּם֙ לְכ֣וּ הָבִ֔יאוּ שֶׁ֖בֶר רַעֲב֥וֹן בָּתֵּיכֶֽם

'If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be bound in your prison house; but you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households.'

One brother retained, others provisionedIf
The revised plan keeps one hostage while allowing the others to sustain their starving households.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the condition under which the revised plan applies.
כֵּנִ֣יםhonest menadj m pl abs · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)כֵּן (H3651) 'honest, right'; echoes v11 — their own claim is now made the condition of leniency.
אַתֶּ֔םyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of conditional clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; pronoun as subject — the condition turns on their actual honesty.
אֲחִיכֶ֣םone of your brothersN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Subject of main clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; one brother (the hostage) named as subject of the binding.
אֶחָ֔דoneadj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Appositive numeral (one = one of you)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; specifies the single hostage to remain — not all, just one.
יֵאָסֵ֖רshall be boundNiphal impf 3ms · אָסַר (H631)Predicate verb (hostage clause)→ Yiqtol: commanded/decreed future actionאָסַר Niphal (H631) 'to be bound, held'; Simeon will be the hostage according to v24.
בְּבֵ֣יתin the house ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative phrase (place of confinement)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; 'house of custody' = prison-building; the place of detention.
מִשְׁמַרְכֶ֑םyour custodyN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · מִשְׁמָר (H4929)Genitive of construct chainמִשְׁמָר (H4929) 'guard, custody'; + 2mp suf = 'your prison'; from the very guard-post they occupied.
וְאַתֶּם֙but youconj וְ + 2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Contrastive subjectאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; the nine who go free contrasted with the one who stays.
לְכ֣וּgoQal impv 2mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Main imperative (departure)→ Volitional: command to departיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; imperative releasing the group to return with grain.
הָבִ֔יאוּcarryHiphil impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to transport grainבּוֹא Hiphil (H935) 'to bring, carry'; they must carry grain home while one brother remains.
שֶׁ֖בֶרgrain ofN m sg cstr · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Direct object (construct head)שֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain, food-purchase'; the word from v1 — the original mission now permitted.
רַעֲב֥וֹןfamine ofN m sg cstr · רַעֲבוֹן (H7459)Genitive (type of need)רַעֲבוֹן (H7459) 'famine, hunger'; from רָעָב; 'grain of your famine' = relief grain for the hungry.
בָּתֵּיכֶֽםyour householdsN m pl cstr + 2mp suf · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive (beneficiaries)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the extended family depending on them back in Canaan.
20

וְאֶת אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הַקָּטֹן֙ תָּבִ֣יאוּ אֵלַ֔י וְיֵאָמְנ֥וּ דִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א תָמ֑וּתוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כֵֽן

'And bring your youngest brother to me, that your words may be verified, and you shall not die.' And they did so.

Benjamin made the decisive proofAnd
The requirement of the youngest remains central: only Benjamin's arrival will confirm their words and spare them death.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conj + direct-object markerאֵת (H853); marks the fronted Benjamin as definite direct object of תָּבִיאוּ.
אֲחִיכֶ֤םyour brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Direct object (fronted)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin fronted for topical emphasis — the condition of the whole plan.
הַקָּטֹן֙the youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive modifierקָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest, smallest'; Benjamin again marked by rank — the crucial figure.
תָּבִ֣יאוּbringHiphil impf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: commanded future bringingבּוֹא Hiphil (H935) 'to bring'; the decisive action required for the plan's resolution.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 1cs suf; Benjamin must come before Joseph personally — the test requires direct encounter.
וְיֵאָמְנ֥וּthat may be verifiedconj וְ + Niphal impf 3mp · אָמַן (H539)Purpose/result clause (weqatal)→ Imperfective/purposive: desired outcomeאָמַן Niphal (H539) 'to be faithful, proved true'; the root of אֱמֶת — their words must prove reliable.
דִבְרֵיכֶ֖םyour wordsN m pl cstr + 2mp suf · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of purpose clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, account'; what they said must be verified by Benjamin's arrival.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negationלֹא (H3808) negation; 'you will not die' — obedience results in life, not execution.
תָמ֑וּתוּyou will dieQal impf 2mp · מוּת (H4191)Negated predicate (outcome clause)→ Yiqtol imperfective: negated threatened outcomeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; death is averted by compliance — stakes made explicit.
וַיַּעֲשׂוּand they didQal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (compliance)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (obedience noted)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; their compliance is recorded in a single verb — the plan is accepted.
כֵֽןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Manner adverbכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; formulaic compliance marker — they did exactly as told.
21

וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל אָחִ֗יו אֲבָל֮ אֲשֵׁמִ֣ים אֲנַחְנוּ֮ עַל אָחִינוּ֒ אֲשֶׁ֨ר רָאִ֜ינוּ צָרַ֥ת נַפְשׁ֛וֹ בְּהִתְחַֽנְנ֥וֹ אֵלֵ֖ינוּ וְלֹ֣א שָׁמָ֑עְנוּ עַל כֵּן֙ בָּ֣אָה אֵלֵ֔ינוּ הַצָּרָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת

And they said each man to his brother, 'Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us and we did not listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.'

Guilt surfaces among the brothersAnd they said
Their distress is finally read as moral consequence for what they did to Joseph when he pleaded with them.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּאמְר֞וּand they saidQal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (mutual speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (moral turn)אָמַר (H559); the brothers' mutual speech begins the chapter's central moral disclosure.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (distributive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו = 'each man to his brother' — distributive reciprocal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prep (reciprocal)אֶל (H413) 'to'; part of distributive formula — private speech among themselves.
אָחִ֗יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Indirect object (each to his brother)אָח (H251) 'brother'; 'to his brother' — the guilt is acknowledged within the fraternal circle.
אֲבָל֮trulyadverb · אָבָל (H61)Asseverative adverb (strong affirmation)אָבָל (H61) 'truly, indeed, but'; strong asseverative introducing a moral confession.
אֲשֵׁמִ֣יםwe are guiltyadj m pl abs · אָשֵׁם (H818)Predicate adjective (confession)אָשֵׁם (H818) 'guilty, culpable'; from אָשַׁם 'to be guilty'; the brothers name their moral condition.
אֲנַחְנוּ֮we are1cp pers pron · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of nominal predicateאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; the pronoun makes the confession collective and direct.
עַלconcerningprep · עַל (H5921)Reference prepositionעַל (H5921) 'concerning, regarding'; + אָחִינוּ = 'with respect to our brother' — the wronged one.
אָחִינוּ֒our brotherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָח (H251)Object of prep (reference)אָח (H251) 'brother'; 'our brother' = Joseph, whom they wronged and who now stands before them.
אֲשֶׁ֨רbecauserelative/conj · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Causal relative clause headאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative used causally; introduces the specific past act grounding the guilt.
רָאִ֜ינוּwe sawQal perf 1cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate of causal clause→ Perfective: completed act witnessed and rememberedרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; they saw his distress — passive witnessing of Joseph's anguish.
צָרַ֥תthe distress ofN f sg cstr · צָרָה (H6869)Direct object (construct head)צָרָה (H6869) 'distress, anguish, trouble'; cstr governing נַפְשׁוֹ — Joseph's inner anguish.
נַפְשׁ֛וֹhis soulN c sg cstr + 3ms suf · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitive of construct chainנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; 'distress of his soul' = the anguish of the whole person.
בְּהִתְחַֽנְנ֥וֹwhen he pleadedprep בְּ + Hitpael inf cstr + 3ms suf · חָנַן (H2603)Temporal inf phrase→ Inf cstr: temporal coincidence with their refusalחָנַן Hitpael (H2603) 'to plead, implore'; Joseph begged them — the pleading they ignored.
אֵלֵ֖ינוּto usprep אֶל + 1cp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 1cp suf; his pleading was directed at them — they were the object of his appeal.
וְלֹ֣אbut we did notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Adversative negationלֹא (H3808) negation; the core of their guilt — they heard and refused.
שָׁמָ֑עְנוּlistenQal perf 1cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Negated predicate verb→ Perfective: completed refusal to hearשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; not listening to his plea is the central act of guilt named.
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Causal/consecutive prepעַל (H5921) + כֵּן = 'therefore'; the formula draws moral consequence from the remembered act.
כֵּן֙thereforeparticle · כֵּן (H3651)Consequence particle (עַל כֵּן)כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; עַל כֵּן = 'therefore' — the standard consequence formula.
בָּ֣אָהhas comeQal perf 3fs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (consequence clause)→ Perfective: present distress as moral consequenceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; their current distress has 'come upon them' — moral causality explicit.
אֵלֵ֔ינוּupon usprep אֶל + 1cp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 1cp suf; distress has come 'to us' — the direction reversed from their dismissal of Joseph.
הַצָּרָ֖הthis distressart + N f sg abs · צָרָה (H6869)Subject (delayed)צָרָה (H6869) 'distress'; the same root as צָרַת נַפְשׁוֹ v21a — their distress mirrors his.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + f sg demonstr · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifierזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; 'this very distress' — the demonstr makes the connection to present suffering vivid.
22

