Genesis 42:31
New International Version
But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

New Living Translation
But we said, ‘We are honest men, not spies.

English Standard Version
But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies.

Berean Standard Bible
But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies.

King James Bible
And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

New King James Version
But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

New American Standard Bible
But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

NASB 1995
“But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

NASB 1977
“But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

Legacy Standard Bible
So we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

Amplified Bible
But we told him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.

Christian Standard Bible
But we told him, ‘We are honest and not spies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But we told him: We are honest and not spies.

American Standard Version
And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

Contemporary English Version
But we told him, "We're honest men, not spies.

English Revised Version
And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But we said to him, 'We're honest men, not spies.

Good News Translation
'We are not spies,' we answered, 'we are honest men.

International Standard Version
But we told him, 'No! We're honest men! We're not spies!

NET Bible
But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies!

New Heart English Bible
But we said to him, 'We are honest men. We are not spies.

Webster's Bible Translation
And we said to him, We are true men; we are no spies:
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies.

World English Bible
We said to him, ‘We are honest men. We are no spies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and we say to him, We [are] right men, we have not been spies,

Young's Literal Translation
and we say unto him, We are right men, we have not been spies,

Smith's Literal Translation
And we shall say to him, We are true; we were not spying;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we answered him: We are peaceable men, and we mean no plot.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we answered him: ‘We are peaceful, and we do not intend any treachery.

New American Bible
But we said to him: ‘We are honest men; we have never been spies.

New Revised Standard Version
But we said to him, ‘We are honest men, we are not spies.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But we said to him, We are pious men; we are not spies;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And we were saying to him, “We are just and we are not spies:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And we said unto him: We are upright men; we are no spies.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And we said to him, We are men of peace, we are not spies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph's Brothers Return to Canaan
30“The man who is lord of the land spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country. 31But we told him, ‘We are honest men, not spies. 32We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in the land of Canaan.’…

Cross References
Genesis 37:5-11
Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...

Genesis 44:19-20
My lord asked his servants, ‘Do you have a father or a brother?’ / And we answered, ‘We have an elderly father and a younger brother, the child of his old age. The boy’s brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother’s sons left, and his father loves him.’

Genesis 43:7
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 45:3-5
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. / Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt! / And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.

Genesis 50:15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge? Then he will surely repay us for all the evil that we did to him.” / So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Before he died, your father commanded, / ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. ...

Exodus 1:10
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.

Deuteronomy 19:16-19
If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ...

1 Samuel 24:9
and said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Look, David intends to harm you’?

2 Kings 5:25-27
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. / But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.

Psalm 120:2-3
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. / What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?

Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Isaiah 29:21
those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.


Treasury of Scripture

And we said to him, We are true men; we are no spies:

true.

Genesis 42:11
We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

Jump to Previous
Designs Evil Honest Right Spies True. Upright
Jump to Next
Designs Evil Honest Right Spies True. Upright
Genesis 42
1. Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.
16. They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies.
18. They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin.
21. They have remorse for Joseph.
24. Simeon is kept for a pledge.
25. They return with grain, and their money.
29. Their relation to Jacob.
36. Jacob refuses to send Benjamin.














But we told him
This phrase reflects the brothers' attempt to communicate their intentions to Joseph, whom they do not recognize. It highlights the theme of misunderstanding and miscommunication that runs throughout the Joseph narrative. The brothers are unaware that they are speaking to Joseph, whom they sold into slavery, and this irony underscores the unfolding drama of reconciliation and redemption.

‘We are honest men
The brothers' claim to honesty is significant given their past deceit, particularly in selling Joseph and lying to their father, Jacob, about his fate. This assertion can be seen as an attempt to distance themselves from their previous actions and present themselves in a new light. It also foreshadows their eventual confession and repentance, which are crucial for their reconciliation with Joseph. The theme of honesty versus deceit is prevalent in the Bible, with Proverbs 12:22 stating, "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy."

not spies.
In the ancient Near East, espionage was a common concern, especially in times of famine or political instability. Egypt, as a powerful nation, would have been particularly vigilant against foreign spies. The brothers' denial of being spies is a direct response to Joseph's accusation, which he uses to test their character and intentions. This accusation serves as a catalyst for the brothers to reflect on their past actions and the consequences thereof. The theme of testing is echoed in other biblical narratives, such as the testing of Abraham in Genesis 22 and the testing of Israel in the wilderness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
- The governor of Egypt, who is testing his brothers to see if they have changed since they sold him into slavery.

2. Joseph's Brothers
- The sons of Jacob who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. They do not recognize Joseph, whom they sold into slavery years earlier.

