Genesis 42:11
Genesis 42:11 in Multiple Translations
We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
We are all one man's sons, we are true men; we have not come with any secret purpose.
We're all the sons of one man and we're honest. We're not spies!”
Wee are all one mans sonnes: wee meane truely, and thy seruants are no spies.
we [are] all of us sons of one man, we [are] right men; thy servants have not been spies;'
We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men. Your servants are not spies.”
We are all one man's sons; we are true men; thy servants are no spies.
We are all the sons of one man: we are come as peaceable men, neither do thy servants go about any evil.
We are all sons of one man. We are honest men, not spies.”
You know, we are all brothers, with the same father. We are good men, and we don’t tell lies. We are not your enemies.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 42:11
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 42:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֻּלָּ֕/נוּ
בְּנֵ֥י
אִישׁ
אֶחָ֖ד
נָ֑חְנוּ
כֵּנִ֣ים
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ
לֹא
הָי֥וּ
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
מְרַגְּלִֽים
כֻּלָּ֕/נוּ
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms | Suff
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
נָ֑חְנוּ
nachnûw
H5168
we
Pron
כֵּנִ֣ים
kên
H3651
right
Adj
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
we
Pron
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
מְרַגְּלִֽים
râgal
H7270
to spy
V-Piel
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 42:11
כֻּלָּ֕/נוּ
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּנֵ֥י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
אִישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶחָ֖ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
נָ֑חְנוּ
nachnûw
H5168
"we"
Pron
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'we', referring to a group of people including the speaker. It appears in various forms, such as 'we' or 'us', and is used by the prophets and writers to express unity or collective action. It is often translated as 'we' in English Bibles.
Definition: we Another spelling of a.nach.nu (אֲנַ֫חְנוּ "we" H0587) § 1) we
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: we. See also: Genesis 42:11; Exodus 16:8; Lamentations 3:42.
כֵּנִ֣ים
kên
H3651
"right"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ
ʼănachnûw
H587
"we"
Pron
A Hebrew word for we or us, used for emphasis, like when Moses said we will follow God's commands, emphasizing the community's commitment.
Definition: we (first pers. pl. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: ourselves, us, we. See also: Genesis 13:8; 1 Chronicles 11:1; Psalms 20:8.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
הָי֥וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
עֲבָדֶ֖י/ךָ
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
מְרַגְּלִֽים
râgal
H7270
"to spy"
V-Piel
This verb means to spy or explore a place, like Moses sending scouts to Canaan in Numbers 13:2. It can also mean to slander or gossip about someone, as warned against in Proverbs 11:13.
Definition: 1) to go on foot, spy out, foot it, go about, walk along, move the feet 1a) (Qal) to be a tale-bearer, slander, go about 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to slander 1b2) to go about as explorer, spy 1c) (Tiphel) to teach to walk Also means: tir.gal (תִּרְגַּל "to teach" H8637)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: backbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view. See also: Genesis 42:9; Joshua 6:25; Psalms 15:3.
Study Notes — Genesis 42:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 42:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:11
- Sermons on Genesis 42:11
Context — Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt
9Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said, “You are spies! You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”
10“Not so, my lord,” they replied. “Your servants have come to buy food.
11We are all sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
12“No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.” 13But they answered, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 42:19 | If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 6:4 | Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; |
| 3 | John 7:18 | He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood. |
| 4 | Genesis 42:33–34 | 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. But 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.’” |
Genesis 42:11 Summary
[In this verse, Joseph's brothers are trying to convince Joseph that they are not spies, but honest men who have come to buy food. They are emphasizing their family bond and unity by saying they are 'sons of one man', which refers to their father Jacob. This shows that family is important, just like it says in Genesis 2:24, where it talks about the importance of family unity. By claiming to be honest men, Joseph's brothers are trying to build trust with Joseph, which is something we can all learn from, as it says in Proverbs 10:9 that 'the man of integrity walks securely'.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joseph's brothers claim to be honest men and not spies?
Joseph's brothers claimed to be honest men and not spies because they were trying to convince Joseph of their true intentions, which was to buy food, as stated in Genesis 42:10. They wanted to assure Joseph that they meant no harm and were not in Egypt to gather information about the land.
What does it mean to be 'sons of one man'?