וַיַּעַן֩ רְאוּבֵ֨ן אֹתָ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר הֲלוֹא֩ אָמַ֨רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֧ם לֵאמֹ֛ר אַל תֶּחֶטְא֥וּ בַיֶּ֖לֶד וְלֹ֣א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑ם וְגַם דָּמ֖וֹ הִנֵּ֥ה נִדְרָֽשׁ

And Reuben answered them, saying, 'Did I not tell you, saying, Do not sin against the boy? But you did not listen. And now, behold, his blood is being required.'

Reuben interprets the crisis as blood-guiltAnd Reuben answered
Reuben recalls his earlier warning and names the present suffering as the demanded reckoning for shed blood.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיַּעַן֩and answeredQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (Reuben's response)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (interjection)עָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, respond'; Reuben breaks into the brothers' confession with his own.
רְאוּבֵ֨ןReubenprop N · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Subjectרְאוּבֵן (H7205), firstborn of Jacob; had tried to save Joseph (Gen 37:22,29) and now invokes that.
אֹתָ֜םthemobj marker + 3mp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object of עָנָהאֵת (H853) + 3mp suf; Reuben addresses the group — his answer is a corporate rebuke.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (quotative marker)→ Inf cstr: introduces direct speechאָמַר (H559) inf cstr with לְ as quotative; introduces Reuben's direct words.
הֲלוֹא֩did I notinterrog ה + neg · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical question (negative)הֲ + לֹא (H3808) = rhetorical question expecting 'yes'; Reuben recalls his earlier warning.
אָמַ֨רְתִּיI saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (recalled speech)→ Perfective: completed past saying recalledאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Reuben refers back to Gen 37:22 — his prior attempt to spare Joseph.
אֲלֵיכֶ֧םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipients of warning)אֶל (H413) + 2mp suf; 'to you' — the warning was given to this same group who now suffer.
לֵאמֹ֛רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (inner quotative)→ Inf cstr: nested quotativeאָמַר (H559); second lēʾmōr introduces the content of Reuben's past warning.
אַלdo notneg particle · אַל (H408)Volitional negationאַל (H408) 'do not'; volitional negative — the prohibitive Reuben once issued.
תֶּחֶטְא֥וּsinQal jussive 2mp · חָטָא (H2398)Negated jussive (prohibition)→ Volitional: prohibition recalledחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss'; Reuben had called it sin from the start — blood-guilt anticipated.
בַיֶּ֖לֶדagainst the boyprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יֶלֶד (H3206)Prepositional phrase (object of sin)יֶלֶד (H3206) 'boy, child'; Joseph called 'the boy' — his vulnerability emphasized.
וְלֹ֣אbut notconj וְ + neg · לֹא (H3808)Adversative negationלֹא (H3808); they did not listen — the guilt Reuben predicted has now arrived.
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֑םyou listenedQal perf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Negated predicate verb→ Perfective: completed failure to obeyשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to listen, obey'; the same verb used in v21 — their failure is twice named.
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; elevates the gravity — now his blood is being required as additional consequence.
דָּמ֖וֹhis bloodN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · דָּם (H1818)Subject of blood-guilt clauseדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; blood-guilt language; Reuben frames Joseph as presumed dead, blood uncleansed.
הִנֵּ֥הbeholdparticle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; draws attention to the present moment of reckoning — 'look, now'.
נִדְרָֽשׁis requiredNiphal ptc m sg abs · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Predicate participle (nominal clause)→ Participle: ongoing blood-reckoning in effectדָּרַשׁ Niphal (H1875) 'to be sought, required'; blood is being reckoned — present consequence of past guilt.
23

וְהֵם֙ לֹ֣א יָֽדְע֔וּ כִּ֥י שֹׁמֵ֖עַ יוֹסֵ֑ף כִּ֥י הַמֵּלִ֖יץ בֵּינֹתָֽם

But they did not know that Joseph understood, for the interpreter was between them.

Joseph hears what they do not know he hearsBut
The dramatic irony sharpens: Joseph understands every word because the interpreter has masked his comprehension.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהֵם֙but theyconj וְ + 3mp pers pron · הֵם (H1992)Contrastive subjectהֵם (H1992) 'they'; adversative — the brothers speak freely, unaware Joseph understands them.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808); negates יָדְעוּ — their ignorance is total and the narrative savors it.
יָֽדְע֔וּknewQal perf 3cp · יָדַע (H3045)Negated predicate verb→ Perfective: completed state of ignoranceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; their not-knowing mirrors Joseph's full-knowing of v7-8.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complement conj (content clause)כִּי (H3588) content conj; introduces what they did not know.
שֹׁמֵ֖עַwas understandingQal ptc m sg abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate participle (nominal clause)→ Participle: ongoing comprehension during their speechשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, understand'; ptc marks continuous action — Joseph is hearing and understanding throughout.
יוֹסֵ֑ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject of participial clauseיוֹסֵף (H3130); subject confirmed — his comprehension of their confession is the chapter's great irony.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) causal; explains why the brothers spoke freely — they assumed the interpreter mediated.
הַמֵּלִ֖יץthe interpreterart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · לוּץ (H3887)Subject of explanatory clause→ Participle: characterizing official roleלוּץ Hiphil (H3887) 'to interpret, mediate language'; the interpreter masked Joseph's comprehension.
בֵּינֹתָֽםbetween themprep + 3mp suf · בֵּין (H996)Locative complementבֵּין (H996) 'between'; the interpreter stood between them — linguistically separating Joseph from his brothers.
24

וַיִּסֹּ֥ב מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וַיֵּ֑בְךְּ וַיָּ֤שָׁב אֲלֵהֶם֙ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וַיִּקַּ֤ח מֵֽאִתָּם֙ אֶת שִׁמְע֔וֹן וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ר אֹת֖וֹ לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם

And he turned himself away from them and wept; and he returned to them and spoke with them, and he took Simeon from among them and bound him before their eyes.

