Genesis 42:17
Genesis 42:17 in Multiple Translations
So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,
And he put them all together into ward three days.
And he put them all together into ward three days.
So he put them in prison for three days.
So Joseph put all of them in prison for three days.
So he put them in warde three dayes.
and he removeth them unto charge three days.
He put them all together into custody for three days.
And he put them all together into custody three days.
So he put them in prison three days.
Then Joseph put them all in prison for three days.
Then Joseph put his brothers in jail, and they stayed there for 3 days.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 42:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 42:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֶּאֱסֹ֥ף
אֹתָ֛/ם
אֶל
מִשְׁמָ֖ר
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
יָמִֽים
וַ/יֶּאֱסֹ֥ף
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
מִשְׁמָ֖ר
mishmâr
H4929
custody
N-ms
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
יָמִֽים
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 42:17
וַ/יֶּאֱסֹ֥ף
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
אֹתָ֛/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
מִשְׁמָ֖ר
mishmâr
H4929
"custody"
N-ms
Mishmar refers to a place of confinement or a guard. It can be a prison, guard post, or a watch, and is about keeping something or someone safe.
Definition: 1) place of confinement, prison, guard, jail, guard post, watch, observance 1a) jail, prison, guard-house 1b) guard, guard post, act of guarding 1c) observances
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: diligence, guard, office, prison, ward, watch. See also: Genesis 40:3; Nehemiah 4:16; Proverbs 4:23.
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
יָמִֽים
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
Study Notes — Genesis 42:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 42:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:17
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 42:17
- Sermons on Genesis 42:17
Context — Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt
15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
16Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
17So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,
18and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live: 19If 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 40:4 | The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he became their personal attendant. After they had been in custody for some time, |
| 2 | Hebrews 12:10 | Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. |
| 3 | Genesis 40:7 | So he asked the officials of Pharaoh who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so downcast today?” |
| 4 | Psalms 119:65 | You are good to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. |
| 5 | Acts 5:18 | and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. |
| 6 | Isaiah 24:22 | They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days. |
| 7 | Leviticus 24:12 | They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. |
| 8 | Genesis 41:10 | Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guard. |
| 9 | Acts 4:3 | They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day. |
Genesis 42:17 Summary
[Joseph put his brothers in prison for three days to see if they would tell the truth. This was a test to see if they were honest, as stated in Genesis 42:16. Joseph wanted to know if they were trustworthy, and this test would help him determine their character. By imprisoning them, Joseph was able to observe their behavior and reactions, and this ultimately helped him to make a decision about how to proceed, as seen in Genesis 42:18-19.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joseph imprison his brothers for three days?
Joseph imprisoned his brothers for three days to test their integrity and to see if they would tell the truth about their family, as stated in Genesis 42:15-16, and to fulfill his plan to bring his younger brother to Egypt, as seen in Genesis 42:15.
Was Joseph being cruel by imprisoning his brothers?
Joseph was not being cruel, but rather he was using a test to verify the truth of their words, as stated in Genesis 42:16, and to ultimately bring about a greater good, as seen in the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.
What can we learn from Joseph's actions in this verse?
We can learn that God uses various means to test our faith and character, as seen in Genesis 42:15-17, and that He is sovereign over all circumstances, as stated in Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Joseph?
This verse is a pivotal part of the story of Joseph, as it sets the stage for the brothers' return with their younger brother, Benjamin, and ultimately leads to the fulfillment of Joseph's dreams, as seen in Genesis 37:5-11 and Genesis 42:15.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God tests our faith and character in our lives, and how can we respond to these tests in a way that honors Him?
- How can we, like Joseph, use difficult circumstances to bring about a greater good, and what role does trust in God's sovereignty play in this process?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of testing and verification, as seen in Genesis 42:16, to our own lives and relationships?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of patience and waiting on God, as seen in Joseph's actions and the brothers' experience?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 42:17
And he put them all together into ward three days. In order to consult together, and agree who should be sent to fetch their brother; and which it seems probable in this length of time they could not
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 42:17
And he put them all together into ward three days. Put them all together into ward three days. Their confinement had been designed to bring them to salutary reflection.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 42:17
Genesis 42:17 And he put them all together into ward three days.Ver. 17. And he put them all together into ward three days.] Not into close prison, but into some chamber, or private room, where they might have opportunity of reflecting upon themselves, and repenting. I have heard of a grave divine, lately living, that did much good upon many that came to him to crave alms, by shutting them up in a room by themselves, having first taken great pains with them by way of direction what to do to be saved, joining in prayer, setting them in a course of better living, and then providing for them fit services. In conclave aliquod, ubi custodiebantur. - Pisc. Dr Chetwind, Dean of Brist.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 42:17
17. put them … into ward] i.e. “in charge, or safe keeping”; as in Genesis 40:3. Not “in prison,” as in Genesis 39:20. Joseph’s treatment sounds to us harsh and cruel. Arbitrary confinement, however, was, and is, only too common in the East. The brethren would be a prey to the sickening dread either of being brought out only to be executed, or of being prevented from returning to their homes. Joseph himself had endured a long experience of captive life in Egypt.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 42:17
17. Put them all together — Hebrews, Gathered, or, assembled them to prison. He huddled them together in one cell. This might remind them of their casting Joseph into the pit. Genesis 37:24.
Sermons on Genesis 42:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Trials and Afflictions by Bakht Singh | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in faithfulness during trials and afflictions. He refers to 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-14, which encourages bel |
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The Tenth Commandment by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal journey of seeking reality in his faith and how God has led him in India. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and transparency i |
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(Pdf Book) Fullness of God by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh emphasizes that God's ultimate purpose in saving humanity is to fill us with His fullness, as stated in Ephesians 3:19. He explains that despite our sinful nature, thro |
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Hebrews 12:3-11 by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of discipline in our lives. He explains that when God instructs us to do something, we should obey and not continue to indulge |
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The Lord's Prayer by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson expounds on 'The Lord's Prayer,' particularly the petition 'Deliver us from evil,' emphasizing the need for divine protection from the evils of the world, our own hea |
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My Father's Choice by Miles J. Stanford | Miles J. Stanford preaches about the purpose of God's processing and trials in our lives, emphasizing that even when we do not understand His ways, we should trust that He knows wh |
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The Tried Believer Comforted by Octavius Winslow | Octavius Winslow emphasizes the profound sympathy of Christ for believers, illustrating that their afflictions are part of God's sovereign plan to refine and discipline them. He ex |