Gênesis 43
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Gênesis 43:1-10
43:2 The text does not say how long the first installment of grain lasted, but Simeon is in prison the whole time and Jacob has not acted! Finally when the grain ran out Jacob took action. go back, BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE buy us a little food, BDB 991, KB 1404, Qal IMPERATIVE 43:3 "Judah spoke to him" At this point in the narrative Judah will become the significant son. The leadership of Reuben has been diminished. ▣ "solemnly warned" This is an intensified grammatical structure (i.e., the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and PERFECT VERB of the same root which is also found in Gen. 43:7 [twice] and Gen. 43:20). The VERB (BDB 229, KB 795, Hiphil PERFECT) means to bear witness (cf. Exod. 19:21; Deut. 32:46) to warn (cf. Exod. 21:29; 1 Kgs. 2:42; Neh. 13:15,21) ▣ "see my face" This is an idiom for an audience with Joseph (cf. 2 Sam. 14:24). He supervised the sale of grain. If they could not see him, they could not buy grain (cf. Gen. 43:5). 43:4-5 Judah continued to address his father, Jacob/Israel. we will go down, BDB 432, KB 434, Qal cohortative we will buy you food, BDB 991, KB 1404, Qal cohortative Judah's (and the brothers) actions are dependant on Jacob's decision about sending Benjamin. 43:6 Jacob criticizes them for sharing too much information about the family. Jacob uses a strong VERB (BDB 949, KB 1269, Hiphil PERFECT). Its basic meaning in the Hiphil stem is "to do harm" (cf. Gen. 19:9; 31:7; Exod. 5:22-23; Num. 11:11; 20:15; Jos. 24:20). 43:7 The brothers defend themselves emphatically. The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, BDB 981, KB 1371, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and the Qal PERFECT VERB of the same root How could we possibly know. . ., BDB 393, KB 390, Qal INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and the Qal IMPERFECT VERB of the same root That he would say, "bring your brother down," BDB 432, KB 434, Hiphil IMPERATIVE 43:8-10 Judah (fourth and last son of Leah, cf. Gen. 29:35) becomes the spokesman again for the nine older brothers (cf. Gen. 44:14-34; 46:25-34). Send the lad with me, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Qal IMPERATIVE We will arise, BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal COHORTATIVE We will go, BDB 229, KB 246, Qal COHORTATIVE That we may live, BDB 310, KB 309, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense And we may not die, BDB 559, KB 562, Qal IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense (cf. Gen. 42:2) When the bread was eaten it was time to make a decision. Judah's pragmatism is to the point (cf. Gen. 43:10). If they do not go for bread, all of them will die, including Benjamin and Jacob. The rationale is overwhelming. They had to go to Egypt for more food and the condition for more food was the presence of Benjamin. Judah again tries to assure his father in Gen. 43:9, which seems to imply a belief in an afterlife. 43:9 "I myself will be surety for him" The word "surety" (BDB 786 II, KB 876, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Gen. 44:32) links this chapter with chapter 38 (cf. Gen. 43:17). Judah is becoming more and more a central figure (cf. Gen. 49:8-12).
Gênesis 43:11-15
43:11-14 Jacob/Israel realizes the necessity and directs his older male children. do this, Gen. 43:11, BDB 793, KB 889, Qal IMPERATIVE take some of. . ., Gen. 43:11, BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE carry down to the man, Gen. 43:11, BDB 432, KB 434, Hiphil IMPERATIVE take double the money, Gen. 43:12, BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE take back in your hand the money that was returned, Gen. 43:12, BDB 996, KB 1427, Hiphil IMPERATIVE (this is the third and fourth usage of this VERB in this context) take your brother, Gen. 43:13, BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE arise, Gen. 43:13, BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE return to the man, Gen. 43:13, BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERATIVE may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, Gen. 43:14, BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense that he may release your other brother, Gen. 43:14, BDB 1018, KB 1511, Piel PERFECT with waw 43:11 "the best produce of the land" NKJV, Peshitta "the best fruits of the land" "the choice fruits of the land" "the best products of the land" "of the country's best products" "some of the produce for which our country is famous" "some of the fruits of the land" "the choice products of the land" The word (BDB 275 II) is used only here in the OT. Other related roots may bring the connotation in this context of "acceptable Egyptian food." NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 119 says it is related to "strength," but that does not fit this context. A list of items is given that were regularly part of caravans (cf. Gen. 37:25). Joseph knew the products well since he had to travel with one of these caravans (as a slave) to Egypt. 43:12 NASB, TEV, NJB, REB, LXX, JPSOA "mistake" NKJV, NRSV, Peshitta "oversight" The term (BDB 993) is found only here. The root means "go astray" or "err." In Job 12:16 it is translated "misled." NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 44, says the root indicates an "intentional commission of wrongful acts" (cf. Lev. 4:13; 1 Sam. 26:21; Ps. 119:21,118; Ezek. 45:20). 43:14 "and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man" Jacob sends them off in the name of the covenant God. This name, El Shaddai, was used first by Abraham (cf. Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3). The term El is the general name for God in the Ancient Near East and seems to come from the root, "to be strong." The term Shaddai may be from the term for a woman's breast and implies "the all-sufficient One." It seems from Exod. 6:3 that this term El Shaddai was the common patriarchal name for God. SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADDAI 43:15 The bringing of a gift was a very common cultural practice of appropriate manners. The items listed would be unique to Canaan and would be sought after in Egypt, but they were not enough to keep one's family and cattle alive. The giving of a "present" (BDB 585) is similar to Jacob's gifts to Esau in Genesis 32.
