Genesis 43:21
New International Version
But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.

New Living Translation
But 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.

English Standard Version
And when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us,

Berean Standard Bible
But when we came to the place we lodged for the night, we opened our sacks and, behold, each of us found his silver in the mouth of his sack! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, 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 again in our hand.

New King James Version
but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.

New American Standard Bible
and it happened when we came to the campsite, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the opening of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand.

NASB 1995
and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand.

NASB 1977
and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand.

Legacy Standard Bible
and it happened when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand.

Amplified Bible
and when we arrived at the inn [after leaving here], we opened our sacks and there was each man’s money [with which he had paid for grain], in full, returned in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back [this time].

Christian Standard Bible
When we came to the place where we lodged for the night and opened our bags of grain, each one’s silver was at the top of his bag! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When we came to the place where we lodged for the night and opened our bags of grain, each one’s money was at the top of his bag! It was the full amount of our money, and we have brought it back with us.

American Standard Version
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 again in our hand.

Contemporary English Version
But when we stopped for the night, we each found in our grain sacks the exact amount we had paid. We have brought that money back,

English Revised Version
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 again in our hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When we stopped for the night, we opened our sacks, and each man found all of his money inside. So we brought it back with us.

Good News Translation
When we set up camp on the way home, we opened our sacks, and each man found his money in the top of his sack--every bit of it. We have brought it back to you.

International Standard Version
when we arrived at our overnight lodging place, we opened our sacks and discovered each man's money was still in the mouth of his sack. All of our money was there! We've brought it back with us in full.

Majority Standard Bible
But when we came to the place we lodged for the night, we opened our sacks and, behold, each of us found his silver in the mouth of his sack! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us.

NET Bible
But when we came to the place where we spent the night, we opened our sacks and each of us found his money--the full amount--in the mouth of his sack. So we have returned it.

New Heart English Bible
But when we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and look, every man?s silver was in the mouth of his sack, our silver in full weight. So we have brought it back in our hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, 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 again in our hand.

World English Bible
When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it comes to pass, when we have come to the lodging-place, and open our bags, that behold, each one’s money [is] in the mouth of his bag, our money in its weight, and we bring it back in our hand;

Young's Literal Translation
and it cometh to pass, when we have come in unto the lodging-place, and open our bags, that lo, each one's money is in the mouth of his bag, our money in its weight, and we bring it back in our hand;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as we came to the lodging place, and we opened our sacks, and behold, the silver of each in the mouth of his sack, our silver in weight: and we turned it back in our hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when we had bought, and come to the inn, we opened our sacks, and found our money in the mouths of the sacks: which we have now brought again in the same weight.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And having bought it, when we arrived at the inn, we opened our sacks and found the money in the mouths of the sacks, which we now have carried back in the same amount.

New American Bible
But when we arrived at a night’s encampment and opened our bags, there was each man’s money in the mouth of his bag—our money in the full amount! We have now brought it back.

New Revised Standard Version
and when we came to the lodging place we opened our sacks, and there was each one’s money in the top of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it back with us.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass when we came to the inn 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 again with us.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when we went on to the lodging house, we opened our sacks, and behold, the money of each man was in the mouth of his sack; we are returning our money by its weight in our hands.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when we came to unlade, and opened our sacks, there was also this money of each in his sack; we have now brought back our money by weight in our hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers
20“Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food. 21But when we came to the place we lodged for the night, we opened our sacks and, behold, each of us found his silver in the mouth of his sack! It was the full amount of our silver, and we have brought it back with us. 22We have brought additional silver with us to buy food. We do not know who put our silver in our sacks.”…

Cross References
Genesis 42:27-28
At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack. / “My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack.” Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Genesis 44:8
We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found in the mouths of our sacks. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?

Genesis 42:35
As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of silver! And when they and their father saw the bags of silver, they were dismayed.

Genesis 44:1-2
Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack. / Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed.

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...

Luke 19:12-27
So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. / Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. / But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ ...

Exodus 22:7-13
If a man gives his neighbor money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen from the neighbor’s house, the thief, if caught, must pay back double. / If the thief is not found, the owner of the house must appear before the judges to determine whether he has taken his neighbor’s property. / In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor. ...