When Joseph's brothers said they were 'sons of one man', they were referring to their father, Jacob, and emphasizing their family bond and unity, similar to how the Bible describes the importance of family in Genesis 2:24 and Ephesians 3:15.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Joseph?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Joseph, as it shows how his brothers are trying to navigate their encounter with him, unaware that he is the brother they sold into slavery, as told in Genesis 37:23-28. It sets the stage for the rest of the story, where Joseph will test his brothers and eventually reveal his true identity.
What can we learn from Joseph's brothers' response to accusation?
We can learn from Joseph's brothers' response that honesty and integrity are essential in our interactions with others, as emphasized in Proverbs 10:9 and Proverbs 12:22. Their denial of being spies and affirmation of being honest men demonstrates the importance of maintaining a good conscience and being truthful, even in difficult situations.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can demonstrate honesty and integrity in my own life, just like Joseph's brothers claimed to have?
- How can I use my words to build trust and credibility with others, as Joseph's brothers attempted to do with Joseph?
- What are some times when I have been falsely accused or misunderstood, and how can I respond in a way that honors God, like Joseph's brothers?
- What can I learn from Joseph's brothers' emphasis on their family bond and unity, and how can I apply that to my own relationships?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:11
We [are] all one man's sons,.... Therefore not likely to be spies; it could hardly be thought that a single family should engage in such an affair; or that one man would, send his sons as spies, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:11
And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. Ye are spies , [ mªragªliym (H7270)] - ye are footing it; ye are traversing the country.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
We are all one man’ s sons, and therefore not spies; for it is not likely either that a father would venture so many sons upon so hazardous an employment, or that such a work would have been trusted in the hands of one family only. We are true men, who honestly and truly mean what we pretend, and have no other design in our coming hither.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
Genesis 42:11 We [are] all one man’ s sons; we [are] true [men], thy servants are no spies. Ver. 11. We are all one man’ s sons.] Therefore no spies; for what one man would hazard all his sons at once upon so dangerous a design? We are true men.] Heb., Recti. The Popish doctors reject those ancient authors that are alleged against them, with Non sunt Recti in Curia. Bellarmine saith, To Irenaeus, Tertullian, Eusebius, and Luther, I answer, Omnes manifesti haeretici sunt; when anything in the decrees likes not the Pope, he sets Palea upon it, &c. De Christo, lib. i. cap. 4.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
(11) We are all one man’s sons.—Joseph’s brethren had probably expected this accusation, and their answer, as Abravanel points out, is a sound one: for no man would send his whole family on so dangerous an errand. And thus they press their family relations as a proof of their being true, that is, honest, just men, with no evil designs; and Joseph, who was glad in this way to obtain intelligence of his father and Benjamin, finally, after persisting in the accusation until he had learned all he wished to know, accepts their argument as valid.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 42:11
Verse 11. We are all one man's sons] We do not belong to different tribes, and it is not likely that one family would make a hostile attempt upon a whole kingdom. This seems to be the very ground that Joseph took, viz., that they were persons belonging to different tribes. Against this particularly they set up their defence, asserting that they all belonged to one family; and it is on the proof of this that Joseph puts them, Genesis 42:15, in obliging them to leave one as a hostage, and insisting on their bringing their remaining brother; so that he took exactly the same precautions to detect them as if he had had no acquaintance with them, and had every reason to be suspicious.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:11
11. true men] Lit. “straight,” i.e. genuine and above suspicion.
Sermons on Genesis 42:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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There Is a Warfare by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the various aspects of the Christian journey. He compares it to a fight, a race, and a stewardship, highligh |
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Biblical Seperation by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a powerful experience of being moved by the presence of God during a community service. They express their deep emotions and desire to live |
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Paul the Apostle - a Vibrant Life (Part 2) by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the spiritual nature of the Apostle Paul's ministry. He emphasizes that studying Paul's life is essentially studying the life of Jesus, as Pa |
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7 Things to Do Always by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for believers to have a genuine and costly service for God. He points out that many people have a mindset of wanting to get as much |
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Ambassadors for Christ - Part 2 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on several key points from the book of 2 Corinthians. Firstly, he highlights how Paul commended himself as a servant of God in all situations, w |
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(Through the Bible) 2 Corinthians 6 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the characteristics and challenges of the ministry of preaching the word of God. He emphasizes the importance of ministers enduring mental and |
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The Leader and the Cost by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenges and hardships faced by Christian leaders, using the examples of Moses and Paul. He emphasizes that occasional exhaustion and fe |