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Chapter 42
Verse 42

Genesis 42:12

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

“No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Bible in Basic English

And he said to them, No, but you have come to see how poor the land is.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he answered them: It is otherwise: you are come to consider the unfenced parts of this land.

Free Bible Version

“No! You've come to find our country's weaknesses!” he insisted.

Geneva Bible 1599

But he saide vnto them, Nay, but yee are come to see the weakenes of the land.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

One Unity Resource Bible

He said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

Translation for Translators

He said to them, “I do not believe you. You have come just to see whether we would be able to defend ourselves if we were attacked!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to them, “No, you have come to see the undefended parts of the land.”

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to them, No, but to see the nakedness of the land have ye come.

World English Bible

He said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

Young's Literal Translation

and he saith unto them, 'No, but the nakedness of the land ye have come to see;'

Context

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

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.”

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Summary

This verse captures the tension and guilt felt by Joseph's brothers as they stand before him in Egypt, unaware that he is their long-lost brother. Joseph, who recognizes them but they do not recognize him, accuses them of being spies to test their honesty and intentions. The brothers' past sin of selling Joseph into slavery resurfaces as they face the consequences of their actions, illustrating the principle of reaping what is sown. This encounter sets the stage for a powerful story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and God's providential plan unfolding in the lives of Joseph and his family.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Joseph said unto them, that is it that I spake unto you, saying, ye are spies. This proves it, at least gives strong suspicion of it; since at first they seemed to speak of themselves, as if they were the only sons of one man and there were no more, now they speak of twelve, and make mention of one being at home with his father; but seeing he sent so many of them, why not all? why should one only be left at home? And Joseph said unto them, that is it that I spake unto you, saying, ye are spies. This proves it, at least gives strong suspicion of it; since at first they seemed to speak of themselves, as if they were the only sons of one man and there were no more, now they speak of twelve, and make mention of one being at home with his father; but seeing he sent so many of them, why not all? why should one only be left at home? Genesis 42:15 gen 42:15 gen 42:15 gen 42:15Hereby ye shall be proved,.... Whether spies, or not, namely, by producing their youngest brother, said to be at home with his father: by the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither: the phrase, "by the life of Pharaoh", seems to be the form of an oath, as it was common with many nations, especially with the Scythians, who used to swear by the royal throne (a), and the Romans, in later times, by the life, health, and genius of their emperor; and this custom of swearing by the life of their king, or by his head, continued with the Egyptians, as Aben Ezra says, unto his times; though some take this to be a wish or prayer for the life of Pharaoh, and render it, "may Pharaoh live" (b), or, at most, but a strong asseveration, that as dear as the life of Pharaoh was to him, so surely they should not stir from the place where they were, unless their youngest brother Benjamin was brought thither. (a) Herodot. Melpomene, sive, l. 4. c. 68. (b) "vivat Parhoh", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius; so Ainsworth and Lightfoot.

Genesis 42:12

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

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.”

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

“No,” he told them. “You have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Bible in Basic English

And he said to them, No, but you have come to see how poor the land is.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And he answered them: It is otherwise: you are come to consider the unfenced parts of this land.

Free Bible Version

“No! You've come to find our country's weaknesses!” he insisted.

Geneva Bible 1599

But he saide vnto them, Nay, but yee are come to see the weakenes of the land.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

One Unity Resource Bible

He said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

Translation for Translators

He said to them, “I do not believe you. You have come just to see whether we would be able to defend ourselves if we were attacked!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

He said to them, “No, you have come to see the undefended parts of the land.”

Noah Webster Bible

And he said to them, No, but to see the nakedness of the land have ye come.

World English Bible

He said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

Young's Literal Translation

and he saith unto them, 'No, but the nakedness of the land ye have come to see;'