Genesis-Chapter-43

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Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Genesis Chapter 43”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Genesis 43 marks a critical turning point as the famine intensifies, forcing Jacob to confront reality. Survival demands a return to Egypt, but the journey hinges entirely on the release of Benjamin. This chapter shifts focus toward Judah, who steps into structural leadership by pledging personal surety for the youngest son. The narrative highlights the tension between parental fear and collective survival, culminating in an anxious return to Egypt. There, suspicion turns to bewilderment as the brothers are brought into Joseph’s home, not for punishment, but for a meticulously ordered feast!

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Let us now read Genesis Chapter 43, verses 1 to 34: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary for this study.

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

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My Commentary for verses 1 to 34:

Verses 1-2: The famine remains severe in Canaan, forcing the family to consume all grain from the first Egyptian journey. Jacob commands his sons to return for more food, initially ignoring the governor’s strict ultimatum regarding Benjamin.

Verses 3-5: Judah confronts Jacob directly, refusing to travel without Benjamin. He emphasizes the Egyptian lord’s solemn warning that they will not see his face unless their youngest brother is present.

Verses 6-7: Jacob complains that his sons brought this trouble upon him by revealing they had another brother. The brothers defend themselves, explaining the ruler questioned them specifically about their lineage and living relatives.

Verses 8-10: Judah steps forward, demanding Jacob commit Benjamin to his care so the family can survive. He pledges his own life as security, promising to bear the blame forever if he fails to bring Benjamin back.

Verses 11-14: Jacob relents, instructing them to carry choice products of the land as gifts, including balm, honey, aromatic resin, pistachios, and almonds. He commands them to take double the money, including the returned silver, and prays for Almighty (El Shaddai) to grant them mercy before the man.

Verses 15-18: The brothers arrive in Egypt with the gifts, double money, and Benjamin. Joseph sees Benjamin and orders his house steward to take the men to his residence to slaughter an animal and prepare a noon feast. The brothers become terrified, fearing they are being trapped and enslaved because of the silver returned in their sacks.

Verses 19-23: The brothers approach the steward at the palace entrance to explain the mysterious return of the money. The steward reassures them, telling them to be at peace, attributing the silver to the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of their father, and brings Simeon out to them.

Verses 24-25: The steward brings the brothers into Joseph’s house, provides water to wash their feet, and feeds their donkeys. The brothers arrange their gifts in preparation for Joseph’s arrival at noon, having heard they would eat a meal there.

Verses 26-28: Joseph enters the house, and the brothers bow low to the ground, presenting their gifts and fulfilling Joseph’s teenage prophetic dreams. Joseph inquires about their welfare and asks if their aged father is still alive and well, to which they affirm and bow again.

Verses 29-31: Joseph looks at Benjamin, his full brother, and pronounces a blessing: “God be gracious to you, my son”. Overwhelmed with emotion, Joseph rushes out to a private room to weep bitterly, washes his face, controls his feelings, and returns to order the meal served.

Verses 32-34: The seating arrangement features three distinct groups: Joseph alone, the Egyptians alone (who view eating with Hebrews as an abomination), and the brothers. The brothers are seated in precise order of their birthright, causing them amazement. Joseph sends portions from his own table, giving Benjamin five times more than anyone else, yet they drink and make merry together!

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My Closing Message:

Genesis 43 illustrates that breakthrough often requires stepping out of our comfort zones. Jacob had to release his tight grip on Benjamin, and the brothers had to return to the place of their greatest fear. When we surrender our anxieties and face difficult situations with honesty and responsibility as Judah did we allow Divine providence to work. Trust that even when you feel trapped by past circumstances, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is often preparing a table of provision and peace behind scenes you cannot see.

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Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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