Old Testament · Law

Genesis 43:7

Benjamin

They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?” Genesis 43:7 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Genesis 43:7, in plain English

The sons explain that they didn't volunteer information—the Egyptian official specifically asked them detailed questions about their family, and they answered honestly because they had no reason to hide anything.

Why it's here

The sons are defending themselves. They didn't create this situation out of carelessness; they were interrogated by Joseph (though they don't know it's Joseph) and answered his direct questions. They're saying, 'What were we supposed to do, lie?'

Who's speaking

The sons respond to Jacob's accusation, explaining how they were questioned and why they answered as they did.

Where it sits in the story

This is an interesting moment where you see how God's plan works through normal human conversation and questioning. Joseph was gathering information about his family while his brothers had no idea who he really was.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

The brothers defend themselves by explaining that Joseph's questions about their family were so thorough that they had no choice but to reveal Benjamin's existence.

Language and setting

Their response (וַיִּשְׁמְרוּ־זֶה אֶת־זֶה, 'they questioned us thoroughly') suggests Joseph's interrogation was systematic and inescapable. The brothers' logic is sound: deception under such scrutiny would have been impossible, and truthfulness was the only viable response. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of detailed inquiry before granting commercial privileges.

Voice

Jacob's sons, collectively responding to his rebuke

Significance

The brothers' justified defense demonstrates their transparency and absence of guile in this critical moment—a contrast to their earlier deception of Jacob regarding Joseph, suggesting moral development through consequence and time.

In context

Genesis 43:5–9

5But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”

6“Why did you bring this trouble upon me?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man you had another brother?”

7They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?”

8And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children.

9I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life.

Read all of Genesis 43 — Joseph's brothers return to Egypt with the youngest. The table is set for a reckoning — and a revelation.

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