Hidden weeping and public binding of SimeonAnd
Joseph's inward compassion breaks into secret tears, yet he returns to bind Simeon before their eyes as the pledge of return.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּסֹּ֥בand he turnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · סָבַב (H5437)Predicate verb (withdrawal)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (private moment)סָבַב (H5437) 'to turn, go around'; Joseph turns away to hide his emotion from the brothers.
מֵֽעֲלֵיהֶ֖םfrom themprep מִן + prep עַל + 3mp suf · עַל (H5921)Ablative phrase (turning away from)עַל (H5921) + מִן; 'from upon them' = turning away from their presence; a private withdrawal.
וַיֵּ֑בְךְּand weptQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּכָה (H1058)Predicate verb (emotion)→ Wayyiqtol: emotional action in privateבָּכָה (H1058) 'to weep, cry'; Joseph's compassion surfaces in secret — he weeps at their confession.
וַיָּ֤שָׁבand returnedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (resumption)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (return to scene)שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return'; Joseph composes himself and returns to the official encounter.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 3mp suf; he returns toward them — the official face restored after private tears.
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רand spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (official speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (official action)דָּבַר Piel (H1696) 'to speak'; after weeping, Joseph officially addresses them to execute the plan.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) repeated; the speech is directed at all the brothers before singling out Simeon.
וַיִּקַּ֤חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (arrest action)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (action)לָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Joseph takes Simeon from among them — deliberate selection.
מֵֽאִתָּם֙from among themprep מִן + prep + 3mp suf · אֵת (H854)Ablative source phraseאֵת (H854) + מִן; 'from with them' = from their midst; Simeon separated from the group.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שִׁמְעוֹן as definite object of וַיִּקַּח.
שִׁמְע֔וֹןSimeonprop N · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Direct objectשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095), second son of Jacob; chosen as hostage — perhaps for his severity at Shechem (Gen 34).
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥רand boundQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָסַר (H631)Predicate verb (binding action)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (public act)אָסַר (H631) 'to bind, imprison'; Simeon bound physically — the pledge of the brothers' return.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; the binding is of Simeon personally — embodied hostage.
לְעֵינֵיהֶֽםbefore their eyesprep לְ + N c dual cstr + 3mp suf · עַיִן (H5869)Locative (before the eyes of)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; pl with לְ = 'before their eyes'; the binding is public, witnessed — intentionally so.
25

וַיְצַ֣ו יוֹסֵ֗ף וַיְמַלְא֣וּ אֶת כְּלֵיהֶם֮ בָּר֒ וּלְהָשִׁ֤יב כַּסְפֵּיהֶם֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל שַׂקּ֔וֹ וְלָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם צֵדָ֖ה לַדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָהֶ֖ם כֵּֽן

And Joseph commanded, and they filled their vessels with grain, and to return each man's money into his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey; and thus it was done for them.

Provision mixed with disturbanceAnd Joseph commanded
Joseph fills their vessels, restores their money, and equips them for the road, joining severity and care in one act.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְצַ֣וand commandedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (official order)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (command issued)צָוָה Piel (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Joseph issues official orders for grain, money, and provisions.
יוֹסֵ֗ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subjectיוֹסֵף (H3130); named as commanding officer — his double role (judge and provider) enacted here.
וַיְמַלְא֣וּand they filledPiel wayyiqtol 3mp · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (execution)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (command carried out)מָלֵא Piel (H4390) 'to fill'; the servants fill their vessels — the command executed immediately.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking כְּלֵיהֶם as definite object of וַיְמַלְאוּ.
כְּלֵיהֶם֮their vesselsN m pl cstr + 3mp suf · כְּלִי (H3627)Direct objectכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, container, equipment'; the grain-transport bags filled for the journey home.
בָּר֒with grainN m sg abs · בַּר (H1250)Instrumental complementבַּר (H1250) 'grain'; same word as v3 — the grain mission is accomplished even amid the test.
וּלְהָשִׁ֤יבand to returnconj וְ + prep לְ + Hiphil inf cstr · שׁוּב (H7725)Infinitive phrase (coordinated purpose)→ Inf cstr: additional commanded actionשׁוּב Hiphil (H7725) 'to return, restore'; the money is to be quietly restored inside their sacks.
כַּסְפֵּיהֶם֙their moneyN m pl cstr + 3mp suf · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of infכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; their payment put back — a disturbing gift that will terrify them.
אִ֣ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive — each man's own money returned to his own sack individually.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'into'; the direction of the money's placement — returned into their own containers.
שַׂקּ֔וֹhis sackN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שַׂק (H8242)Object of directional prepשַׂק (H8242) 'sack, bag'; each man's money goes into his own sack — individually, not collectively.
וְלָתֵ֥תand to giveconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf cstr · נָתַן (H5414)Coordinated inf phrase→ Inf cstr: third commanded actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; provisions for the road — Joseph cares for their journey even while testing them.
לָהֶ֛םto themprep לְ + 3mp suf · לְIndirect object (benefactive)לְ + 3mp suf; the provisions are given to them — care and severity are intertwined in Joseph's actions.
צֵדָ֖הprovisionsN c sg abs · צֵדָה (H6720)Direct objectצֵדָה (H6720) 'provisions, food for travel'; from צוּד 'to hunt'; supplies for the homeward journey.
לַדָּ֑רֶךְfor the journeyprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Purposive dative phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the return trip to Canaan — practical provision given.
וַיַּ֥עַשׂand he didQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (execution summary)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative summary of completionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the command was fully executed — all three provisions completed.
לָהֶ֖םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suf · לְBenefactive dativeלְ + 3mp suf; summary: all was done for them — full execution of Joseph's orders.
כֵּֽןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Manner adverb (completion formula)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; standard execution-formula; everything done exactly as commanded.
26

וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ אֶת שִׁבְרָ֖ם עַל חֲמֹרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ מִשָּֽׁם

And they loaded their grain on their donkeys and went away from there.

Departure from EgyptAnd
The brothers leave with grain on their donkeys, but the unsettled test has only moved into its next phase.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּשְׂא֥וּand they loadedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (departure preparation)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, load'; the brothers load the grain for departure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שִׁבְרָם as definite object.
שִׁבְרָ֖םtheir grainN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · שֶׁבֶר (H7668)Direct objectשֶׁבֶר (H7668) 'grain purchase'; + 3mp suf = 'their grain'; the purchased supply now loaded.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative preposition (placement)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; grain loaded onto the donkeys for the return journey.
חֲמֹרֵיהֶ֑םtheir donkeysN c pl cstr + 3mp suf · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Object of locative prepחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; the pack animals of the original journey (cf. v3) now loaded for return.
וַיֵּלְכ֖וּand they wentQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (departure)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (departure)יָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; departure from Egypt — but the money in the sacks is still undiscovered.
מִשָּֽׁםfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Ablative phrase (departure point)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; + מִן = from that place (Egypt); closure of the Egyptian scene.
27

וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח הָאֶחָ֜ד אֶת שַׂקּ֗וֹ לָתֵ֥ת מִסְפּ֛וֹא לַחֲמֹר֖וֹ בַּמָּל֑וֹן וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת כַּסְפּ֔וֹ וְהִנֵּה ה֖וּא בְּפִ֥י אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹ

And one of them opened his sack to give fodder to his donkey at the lodging place, and he saw his money, and behold, it was at the mouth of his bag.

First money discoveryAnd
At the lodging place the returned money is discovered, turning ordinary travel provision into alarming mystery.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּפְתַּ֨חand openedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (discovery action)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (first money discovery)פָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; one brother opens his sack routinely to feed the donkey.
הָאֶחָ֜דthe oneart + adj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Subjectאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; 'the one' = one of them, unspecified; the discovery is singular and personal.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שַׂקּוֹ as definite object of וַיִּפְתַּח.
שַׂקּ֗וֹhis sackN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שַׂק (H8242)Direct objectשַׂק (H8242) 'sack'; his personal grain-sack, opened for the donkey's fodder.
לָתֵ֥תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitive phrase→ Inf cstr: purpose of opening the sackנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the innocent purpose — feeding the donkey — occasions the discovery.
מִסְפּ֛וֹאfodderN m sg abs · מִסְפּוֹא (H4554)Direct object of givingמִסְפּוֹא (H4554) 'fodder, animal feed'; the routine need that opens the sack and reveals the money.
לַחֲמֹר֖וֹto his donkeyprep לְ + art + N c sg cstr + 3ms suf · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Indirect object (recipient of fodder)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; the animal's need triggers the alarming discovery of returned money.
בַּמָּל֑וֹןat the lodging placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָלוֹן (H4411)Locative prepositional phraseמָלוֹן (H4411) 'lodging place, inn'; from לוּן 'to lodge'; first night's rest on the homeward journey.
וַיַּרְא֙and he sawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (discovery)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (alarming sight)רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the sight of the returned money begins the fear that governs vv27-28.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking כַּסְפּוֹ as definite object of וַיַּרְא.
כַּסְפּ֔וֹhis moneyN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct objectכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the returned payment — unexplained, impossible, alarming.
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (alarming disclosure)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the moment of startling discovery — narrative slows to register the shock.
ה֖וּאit was3ms pers pron · הוּא (H1931)Subject of nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 'it'; demonstrative subject — 'it (the money) was right at the mouth of his bag.'
בְּפִ֥יin the mouth ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · פֶּה (H6310)Locative phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, opening'; 'mouth of the bag' = the opening — visible, unmistakable placement.
אַמְתַּחְתּֽוֹhis bagN f sg cstr + 3ms suf · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Genitive of locative phraseאַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'bag, sack'; a word specific to this narrative cycle (Gen 42-44); his personal sack.
28

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל אֶחָיו֙ הוּשַׁ֣ב כַּסְפִּ֔י וְגַ֖ם הִנֵּ֣ה בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י וַיֵּצֵ֣א לִבָּ֗ם וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל אָחִיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַה זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ

And he said to his brothers, 'My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my bag.' And their hearts failed them, and they trembled, each man to his brother, saying, 'What is this that God has done to us?'

Fear interpreted theologicallyAnd he said
The returned silver undoes them inwardly; their hearts fail and they read the event as something God has done to them.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (alarmed speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (alarm voiced)אָמַר (H559); the discovery immediately moves to speech — fear made verbal.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to'; speech directed at the brothers in the caravan.
אֶחָיו֙his brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Indirect objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; the alarmed man speaks to the group — shared terror begins.
הוּשַׁ֣בhas been returnedHophal perf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (passive declaration)→ Perfective: completed event stated in alarmשׁוּב Hophal (H7725) 'to be returned, restored'; passive — the money was returned by an unspecified agent.
כַּסְפִּ֔יmy moneyN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Subject of passive clauseכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; 'my money' — the personal nature of the discovery heightens alarm.
וְגַ֖םand alsoconj וְ + particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; 'and it is also right here' — stacking the alarm.
הִנֵּ֣הbeholdparticle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particleהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; + גַּם = emphatic disclosure; points to the visible evidence.
בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑יin my bagprep בְּ + N f sg cstr + 1cs suf · אַמְתַּחַת (H572)Locative phraseאַמְתַּחַת (H572) 'sack, bag'; the same bag-word as v27 — now 'my bag', making discovery personal.
וַיֵּצֵ֣אand went outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (reaction)→ Wayyiqtol: vivid narrative of failing heartsיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; idiom: 'heart went out' = failed, sank — physical idiom for terror.
לִבָּ֗םtheir heartN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · לֵב (H3820)Subject of idiomatic clauseלֵב (H3820) 'heart'; + 3mp suf; 'their heart went out' = they were undone by terror.
וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּand they trembledQal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָרַד (H2729)Predicate verb (group terror)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (collective reaction)חָרַד (H2729) 'to tremble, be terrified'; physical trembling — the money discovery undoes them collectively.
אִ֤ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Distributive subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive — each man turned to his neighbor in mutual alarm.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prep (reciprocal)אֶל (H413); part of distributive formula — man to brother in collective alarm.
אָחִיו֙his brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Indirect objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; mutual alarm expressed reciprocally within the fraternal group.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (quotative)→ Inf cstr: introduces direct questionאָמַר (H559) inf cstr with לְ introducing the theological question that follows.
מַהwhatinterrogative · מָה (H4100)Interrogative subjectמָה (H4100) 'what'; the theological question: 'what is this that God has done?'
זֹּ֛אתis thisf sg demonstr · זֹאת (H2063)Subject complement (demonstr)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; 'what is this?' — the returned money defies their comprehension.
עָשָׂ֥הhas doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (theological question)→ Perfective: completed divine act puzzling themעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; they interpret the event as divine action — not Joseph's hidden mercy.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of theological clauseאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; the brothers name God as the agent — they read providence, not human arrangement.
לָֽנוּto usprep לְ + 1cp suf · לְIndirect object (experiential dative)לְ + 1cp suf; 'what has God done to us?' — alarm mixed with theological bewilderment.
29

וַיָּבֹ֛אוּ אֶל יַעֲקֹ֥ב אֲבִיהֶ֖ם אַ֣רְצָה כְּנָ֑עַן וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ אֵ֛ת כָּל הַקֹּרֹ֥ת אֹתָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר

And they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and told him all that had happened to them, saying,

Report delivered to JacobAnd
The narrative returns to Canaan as the sons recount the whole Egyptian encounter to their father.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיָּבֹ֛אוּand they cameQal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (return arrival)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (Canaan return)בּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the narrative returns to Canaan as the brothers arrive home.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to'; direction of return to the patriarch.
יַעֲקֹ֥בJacobprop N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Indirect object (recipient of report)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); the patriarch receives the full account of the Egyptian encounter.
אֲבִיהֶ֖םtheir fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Appositive (identifying Jacob)אָב (H1) 'father'; + 3mp suf; Jacob as paternal authority who must decide about Benjamin.
אַ֣רְצָהto the land ofN c sg cstr + dir ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional complementאֶרֶץ (H776) + dir ה; 'to the land of' — directional marker pointing to Canaan as destination.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanprop N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of directional phraseכְּנַעַן (H3667); the homeland where Jacob and the family await news.
וַיַּגִּ֣ידוּand they toldHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (report)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (full disclosure)נָגַד Hiphil (H5046) 'to tell, report, declare'; they tell Jacob everything — complete disclosure.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suf · לְIndirect objectלְ + 3ms suf; to Jacob — the report is personal and directed at the decision-maker.
אֵ֛ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking כָּל הַקֹּרֹת as definite object.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (totality marker)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; nothing omitted — they report everything that happened in Egypt.
הַקֹּרֹ֥תthat happenedart + Qal ptc f pl abs · קָרָה (H7136)Substantival participle (genitive to כָּל)→ Participle: events as an ongoing/completed categoryקָרָה (H7136) 'to happen, befall'; ptc f pl 'the things that happened to them' — narrative catchall.
אֹתָ֖םthemobj marker + 3mp suf · אֵת (H853)Object of experiential ptcאֵת (H853) + 3mp suf; 'that befell them' — their personal experience is the object of the report.
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (quotative marker)→ Inf cstr: introduces the content of the reportאָמַר (H559) inf cstr with לְ; the following verses (30-34) constitute their reported speech.
30

