Genesis 43:20

Genesis 43:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
• New International Version (NIV)“We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and said, "Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;

Context of Genesis 43:20

18The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken into Joseph’s house. “It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.” 19The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace. “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt once before to buy food. 21But as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s money—the exact amount paid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we have brought it back with us. 22We also have additional money to buy more food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”

Genesis 43:20 word by word

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֑י יָרֹ֥ד יָרַ֛דְנוּ בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה לִשְׁבָּר־אֹֽכֶל׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Oבִּיbîy · pleaseH994
• sirאָדוֹן'âdôn 'âdôn · lordH113
• we came indeedיָרַדyârad · to go downH3381
• at the first timeתְּחִלָּהtechillâh · beginningH8462
• to buyשָׁבַרshâbar · to buy grainH7666
• foodאֹ֫כֶל'ôkel · foodH400

Cross-references for Genesis 43:20

• Genesis 43:3But Judah said, “The man was serious when he warned us, ‘You won’t see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
• Genesis 42:3So Joseph’s ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain.

Commentaries on Genesis 43:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20O sir, we came indeed - to buy food - There is a frankness now in the conduct of Joseph's brethren that did not exist before; they simply and honestly relate the whole circumstance of the money being found in their sacks on their return from their last journey. Afflictions from the hand of God, and under his direction, have a wonderful tendency to humble the soul. Did men know how gracious his designs are in sending such, no murmur would ever be heard…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-34Verses 1-34 - Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ debash “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים bôṭen “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד shâqêd “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז lûz Some refer the former to the fruit, the latter to the tree. The eleven brothers are now to bow down before Joseph. Genesis 43:1-10 The famine was severe. The pressure began to be felt more and more. The twelve households had…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-25Verses 15-25 Jacob's sons went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food, as they did for bodily food. Joseph's steward had orders from his master to take them to his house. Even this frightened them. Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing. But the steward encouraged them. It appears, from what he said, that by his good…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-22The brothers, completely vulnerable and feeling the weight of God’s judgment on their consciences, approached the manager in desperation.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-3015. stood before Joseph--We may easily imagine the delight with which, amid the crowd of other applicants, the eye of Joseph would fix on his brethren and Benjamin. But occupied with his public duties, he consigned them to the care of a confidential servant till he should have finished the business of the day.Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 43:20

• Integrity
• Money

In the dictionaries

• Blame
• Chamber
• Famine
• Joseph
• Merry
• Yearn
• Antediluvian Patriarchs
• Genesis
• Jacob (1)
• Joseph (2)

Commentaries on Genesis 43

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings