Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. New Living Translation “Then the man who is governor of the land told us, ‘This is how I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take grain for your starving families and go on home. English Standard Version Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Berean Standard Bible Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. Berean Literal Bible And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you⁺ are honest: Your⁺ one brother leave with me, and take food for the famine of your⁺ houses and go. King James Bible And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone: New King James Version Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone. New American Standard Bible But the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. NASB 1995 “The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. NASB 1977 “And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. Legacy Standard Bible Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. Amplified Bible And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this [test] I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers here with me and take grain for your starving households and go. Berean Annotated Bible Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you⁺ are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your⁺ households, and go. Christian Standard Bible The man who is the lord of the country said to us, ‘This is how I will know if you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. Holman Christian Standard Bible The man who is the lord of the country said to us, ‘This is how I will know if you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. American Standard Version And the man, the lord of the land, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men: leave one of your brethren with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way; Contemporary English Version Then the governor of Egypt told us, "I'll find out if you really are honest. Leave one of your brothers here with me, while you take the grain to your starving families. English Revised Version And the man, the lord of the land, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren with me, and take corn for the famine of your houses, and go your way: GOD'S WORD® Translation "Then the governor of that land said to us, 'This is how I'll know that you're honest men: Leave one of your brothers with me. Take food for your starving families and go. Good News Translation The man answered, 'This is how I will find out if you are honest men: One of you will stay with me; the rest will take grain for your starving families and leave. International Standard Version But the man who was in charge of the land responded, 'I'm going to test your honesty. Leave one of your brothers with me, take some grain for the famine that's afflicting your households, and leave. NET Bible "Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'This is how I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for your hungry households and go. New Heart English Bible The man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the hunger of your households, and go your way. Webster's Bible Translation And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, By this shall I know that ye are true men: leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and depart: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. World English Bible The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the man, the lord of the land, says to us, By this I know that you [are] right men—leave one of your brothers with me, and take [for] the famine of your houses and go, Berean Literal Bible And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you⁺ are honest: Your⁺ one brother leave with me, and take food for the famine of your⁺ houses and go. Young's Literal Translation And the man, the lord of the land, saith unto us, By this I know that ye are right men -- one of your brethren leave with me, and for the famine of your houses take ye and go, Smith's Literal Translation And the man, the lord of the land, will say to us, In this I shall know that ye are true; leave one of your brethren with me, and take for the famine of your houses and go. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said to us: Hereby shall I know that you are peaceable men: Leave one of your brethren with me, and take ye necessary provision for your houses, and go your ways. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to us: ‘Thus will I prove that you are peaceful. Release one of your brothers to me, and take necessary provisions for your houses, and go away, New American Bible Then the man who is lord of the land said to us: ‘This is how I will know if you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, then take grain for your starving families and go. New Revised Standard Version Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the man, the lord of the land, said to us, By this shall I know that you are pious men; leave one of your brothers here with me, and take wheat for the famished who are in your households, and go your way; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the man, the Lord of the land, said to us, ‘In this I shall know that you are righteous: leave your one brother with me and take the grain for the hungry that are in your house and go: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the man, the lord of the land, said unto us: Hereby shall I know that ye are upright men: leave one of your brethren with me, and take corn for the famine of your houses, and go your way. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the man, the lord of the land, said to us, Herein shall I know that ye are peaceable; leave one brother here with me, and having taken the corn ye have purchased for your family, depart. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joseph's Brothers Return to Canaan…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.’ 33Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. 34But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.’ ”… Cross References Then the man who is lord of the land said to us, Genesis 45:8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Acts 7:10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. Psalm 105:21 He made him master of his household, ruler over all his substance, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Proverbs 10:9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. Psalm 26:2 Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. Leave one brother with me, Proverbs 6:1-3 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, / if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, / then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor. Genesis 44:33 Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. Genesis 43:9 I 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. take food to relieve the hunger of your households, Genesis 47:12 Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families. Genesis 45:11 And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’ Genesis 41:57 And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. and go. Exodus 12:31 Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Deuteronomy 1:7 Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates. 1 Samuel 1:17 “Go in peace,” Eli replied, “and may the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of Him.” Genesis 43:3-5 But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. / But 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.’” Treasury of Scripture And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, Hereby shall I know that you are true men; leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone: Genesis 42:15,19,20 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither… Jump to Previous Corn Country Depart Families Famine Food Grain Hereby Honest Households Houses Kept Leave Needs Ruler True. Upright Way WhetherJump to Next Corn Country Depart Families Famine Food Grain Hereby Honest Households Houses Kept Leave Needs Ruler True. Upright Way WhetherGenesis 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. Then the man who is lord of the land said to us This phrase refers to Joseph, who had risen to a position of great authority in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. His identity as the "lord of the land" highlights the fulfillment of his earlier dreams (Genesis 37:5-11) where his brothers would bow to him. This authority was granted to Joseph by Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40-44) and is a type of Christ, who is given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go. 