דִּ֠בֶּר הָאִ֨ישׁ אֲדֹנֵ֥י הָאָ֛רֶץ אִתָּ֖נוּ קָשׁ֑וֹת וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֹתָ֔נוּ כִּֽמְרַגְּלִ֖ים אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ

'The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us and took us for spies of the land.'

Egyptian ruler described as severeThe man
They present Joseph only as the hard lord of the land, emphasizing accusation and hostility.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
דִּ֠בֶּרspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (report of speech)→ Perfective: reported past speechדָּבַר Piel (H1696) 'to speak'; the brothers report Joseph's hostile speech to Jacob.
הָאִ֨ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; Joseph identified only as 'the man' — his identity still unknown to them and Jacob.
אֲדֹנֵ֥יlord ofN m pl cstr · אָדוֹן (H113)Appositive (title, construct)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; pl majestatis cstr; his title is all they can report — no name given.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); 'lord of the land' = supreme administrator over Egypt's territory.
אִתָּ֖נוּwith usprep + 1cp suf · אֵת (H854)Comitative phraseאֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; his harsh speech was directed at them personally.
קָשׁ֑וֹתharshlyadj f pl abs · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Adverbial accusative (manner)קָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, harsh'; f pl adverbial — repeated from v7; the harshness of his speech recalled.
וַיִּתֵּ֣ןand he took usQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (accusation relayed)→ Wayyiqtol: reported actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, set'; idiom: נָתַן as/for something = 'he treated us as spies.'
אֹתָ֔נוּusobj marker + 1cp suf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 1cp suf; 'treated us' — their person is the object of the spy-accusation.
כִּֽמְרַגְּלִ֖יםas spiesprep כְּ + Piel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate complement (comparative)→ Participle: characterization as spiesרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; + כְּ = 'as/like spies'; he treated them as if they were spies.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks הָאָרֶץ as object of spying (purpose).
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object (of espionage)אֶרֶץ (H776); the land whose nakedness they were accused of seeking to expose.
31

וַנֹּ֥אמֶר אֵלָ֖יו כֵּנִ֣ים אֲנָ֑חְנוּ לֹ֥א הָיִ֖ינוּ מְרַגְּלִֽים

'But we said to him, We are honest men; we have not been spies.'

Defense repeated before JacobBut
Their report reiterates the same self-defense they gave in Egypt: they claimed honesty and denied being spies.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַנֹּ֥אמֶרand we saidQal wayyiqtol 1cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (reported speech)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (brothers' reply relayed)אָמַר (H559); the brothers report their own reply to Joseph — 1cp wayyiqtol shifts POV.
אֵלָ֖יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) + 3ms suf; their response directed at Joseph — the official they addressed.
כֵּנִ֣יםhonest menadj m pl abs · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjective (nominal clause)כֵּן (H3651) 'honest, right'; their self-declaration echoing v11 and v19 — repeated claim of innocence.
אֲנָ֑חְנוּwe are1cp pers pron · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of nominal clauseאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; the pronoun as subject of their self-defense.
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808); direct denial of the spy charge — emphatic placement.
הָיִ֖ינוּwe have beenQal perf 1cp · הָיָה (H1961)Negated predicate verb→ Perfective: completed/persistent state deniedהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; 'we were not spies' — denial grounded in past and present state.
מְרַגְּלִֽיםspiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate nominal (identity denial)→ Participle: categorical identity deniedרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; direct echo of the charge — same ptc now emphatically denied.
32

שְׁנֵים עָשָׂ֥ר אֲנַ֛חְנוּ אַחִ֖ים בְּנֵ֣י אָבִ֑ינוּ הָאֶחָ֣ד אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וְהַקָּטֹ֥ן הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת אָבִ֖ינוּ בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן

'We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is today with our father in the land of Canaan.'

Family composition retoldWe are
The brothers restate the household facts, including the lost one and the youngest remaining with Jacob.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
שְׁנֵיםtwelvecardinal num m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of nominal clause (numeral)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; first element of compound number: 'twelve brothers.'
עָשָׂ֥רtencardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of compound numeralעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; + שְׁנַיִם = twelve; they give the full family count.
אֲנַ֛חְנוּwe are1cp pers pron · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of nominal clauseאֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; = 'we twelve brothers' — the pronoun identifies the count with their own person.
אַחִ֖יםbrothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Predicate complement (appositive)אָח (H251) 'brother'; 'twelve brothers' — their family solidarity presented as evidence of innocence.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; cstr before אָבִינוּ — 'sons of our father' = full family identity.
אָבִ֑ינוּour fatherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָב (H1)Genitive of construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; + 1cp suf; the patriarch (Jacob) grounds their legitimacy as one family.
הָאֶחָ֣דthe oneart + adj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Subject of relative clauseאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; + article = 'the one (brother)' = Joseph, described as absent.
אֵינֶ֔נּוּis no moreneg existential + 3ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential clauseאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; + 3ms suf = 'he is not'; the brothers believe Joseph dead.
וְהַקָּטֹ֥ןand the youngestconj וְ + art + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Subject of second clauseקָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest, smallest'; Benjamin again — the other absent one.
הַיּ֛וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; + article = 'today'; Benjamin is presently with Jacob — not absent like Joseph.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositionאֵת (H854) 'with'; comitative — Benjamin is 'with our father.'
אָבִ֖ינוּour fatherN m sg cstr + 1cp suf · אָב (H1)Object of comitative prepאָב (H1) 'father'; + 1cp suf; Benjamin remains under Jacob's protective custody.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; locates Benjamin geographically — still in Canaan, untouched by Egypt.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanprop N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive of locative phraseכְּנַעַן (H3667); the homeland — Benjamin is safe there, which is why they came without him.
33

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ הָאִישׁ֙ אֲדֹנֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ בְּזֹ֣את אֵדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כֵנִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ הַנִּ֣יחוּ אִתִּ֔י וְאֶת רַעֲב֥וֹן בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם קְח֥וּ וָלֵֽכוּ

'And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go.'