3. Egypt
- The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy food.

4. Famine
- A severe shortage of food that has affected the entire region, forcing Joseph's brothers to seek sustenance in Egypt.

5. Canaan
- The homeland of Joseph's brothers, where their father Jacob and their families reside.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Integrity
The brothers' claim of honesty is a critical moment. As believers, we are called to live lives of integrity, reflecting truth in our words and actions.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Joseph's journey from slavery to leadership in Egypt demonstrates God's sovereign plan. In our lives, God can use difficult circumstances for His purposes and our growth.

Repentance and Change
The brothers' situation forces them to confront their past actions. True repentance involves acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to live differently.

Trust in God's Provision
The famine drove the brothers to Egypt, where they unknowingly encountered Joseph. This reminds us to trust in God's provision, even in times of scarcity or hardship.

The Power of Forgiveness
Joseph's eventual forgiveness of his brothers is a powerful example of grace. We are called to forgive others as God has forgiven us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 42:31?

2. How does Genesis 42:31 demonstrate Joseph's brothers' fear and misunderstanding?

3. What does Genesis 42:31 reveal about the brothers' perception of their situation?

4. How can Genesis 42:31 teach us about honesty in difficult circumstances?

5. Connect Genesis 42:31 with Proverbs 12:22 on the importance of truthfulness.

6. How can we apply the lesson from Genesis 42:31 in our daily lives?

7. Why did Joseph's brothers feel the need to defend themselves in Genesis 42:31?

8. How does Genesis 42:31 reflect the theme of guilt and innocence?

9. What historical context explains the brothers' fear in Genesis 42:31?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42?

11. What are the Forty-Two Precepts of Maat?

12. What is the Bible's stance on cremation?

13. Does Job's assertion of moral completeness in Job 31:5-8 conflict with the broader biblical theme of universal human fallibility?

14. Can Christians experience depression?
What Does Genesis 42:31 Mean
But we told him

• Joseph’s brothers are recounting their encounter with Egypt’s governor—unbeknown to them, their own brother (Genesis 42:7–9). When the ruler charged them with espionage, they “told him” (Genesis 42:30) their side of the story.

• The phrase shows a straightforward response: they spoke up immediately, not hiding facts as they once had when they deceived their father about Joseph’s fate (Genesis 37:31–33).

• Scripture consistently affirms the need to state the truth plainly (Leviticus 19:11; Ephesians 4:25). Their willingness to speak up begins God’s process of exposing past sin and bringing them to repentance (Genesis 42:21).


We are honest men

• They claim integrity: “We are twelve brothers, the sons of one man” (Genesis 42:13). The assertion is technically correct—they are indeed brothers from Canaan, come only to buy grain.

• Yet the claim carries irony. Their earlier conspiracy against Joseph and the ongoing concealment from their father challenge the depth of their honesty. God is pressing them to move from partial truth toward wholehearted transparency (Psalm 51:6).

• The statement anticipates the transformation still to come: by the time Judah stands before Joseph in Genesis 44:33, the brothers’ honesty will be proven through sacrificial concern. Proverbs 10:9 reminds that “he who walks in integrity walks securely,” the very path God is steering them toward.


Not spies

• Egypt was wary of foreign intrusion, so Joseph’s accusation (Genesis 42:9) rings plausible in the political climate. Denying espionage becomes the brothers’ repeated refrain (Genesis 42:11, 14, 31).

• Their denial underscores innocence of that specific charge, yet God uses the situation to awaken guilt over another offense. 1 Peter 3:16 notes that believers may be slandered yet must maintain a clear conscience—precisely what God cultivates here.

• The contrast with true spies (Joshua 2:1) heightens God’s providence: those who once spied on their own brother’s vulnerability now face suspicion themselves, learning empathy and humility.


summary

Genesis 42:31 captures a pivotal moment: the brothers speak honestly about their mission, yet God exposes the deeper dishonesty that has marked their past. By declaring, “We are honest men, not spies,” they unknowingly step onto the path of repentance and reconciliation. The verse teaches that truthful words are essential, but God also seeks integrity of heart—using circumstances, even accusations, to draw His people into full-hearted honesty and restored relationships.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But we told
וַנֹּ֥אמֶר (wan·nō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

him,
אֵלָ֖יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘We
אֲנָ֑חְנוּ (’ă·nā·ḥə·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

are
הָיִ֖ינוּ (hā·yî·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

honest men,
כֵּנִ֣ים (kê·nîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

spies.
מְרַגְּלִֽים׃ (mə·rag·gə·lîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7270: To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about


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OT Law: Genesis 42:31 We said to him 'We are honest (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 42:30
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