Gênesis 43:16-25
43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin he prepared for a special noon meal. bring the men into the house, BDB 97, KB 112, Hiphil IMPERATIVE slay an animal, BDB 370, KB 368, Qal IMPERATIVE make ready, BDB 465, KB 464, Hiphil IMPERATIVE Egyptians mostly ate fish and fowl with vegetables and lots of bread. The slaughter of a larger animal was done at the home and only for special occasions (cf. James W. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, p. 50). 43:18 "afraid" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT) ▣ "he may seek occasion against us" This is an unusual and rare metaphor. The VERB (BDB 164 II, KB 193, Hithpoel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) means "to roll" or "to roll away." Here it implies "rolling over somebody so as to hurt them." The only other usage in this stem is 2 Sam. 20:12, where it denotes rolling in ones own blood. ▣ "and fall upon us" This VERB (BDB 656, KB 709, Hithpael INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT), in the Qal stem is used for being attacked (cf. Jos. 11:7; Job 1:15) or falling into the hands (power) of an enemy (cf. Jdg. 15:18). The use of this VERB in this stem is unique to this text. These brothers did not understand why they were being brought to Joseph's home and were very frightened. They thought it was related to their first visit and the money in their sacks (cf. Gen. 43:20-22). 43:19 "So they came near to Joseph's house steward" This man seems to be very well informed. This is true not only of the details of Joseph's plan, but of the theology that informed Joseph's faith. It is my assumption that Joseph had shared with the members of his own household and Egyptian associates about his personal faith in the covenant God of Abraham. It is interesting that the sons of Jacob in Gen. 43:18 are so overwhelmed in the presence of the splendor of Egypt that they would have the nomadic fears of someone wanting to steal their animals. This is really a case of "country folks who had come to the big city." 43:20 "we indeed came down the first time" This phrase is intensified by the use of an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and a PERFECT VERB of the same root (BDB 432, KB 434, both Qal stems). 43:23 "Be at ease" There is no VERB, just a PREPOSITION and the NOUN shalom. It is an implied IMPERATIVE. ▣ "do not be afraid" This VERB (BDB 431, KB 432) is a Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense.
Gênesis 43:26-34
43:27,29 Joseph asks a series of questions about their family. They must have remembered their father's deep feelings about revealing this information (cf. Gen. 43:6). Is your father well (no VERB, for shalom see Gen. 29:6) Is he still alive (no VERB) Is this your youngest brother (no VERB) 43:29 "May God be gracious to you, my son" Joseph singles out Benjamin for a special greeting ("be gracious," BDB 335, KB 334, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense). Notice Joseph expresses his theological worldview. 43:30 "Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brothers" This is translated literally "his compassions were warmed" (BDB 485, KB 481, Niphal PERFECT, cf. 1 Kgs. 3:26). The word "compassion" (BDB 933) literally means "feelings for those of the same womb" (i.e., brotherly affection). 43:31 "Serve the meal" This is literally "set on bread" (BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE). It is interesting from Gen. 43:31-33 that the Egyptians sat in chairs around a table for their meals, while the Canaanite Hebrews reclined on their left elbow. There were cultural tensions between the Egyptians and Canaanites (here Hebrews), cf. Gen. 43:32. This fits the historical situation exactly and shows the historicity of this account (cf. James M. Freeman, Manners and Customs of the Bible, p. 52). 43:32 "So they served him by himself" It seems that not only was Benjamin singled out for a special seat but also for extra food (cf. Gen. 43:34). Apparently Joseph is trying to make the other brothers jealous to see their reaction. He was trying to see if the same character traits which exploded in his own situation twenty years earlier were still present or if they had been mediated through the years. ▣ "the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians" This may well be the explanation of Gen. 39:6 of why Potiphar was concerned about his own food preparation. Some quote Heroditus, 2:41, as a historical corroboration of this view. It seems that the Egyptians held in contempt all those who ate cattle for they viewed cattle as being sacred, much like the modern Hindus. This may clarify Gen. 46:34 and Exod. 8:26. ▣ "loathsome" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION 43:33 Apparently, the Egyptian servants seated the brothers in birth order. How did they know this? Joseph is continuing to reveal his identity. 43:34 "but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as theirs" It seems quite possible that the number "five" is a significant number in Egypt for throughout this account the number "five" appears regularly (cf. Gen. 43:34; 45:6,11,22; 47:2,24). One wonders what the brothers must have thought when Joseph served them from his own table and gave Benjamin so much more?! The term "portion" (BDB 673) denotes a piece of meat (cf. 2 Sam. 11:8; Esther 2:18; Jer. 40:5). It was not beef! ▣ "they feasted and drank freely" The two VERBS ("drink," BDB 1059, KB 1667 and "drunk," BDB 1016, KB 1500) sound very much alike (cf. Gen. 9:21). What a party they had!