Conditions of proof reportedAnd the man said
Joseph's terms are now transmitted home: one brother remains, grain may go, and honesty must be proved.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (reported speech cont.)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (Joseph's terms relayed)אָמַר (H559); Joseph's words now relayed by the brothers to Jacob.
אֵלֵ֗ינוּto usprep אֶל + 1cp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) + 1cp suf; Joseph's words as they addressed the brothers directly.
הָאִישׁ֙the manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the brothers still refer to Joseph anonymously as 'the man'.
אֲדֹנֵ֣יlord ofN m pl cstr · אָדוֹן (H113)Appositive (title, construct)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord'; pl majest cstr; the same title as v30 — repeated to echo authority.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of appositive constructאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'lord of the land' — Egypt's chief administrator.
בְּזֹ֣אתby thisprep בְּ + f sg demonstr · זֹאת (H2063)Instrumental phrase (means of knowing)זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; 'by this means' — the test is how Joseph will verify their honesty.
אֵדַ֔עI will knowQal impf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (verification claim)→ Yiqtol imperfective: future knowing through testיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Joseph's stated purpose — the test will produce knowledge of their character.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complement conjכִּי (H3588) introducing content clause — what Joseph will come to know.
כֵנִ֖יםhonestadj m pl abs · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjectiveכֵּן (H3651) 'honest, upright'; the test result Joseph is looking for — same adj as vv11,19,31.
אַתֶּ֑םyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of nominal clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; fifth use in this chapter — the identity in question throughout.
אֲחִיכֶ֤םyour brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Direct object (fronted)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin fronted as the crucial figure of the test.
הָֽאֶחָד֙the oneart + adj m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive/appositive modifierאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; + article = 'the one (specific) brother' — Benjamin singled out.
הַנִּ֣יחוּleave behindHiphil impv 2mp · נוּחַ (H5117)Main imperative→ Volitional: command to leave Benjaminנוּחַ Hiphil (H5117) 'to rest, leave, deposit'; they must leave one brother (Simeon, already taken) while one goes.
אִתִּ֔יwith meprep + 1cs suf · אֵת (H854)Comitative phrase (host/jailor)אֵת (H854) comitative 'with'; the hostage stays with Joseph as pledge.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating obj markerאֵת (H853) marks רַעֲבוֹן as object of subsequent verb.
רַעֲב֥וֹןfamine-grain ofN m sg cstr · רַעֲבוֹן (H7459)Direct object (construct head)רַעֲבוֹן (H7459) 'famine, hunger'; cstr governing בָּתֵּיכֶם — grain relief for their families.
בָּתֵּיכֶ֖םyour householdsN m pl cstr + 2mp suf · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive of construct chainבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; + 2mp suf; grain for their dependent families in Canaan.
קְח֥וּtakeQal impv 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinated imperative→ Volitional: command to take grain homeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; they may take grain — provision given alongside the condition.
וָלֵֽכוּand goconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinated imperative (departure)→ Volitional: departure commandedיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the second imperative — take the grain and go home.
34

וְ֠הָבִיאוּ אֶת אֲחִיכֶ֣ם הַקָּטֹן֮ אֵלַי֒ וְאֵֽדְעָ֗ה כִּ֣י לֹ֤א מְרַגְּלִים֙ אַתֶּ֔ם כִּ֥י כֵנִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אֶת אֲחִיכֶם֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן לָכֶ֔ם וְאֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ תִּסְחָֽרוּ

'And bring your youngest brother to me, and I shall know that you are not spies but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.'

Benjamin required and trade promisedAnd bring
The return of the youngest brother becomes the threshold both for Simeon's release and for future movement in the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְ֠הָבִיאוּand bringconj וְ + Hiphil impv 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Main imperative (continued instruction)→ Volitional: command to bring Benjaminבּוֹא Hiphil (H935) 'to bring'; the decisive action required — Benjamin must come to Egypt.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking אֲחִיכֶם as definite direct object of וְהָבִיאוּ.
אֲחִיכֶ֣םyour brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Direct objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; Benjamin as the pivotal figure — his arrival will settle the test.
הַקָּטֹן֮the youngestart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive modifierקָטֹן (H6996) 'youngest, smallest'; again identified by birth rank — the key identifying marker.
אֵלַי֒to meprep אֶל + 1cs suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 1cs suf; 'to me' = to Joseph personally; the test requires direct encounter.
וְאֵֽדְעָ֗הthat I may knowconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Cohortative purpose clause→ Yiqtol/cohort: volitional purpose of bringing Benjaminיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; cohortative expressing desired knowledge — the test's goal stated personally.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complement conjכִּי (H3588); introduces content of what Joseph will know — their honesty or guilt.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negationלֹא (H3808); negates מְרַגְּלִים — the hoped-for verdict is not-spies.
מְרַגְּלִים֙spiesPiel ptc m pl abs · רָגַל (H7270)Predicate (identity denial)→ Participle: definitive identity to be disprovedרָגַל Piel (H7270) 'to spy'; sixth instance — the charge is finally nearing resolution.
אַתֶּ֔םyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of identity clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; sixth use in the chapter — their identity in question to the very end.
כִּ֥יbut thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/contrastive conjכִּי (H3588) contrastive — 'not spies, but honest men.'
כֵנִ֖יםhonest menadj m pl abs · כֵּן (H3651)Predicate adjective (true identity)כֵּן (H3651) 'honest, right'; the positive verdict sought — repeated for the fifth time in the chapter.
אַתֶּ֑םyou are2mp pers pron · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of predicate clauseאַתֶּם (H859) 'you'; repeated for emphasis — both subject and predicate explicit.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) marks אֲחִיכֶם as object of the subsequent verb.
אֲחִיכֶם֙your brotherN m sg cstr + 2mp suf · אָח (H251)Direct object (fronted promise)אָח (H251) 'brother'; Simeon — held as hostage — will be returned upon their compliance.
אֶתֵּ֣ןI will giveQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (promise)→ Yiqtol imperfective: promised future actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the promised reward: Simeon returned if they prove honest.
לָכֶ֔םto youprep לְ + 2mp suf · לְIndirect object (benefactive)לְ + 2mp suf; 'to you' = your brother given back to you; conditional restoration.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating obj markerאֵת (H853) coordinates with the first promise — a second benefit: access to the land.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object (second promise)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; freedom to trade throughout Egypt, not merely to purchase grain once.
תִּסְחָֽרוּyou shall tradeQal impf 2mp · סָחַר (H5503)Predicate verb (second promise)→ Yiqtol: future freedom of trade grantedסָחַר (H5503) 'to trade, go about as merchant'; full trading rights in Egypt as reward for honesty.
35

וַיְהִ֗י הֵ֚ם מְרִיקִ֣ים שַׂקֵּיהֶ֔ם וְהִנֵּה אִ֥ישׁ צְרוֹר כַּסְפּ֖וֹ בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹ וַיִּרְא֞וּ אֶת צְרֹר֧וֹת כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛ם הֵ֥מָּה וַאֲבִיהֶ֖ם וַיִּירָֽאוּ

And it came to pass as they were emptying their sacks, behold, each man's bundle of money was in his sack; and they saw their bundles of money, they and their father, and they were afraid.