2 Kings 12:15
No accounting was required from the men who received the money to pay the workmen, because they acted with integrity.

2 Kings 22:7
But they need not account for the money put into their hands, since they work with integrity.”

Romans 12:17
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

2 Corinthians 8:21
For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.

2 Corinthians 4:2
Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

Proverbs 20:23
Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.

Leviticus 19:35-36
You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. / You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, 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 again in our hand.

we came.

Genesis 42:27-35
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth…

we have.

Genesis 43:12
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:

Romans 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

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Full Hand Inn Lodging Money Mouth Opened Sack Sacks Weight
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Full Hand Inn Lodging Money Mouth Opened Sack Sacks Weight
Genesis 43
1. Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin.
15. Joseph entertains his brothers.
19. They discover their fears to the steward.
26. Joseph makes them a feast.














But when we came to the place where we lodged for the night
This phrase sets the scene for a moment of realization and reflection. The journey of Joseph's brothers back to Egypt is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one. The Hebrew word for "lodged" (לוּן, lun) can also mean to "abide" or "remain," suggesting a pause in their journey that allows for introspection. This moment of rest becomes a pivotal point where they confront their past actions and the mysterious return of their money.

we opened our sacks
Opening the sacks symbolizes revelation and discovery. In the Hebrew context, the act of opening (פָּתַח, pathach) often signifies uncovering hidden truths. This moment is a metaphor for the brothers' gradual unveiling of their own guilt and the unfolding of God's providential plan. It is a reminder that God often reveals His purposes in unexpected ways and times.

and behold, each man’s money was at the mouth of his sack
The word "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an invitation to pay attention to something significant. The placement of the money at the "mouth" of the sack is symbolic. The "mouth" (פֶּה, peh) is often associated with speech and communication in Hebrew thought. This suggests that God is speaking to the brothers through this event, prompting them to consider their actions and the divine orchestration at play.

our money in full weight
The phrase "in full weight" (בְּמִשְׁקָלֹו, b'mishkalo) emphasizes the completeness and integrity of the returned money. In ancient times, accurate weights were crucial for fair trade, and this phrase underscores the honesty and justice of God's dealings. It serves as a reminder that God’s provision is complete and lacks nothing, reflecting His faithfulness and righteousness.

So we have brought it back with us
This action of bringing the money back demonstrates repentance and a desire to make amends. The brothers' decision to return the money is a step towards reconciliation and integrity. It reflects a change of heart and a willingness to do what is right, even at personal cost. This act of restitution is a powerful testament to the transformative power of God’s grace working in their lives.

(21) The inn.--The lodging-place. (See Note on Genesis 42:27.)

Our sacks.--Heb., our travelling or forage bags. It is the word used at the end of Genesis 42:27. So immediately afterwards the silver was found "in the mouth of the travelling-bag." And so again in Genesis 43:22-23. This is accurate, as the silver was placed in the private bag of each one, and not in the corn sacks; but as we have seen in Genesis 42:27; Genesis 42:35, only one of them found his money at the lodging-place. This, however, was a matter of no importance, while it was necessary to show that they were a full day's journey on the route homewards before the mistake was discovered. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But
וַֽיְהִ֞י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we came
בָ֣אנוּ (ḇā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the place we stopped for the night,
הַמָּל֗וֹן (ham·mā·lō·wn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4411: A lodgment, caravanserai, encampment

we opened
וַֽנִּפְתְּחָה֙ (wan·nip̄·tə·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

our sacks
אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ (’am·tə·ḥō·ṯê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 572: Something expansive, a bag

and, behold,
וְהִנֵּ֤ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

each of us [found]
אִישׁ֙ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

his silver
כֶֽסֶף־ (ḵe·sep̄-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

in the mouth
בְּפִ֣י (bə·p̄î)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of his sack!
אַמְתַּחְתּ֔וֹ (’am·taḥ·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 572: Something expansive, a bag

It was the full amount
בְּמִשְׁקָל֑וֹ (bə·miš·qā·lōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4948: Weight, weighing

of our money,
כַּסְפֵּ֖נוּ (kas·pê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and we have brought it back
וַנָּ֥שֶׁב (wan·nā·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

with us.
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ (bə·yā·ḏê·nū)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Law: Genesis 43:21 When we came to the lodging place (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 43:20
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