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 the famine. 3. Egypt - The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to seek food. 4. Famine - A severe shortage of food affecting the region, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt. 5. Jacob - The father of Joseph and his brothers, who remains in Canaan while his sons go to Egypt. Teaching Points Integrity and HonestyJoseph's test is designed to reveal the integrity of his brothers. As believers, we are called to live lives of honesty and integrity, reflecting the character of Christ. Repentance and Change Joseph's brothers are given an opportunity to demonstrate repentance and change. True repentance involves a transformation of heart and actions, aligning with God's will. Providence and Sovereignty Joseph's rise to power and the events that unfold are a testament to God's providence and sovereignty. Trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances seem dire, is a key aspect of faith. Family and Reconciliation The account of Joseph and his brothers highlights the importance of family and the power of reconciliation. Forgiveness and restoration are central themes in the Christian life. Testing and Growth Just as Joseph tests his brothers, God allows tests in our lives to promote spiritual growth and maturity. Embracing these challenges can lead to a deeper relationship with Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 42:33?2. How does Genesis 42:33 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Joseph's brothers' journey? 3. What role does obedience play in the brothers' response to Joseph's command? 4. How does Genesis 42:33 connect to God's covenant promises in Genesis? 5. How can we trust God's plan when facing uncertain circumstances like Joseph's brothers? 6. What lessons on integrity can we learn from Joseph's instructions in Genesis 42:33? 7. How does Genesis 42:33 reflect God's plan for Joseph and his brothers? 8. What does Genesis 42:33 reveal about God's provision during famine? 9. How does Genesis 42:33 demonstrate the theme of testing and trust? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42? 11. What is the significance of the Tribe of Simeon? 12. In Job 4:7, how could Eliphaz assert that no innocent person has ever perished when history shows countless examples of righteous people suffering? 13. Psalm 9:10 promises protection for those who seek God; why do many believers still suffer abandonment or persecution despite faithfulness? 14. How could Joseph's brothers fail to recognize him after only about two decades (Genesis 42:7-8)? What Does Genesis 42:33 Mean ContextJoseph’s brothers are in Egypt during a severe famine (Genesis 42:5-6). Unaware that the powerful governor standing before them is their long-lost brother, they face a series of tests designed to expose their character and awaken their conscience (Genesis 42:21-24). “The man who is lord of the land” • Joseph, second only to Pharaoh, holds absolute authority (Genesis 41:40-44). • His title underscores God’s providence: the boy once sold into slavery now governs the very nation supplying life-saving grain (Genesis 50:20). • For the brothers, this “lord” represents both judgment and mercy, prefiguring Christ’s ultimate lordship (Philippians 2:9-11). “This is how I will know whether you are honest” • Joseph’s charge targets their earlier deceit (Genesis 37:31-33). • Scripture frequently links honesty with covenant faithfulness—see Proverbs 12:22 and Ephesians 4:25. • By demanding proof, Joseph mirrors God’s consistent call for genuine repentance demonstrated through action (James 2:17). “Leave one brother with me” • Simeon is chosen (Genesis 42:24), creating a continual reminder of unfinished business. • The brothers must return, guaranteeing future face-to-face accountability (Genesis 43:3-5). • The sign anticipates substitutionary themes later fulfilled in Judah’s offer to take Benjamin’s place (Genesis 44:32-33) and ultimately in Christ’s sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21). “Take food to relieve the hunger of your households” • Joseph shows mercy even while testing, reflecting God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). • The provision safeguards Jacob’s family, keeping alive the promised line through which Messiah will come (Genesis 45:7; 46:3-4). • Physical sustenance parallels the spiritual life God supplies to those who trust Him (John 6:35). “And go” • Departure sets up the next stage of revelation; obedience will determine whether reconciliation is possible (Genesis 43:13-14). • The command illustrates faith in action: they must leave the security of Egypt’s granaries, trust God, and return with Benjamin (Hebrews 11:1). summary Genesis 42:33 reveals Joseph’s purposeful test: holding Simeon binds the brothers to truth, supplying grain preserves the covenant family, and sending them home forces a decision about future obedience. God works through Joseph’s authority to expose sin, nourish life, and move the family toward repentance and eventual reconciliation—foreshadowing the greater redemption accomplished in Christ. (33) Leave one of your brethren.--While acknowledging that the lord of Egypt had spoken "hard things" with them, they do not mention that Simeon was left in bonds, nor even the harsher part of the treatment which they had met with, lest Jacob should be afraid to send Benjamin on their next visit.Hebrew Then the manהָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who is the lord אֲדֹנֵ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller of the land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to us, אֵלֵ֗ינוּ (’ê·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘This is how בְּזֹ֣את (bə·zōṯ) Preposition-b | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, I will know אֵדַ֔ע (’ê·ḏa‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know whether כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction you אַתֶּ֑ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are honest: כֵנִ֖ים (ḵê·nîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3651: So -- thus Leave הַנִּ֣יחוּ (han·nî·ḥū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3240: Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, one הָֽאֶחָד֙ (hā·’e·ḥāḏ) Article | Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first brother אֲחִיכֶ֤ם (’ă·ḥî·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) with me, אִתִּ֔י (’it·tî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among take קְח֥וּ (qə·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 3947: To take food to relieve the hunger רַעֲב֥וֹן (ra·‘ă·ḇō·wn) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7459: Hunger, lack of food, famine of your households, בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם (bāt·tê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1004: A house and go. וָלֵֽכוּ׃ (wā·lê·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk Links Genesis 42:33 NIVGenesis 42:33 NLT Genesis 42:33 ESV Genesis 42:33 NASB Genesis 42:33 KJV Genesis 42:33 BibleApps.com Genesis 42:33 Biblia Paralela Genesis 42:33 Chinese Bible Genesis 42:33 French Bible Genesis 42:33 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 42:33 The man the lord of the land (Gen. 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