All the money discoveredAnd it came to pass
The later discovery of every money bundle intensifies the earlier fear and spreads it across the whole family.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (narrative intro)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative transition formulaהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; וַיְהִי formula introduces new scene: the sack-emptying.
הֵ֚םthey were3mp pers pron · הֵם (H1992)Subject of circumstantial clauseהֵם (H1992) 'they'; circumstantial subject — the brothers in the act of emptying sacks.
מְרִיקִ֣יםemptyingHiphil ptc m pl abs · רוּק (H7324)Predicate participle (circumstantial)→ Participle: action in progress when discovery madeרוּק Hiphil (H7324) 'to empty, pour out'; the emptying of their sacks for unpacking at home.
שַׂקֵּיהֶ֔םtheir sacksN m pl cstr + 3mp suf · שַׂק (H8242)Direct object of participleשַׂק (H8242) 'sack, bag'; + 3mp suf; plural — all their sacks are being emptied together.
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (repeated discovery)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; the collective discovery now matches the single discovery of v27.
אִ֥ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (distributive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive — each man finds his own money-bundle in his own sack.
צְרוֹרbundle ofN m sg cstr · צְרוֹר (H6872)Direct object (construct head)צְרוֹר (H6872) 'bundle, pouch'; from צָרַר 'to bind'; the money was bundled, not loose.
כַּסְפּ֖וֹhis moneyN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of construct chainכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; + 3ms suf; each man's personal bundle — a personal terror.
בְּשַׂקּ֑וֹin his sackprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · שַׂק (H8242)Locative phraseשַׂק (H8242) 'sack'; in each man's own sack — parallels v27 but is now collective.
וַיִּרְא֞וּand they sawQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (group sight)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (collective discovery)רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the collective seeing mirrors the individual sight of v27.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking צְרֹרוֹת כַּסְפֵּיהֶם as definite object.
צְרֹר֧וֹתthe bundles ofN m pl cstr · צְרוֹר (H6872)Direct object (construct head)צְרוֹר (H6872) 'bundles'; pl — all their money-bundles discovered together at home.
כַּסְפֵּיהֶ֛םtheir moneyN m pl cstr + 3mp suf · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of construct chainכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; + 3mp suf; collective — all ten brothers' money returned.
הֵ֥מָּהthey3mp pers pron · הֵמָּה (H1992)Disjunctive subject (new clause)הֵמָּה (H1992) 'they'; marks new clause — 'they and their father were afraid.'
וַאֲבִיהֶ֖םand their fatherconj וְ + N m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Coordinated subjectאָב (H1) 'father'; + 3mp suf; Jacob joins them in fear — the whole family is undone.
וַיִּירָֽאוּand they fearedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (collective fear)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (terror reaches the family)יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; the collective terror — money found + hostage demanded + Benjamin needed.
36

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ יַעֲקֹ֣ב אֲבִיהֶ֔ם אֹתִ֖י שִׁכַּלְתֶּ֑ם יוֹסֵ֤ף אֵינֶ֨נּוּ֙ וְשִׁמְע֣וֹן אֵינֶ֔נּוּ וְאֶת בִּנְיָמִ֣ן תִּקָּ֔חוּ עָלַ֖י הָי֥וּ כֻלָּֽנָה

And Jacob their father said to them, 'You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin. All these things are against me.'

Jacob gathers the losses into lamentAnd Jacob said
Joseph, Simeon, and Benjamin are drawn into one bereavement cry, as Jacob reads everything as another assault upon him.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (Jacob's response)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (patriarch speaks)אָמַר (H559); Jacob speaks — the climactic paternal lament of the chapter.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suf · אֶל (H413)Indirect objectאֶל (H413) + 3mp suf; Jacob addresses all the returning brothers.
יַעֲקֹ֣בJacobprop N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject (postverbal)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); the patriarch named as speaker — his lament anchors the chapter's pathos.
אֲבִיהֶ֔םtheir fatherN m sg cstr + 3mp suf · אָב (H1)Appositive to Jacobאָב (H1) 'father'; + 3mp suf; his role emphasized — he speaks as bereft patriarch.
אֹתִ֖יmeobj marker + 1cs suf · אֵת (H853)Direct object (fronted — emphatic)אֵת (H853) + 1cs suf; 'me you have bereaved' — fronted for maximum pathos.
שִׁכַּלְתֶּ֑םyou have bereavedPiel perf 2mp · שָׁכַל (H7921)Predicate verb (accusation)→ Perfective: completed act of bereavement namedשָׁכַל Piel (H7921) 'to bereave, deprive of children'; Jacob accuses the sons of causing his loss.
יוֹסֵ֤ףJosephprop N · יוֹסֵף (H3130)Subject (nominal clause)יוֹסֵף (H3130); Joseph named first — his loss is the paradigm of bereavement.
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ֙is no moreneg existential + 3ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential clauseאַיִן (H369) + 3ms suf; 'he is not' — Joseph believed dead, loss still raw.
וְשִׁמְע֣וֹןand Simeonconj וְ + prop N · שִׁמְעוֹן (H8095)Coordinated subjectשִׁמְעוֹן (H8095); the current hostage — also absent, also lost in Jacob's accounting.
אֵינֶ֔נּוּis no moreneg existential + 3ms suf · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of coordinated existential clauseאַיִן (H369) + 3ms suf; Simeon too is 'not' — doubly bereaved father.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinating obj markerאֵת (H853) marks בִּנְיָמִן as definite object of the following verb.
בִּנְיָמִ֣ןBenjaminprop N · בִּנְיָמִן (H1144)Direct object (threatened)בִּנְיָמִן (H1144); the third son Jacob fears losing — his last consolation after Joseph.
תִּקָּ֔חוּyou will takeQal impf 2mp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (feared future)→ Yiqtol imperfective: dreaded future takingלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Jacob fears they will take Benjamin — the final loss he cannot survive.
עָלַ֖יagainst meprep עַל + 1cs suf · עַל (H5921)Adversative phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; 'against me' — all things work against him; existential dread.
הָי֥וּhave beenQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (complaint clause)→ Perfective: completed pattern of adversityהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; 'all these things are against me' — sweeping lament.
כֻלָּֽנָהall of themN f pl + 1cp suf? · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of complaintכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; f pl כֻּלָּנָה = 'all of them' (the misfortunes); Jacob's all-encompassing sense of loss.
37

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר רְאוּבֵן֙ אֶל אָבִ֣יו לֵאמֹ֔ר אֶת שְׁנֵ֤י בָנַי֙ תָּמִ֔ית אִם לֹ֥א אֲבִיאֶ֖נּוּ אֵלֶ֑יךָ תְּנָ֤ה אֹתוֹ֙ עַל יָדִ֔י וַאֲנִ֖י אֲשִׁיבֶ֥נּוּ אֵלֶֽיךָ

And Reuben spoke to his father, saying, 'You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Put him into my hand, and I will bring him back to you.'

Reuben offers a desperate guaranteeAnd Reuben spoke
Reuben's pledge is intense but badly judged, offering his own sons as security in an attempt to move his father.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (Reuben's pledge)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (firstborn intercedes)אָמַר (H559); Reuben responds to Jacob's lament with a bold pledge.
רְאוּבֵן֙Reubenprop N · רְאוּבֵן (H7205)Subject (postverbal)רְאוּבֵן (H7205); the firstborn takes responsibility — twice now he tries to protect lives (cf. Gen 37:22).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to'; Reuben speaks directly to the patriarch.
אָבִ֣יוhis fatherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָב (H1)Indirect objectאָב (H1) 'father'; + 3ms suf; Reuben addresses Jacob as his father — filial authority and appeal.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf cstr · אָמַר (H559)Inf cstr (quotative marker)→ Inf cstr: introduces Reuben's direct speechאָמַר (H559) inf cstr with לְ; the pledge is now given in direct speech.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שְׁנֵי בָנַי as definite object of תָּמִית.
שְׁנֵ֤יtwo ofcardinal num m du cstr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Direct object (numeral construct)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; cstr before בָנַי — 'my two sons' pledged as guarantee for Benjamin.
בָנַי֙my sonsN m pl cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; + 1cs suf; Reuben stakes his own sons as surety — desperate personal pledge.
תָּמִ֔יתput to deathHiphil impf 2ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (conditional)→ Yiqtol: contingent permitted killing (apodosis)מוּת Hiphil (H4191) 'to kill, put to death'; Reuben authorizes Jacob to kill his own sons if he fails.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) conditional; introduces the condition: 'if I do not bring Benjamin back.'
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation (conditional protasis)לֹא (H3808); + אֲבִיאֶנּוּ = 'if I do not bring him back.'
אֲבִיאֶ֖נּוּbring him backHiphil impf 1cs + 3ms suf · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate of conditional clause (protasis)→ Yiqtol imperfective: pledged future actionבּוֹא Hiphil (H935) 'to bring'; + 3ms suf = 'bring him (Benjamin) back'; the pledge's condition.
אֵלֶ֑יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 2ms suf; 'to you' = back to Jacob; personal return to the father.
תְּנָ֤הgiveQal impv 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Main imperative (request)→ Volitional: request to entrust Benjaminנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Reuben requests custody of Benjamin — entrust him to me.
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker + 3ms suf · אֵת (H853)Direct objectאֵת (H853) + 3ms suf; Benjamin as object of entrusting — placed under Reuben's guardianship.
עַלunderprep · עַל (H5921)Locative/delegating prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, under'; 'upon my hand' = into my charge, my responsibility.
יָדִ֔יmy handN c sg cstr + 1cs suf · יָד (H3027)Object of delegating prepיָד (H3027) 'hand'; יָד as symbol of guardianship — Reuben's person stands as surety.
וַאֲנִ֖יand Iconj וְ + 1cs pers pron · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subjectאֲנִי (H589) 'I'; emphatic personal pronoun — Reuben takes sole responsibility on himself.
אֲשִׁיבֶ֥נּוּwill bring him backHiphil impf 1cs + 3ms suf · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (promise)→ Yiqtol: first-person pledged future actionשׁוּב Hiphil (H7725) 'to return, restore'; + 3ms suf; Reuben pledges to restore Benjamin personally.
אֵלֶֽיךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suf · אֶל (H413)Directional complementאֶל (H413) + 2ms suf; 'to you' = to Jacob; the restoration is a personal act between firstborn and patriarch.
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וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לֹֽא יֵרֵ֥ד בְּנִ֖י עִמָּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי אָחִ֨יו מֵ֜ת וְה֧וּא לְבַדּ֣וֹ נִשְׁאָ֗ר וּקְרָאָ֤הוּ אָסוֹן֙ בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֵּֽלְכוּ בָ֔הּ וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֧ם אֶת שֵׂיבָתִ֛י בְּיָג֖וֹן שְׁאֽוֹלָה

But he said, 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left; if disaster should befall him on the way by which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair in sorrow to Sheol.'

Jacob refuses the second descentBut he said
The father closes the narrative by refusing to risk Benjamin, fearing that one more disaster will bring his old age down to Sheol in sorrow.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (Jacob's refusal)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance (climactic refusal)אָמַר (H559); Jacob's refusal closes the chapter with pathos and irony.
לֹֽאnoneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Absolute negationלֹא (H3808); single word refusal — absolute, unequivocal; Jacob will not release Benjamin.
יֵרֵ֥דshall go downQal impf 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (refused action)→ Yiqtol imperfective: negated future actionיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; 'Benjamin shall not go down to Egypt' — the refusal stated.
בְּנִ֖יmy sonN m sg cstr + 1cs suf · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; + 1cs suf; 'my son' — Jacob will not surrender Benjamin.
עִמָּכֶ֑םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suf · עִם (H5973)Comitative phrase (rejected)עִם (H5973) 'with'; 'with you' = in your company; Jacob refuses to let Benjamin travel with them.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (reason for refusal)כִּי (H3588) causal; introduces Jacob's stated reason — Joseph's presumed death.
אָחִ֨יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suf · אָח (H251)Subject of relative clauseאָח (H251) 'brother'; + 3ms suf = Joseph — 'his brother (Joseph) is dead.'
מֵ֜תis deadQal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: Joseph's death as completed factמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; Jacob believes Joseph dead — the wound that makes every new risk unbearable.
וְה֧וּאand he aloneconj וְ + 3ms pers pron · הוּא (H1931)Contrastive subjectהוּא (H1931) 'he'; + וְ contrastive — 'and he (Benjamin) is the only one left.'
לְבַדּ֣וֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suf · בַּד (H905)Predicate complement (aloneness)בַּד (H905) 'alone, separation'; + 3ms suf = 'by himself alone'; Benjamin is the last link to Rachel.
נִשְׁאָ֗רremainsNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (existential clause)→ Perfective: present state of being sole survivorשָׁאַר Niphal (H7604) 'to remain, be left'; the Niphal passive — he is the one left over, the survivor.
וּקְרָאָ֤הוּand should befall himconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms + 3ms suf · קָרָה (H7136)Weqatal conditional apodosis→ Perfective/weqatal: hypothetical future eventקָרָה (H7136) 'to happen, befall'; + 3ms suf; 'if harm should befall him' — the feared calamity.
אָסוֹן֙harmN m sg abs · אָסוֹן (H611)Subject of impersonal verbאָסוֹן (H611) 'harm, calamity, fatal accident'; rare word (Gen 42, 44) — unspecified but fatal danger.
בַּדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙on the roadprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative phrase (feared setting)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the road to Egypt — where the harm might occur.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying הַדֶּרֶךְ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative; 'the road which you travel' — the journey route specified.
תֵּֽלְכוּyou travelQal impf 2mp · יָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate of relative clause→ Yiqtol imperfective: habitual/ongoing travelיָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the road they will travel — Jacob imagines the danger vividly.
בָ֔הּon itprep בְּ + 3fs suf · בְּResumptive pronoun (referencing הַדֶּרֶךְ)בְּ + 3fs suf; resumptive after relative — 'on it (the road)'; grammatical agreement with f sg דֶּרֶךְ.
וְהוֹרַדְתֶּ֧םyou will bring downconj וְ + Hiphil perf 2mp · יָרַד (H3381)Weqatal consecutive (consequence)→ Perfective/weqatal: consequence of feared harmיָרַד Hiphil (H3381) 'to bring down'; Jacob says they would bring him to Sheol — final consequence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שֵׂיבָתִי as definite object of וְהוֹרַדְתֶּם.
שֵׂיבָתִ֛יmy gray hairN c sg cstr + 1cs suf · שֵׂיבָה (H7872)Direct objectשֵׂיבָה (H7872) 'gray hair, old age'; metonymy for his whole aged self — 'you will bring my gray hair down.'
בְּיָג֖וֹןin sorrowprep בְּ + N m sg abs · יָגוֹן (H3015)Manner/state phraseיָגוֹן (H3015) 'sorrow, grief'; from יָגָה 'to grieve'; 'in sorrow' = the emotional state of his death.
שְׁאֽוֹלָהto SheolN c sg abs + dir ה · שְׁאוֹל (H7585)Directional complement (destination)שְׁאוֹל (H7585) 'Sheol, underworld'; + dir ה = 'down to Sheol'; the grave as ultimate destination — Jacob's closing word.