Genesis 43:20
Genesis 43:20 in Multiple Translations
“Please, sir,” they said, “we really did come down here the first time to buy food.
And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
and said, Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
And said, O my lord, we only came down the first time to get food;
“Please excuse us, my lord,” they said. “We came down the first time to buy food,
And said, Oh syr, we came in deede down hither at the first time to bye foode,
and say, 'O, my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food;
and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.
And said, O sir, we came down indeed at the first time to buy food:
They said: Sir, we desire thee to hear us: We came down once before to buy food:
one of them said to him, “Please, sir, listen to me. We came down here previously and bought some grain.
They said, “Please, sir, we want to tell you something. Some time ago, we came here to Egypt country, to buy food. We got lots of food, and we paid money for that food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 43:20
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 43:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
בִּ֣י
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
יָרֹ֥ד
יָרַ֛דְנוּ
בַּ/תְּחִלָּ֖ה
לִ/שְׁבָּר
אֹֽכֶל
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בִּ֣י
bîy
H994
please
Part
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
lord
N-ms | Suff
יָרֹ֥ד
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Ptc
יָרַ֛דְנוּ
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
בַּ/תְּחִלָּ֖ה
tᵉchillâh
H8462
beginning
Prep | N-fs
לִ/שְׁבָּר
shâbar
H7666
to buy grain
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 43:20
וַ/יֹּאמְר֖וּ
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
בִּ֣י
bîy
H994
"please"
Part
This phrase means please or oh that, used to introduce a request or entreaty, like saying excuse me or if it please you.
Definition: 1) if it please, pray excuse me, excuse me please 1a) used to introduce an entreaty or request
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: alas, O, oh. See also: Genesis 43:20; Judges 6:13; 1 Kings 3:26.
אֲדֹנִ֑/י
ʼâdôwn
H113
"lord"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.
יָרֹ֥ד
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Ptc
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
יָרַ֛דְנוּ
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
בַּ/תְּחִלָּ֖ה
tᵉchillâh
H8462
"beginning"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means the start of something, like the beginning of a project or a new phase of life, as seen in Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) beginning, first 1a) the first time 1b) from the beginning, in the beginning (with prep)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: begin(-ning), first (time). See also: Genesis 13:3; 2 Kings 17:25; Proverbs 9:10.
לִ/שְׁבָּר
shâbar
H7666
"to buy grain"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To buy or sell grain, as in trading food for survival, is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to buy or purchase grain 1a) (Qal) to buy grain 1b) (Hiphil) to sell grain Aramaic equivalent: ze.van (זְבַן "to buy" H2084)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: buy, sell. See also: Genesis 41:56; Genesis 43:20; Proverbs 11:26.
אֹֽכֶל
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
Study Notes — Genesis 43:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 43:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 43:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 43:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 43:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 43:20
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 43:20
- Sermons on Genesis 43:20
Context — Joseph’s Hospitality to His Brothers
18But the brothers were frightened that they had been taken to Joseph’s house. “We have been brought here because of the silver that was returned in our bags the first time,” they said. “They intend to overpower us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”
19So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 42:3 | So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. |
| 2 | Genesis 42:10 | “Not so, my lord,” they replied. “Your servants have come to buy food. |
| 3 | Genesis 42:27 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | Genesis 43:3 | But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ |
| 6 | Genesis 43:7 | They replied, “The man questioned us in detail about ourselves and our family: ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ And we answered him accordingly. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother here’?” |
Genesis 43:20 Summary
In Genesis 43:20, the brothers are trying to explain themselves to Joseph's steward, saying they came to buy food the first time. They are being honest and humble, which is an important lesson for us today. Just like the brothers, we should strive to be honest and humble in our interactions with others, as seen in (Proverbs 22:4) where it says that humility is associated with the fear of the Lord. By being honest and humble, we can build trust and strong relationships with others, just like the brothers were trying to do in this verse (Matthew 5:5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the brothers feel the need to explain their actions to Joseph's steward?
The brothers were frightened and felt they had to explain themselves to avoid being punished or enslaved, as they mentioned in Genesis 43:18, they were worried about the returned silver in their bags.
What were the brothers trying to convey to Joseph's steward in Genesis 43:20?
The brothers were trying to convey their honesty and innocence, stating they had indeed come to buy food the first time, which is supported by their initial actions in Genesis 42:1-3.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Joseph and his brothers?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of Joseph's journey, where his brothers, who had previously wronged him, are now coming to him for help, unaware of his true identity, as seen in Genesis 37:23-36 and Genesis 42:6-26.
What can we learn from the brothers' humility in this verse?
The brothers' humility in explaining themselves to Joseph's steward teaches us the importance of humility and honesty, as seen in Proverbs 22:4, where it says that humility is associated with the fear of the Lord, and in Matthew 5:5, where the meek are blessed.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to explain myself to someone in a position of authority, and how did I approach the situation?
- How can I apply the brothers' humility in this verse to my own life, especially in situations where I may feel accused or misunderstood?
- What role does honesty play in our relationships with others, and how can we prioritize honesty in our interactions with others, as the brothers did in this verse?
- In what ways can I demonstrate the same kind of humility and honesty as the brothers in my daily life, and what would be the benefits of doing so?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 43:20
And said, O sir,.... Or, "on me, my lord" (a), one said in the name of the rest, perhaps Judah, on me let the blame lie, if guilty of rudeness in making our address to thee; or as the Vulgate Latin
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 43:20
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 43:20
Genesis 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:Ver. 20. O sir, we came indeed, &c.] We must not lie wretchlessly under suspicion of dishonesty; but carefully clear ourselves, as there is opportunity.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 43:20
Verse 20. O sir, we came indeed - to buy food] There is a frankness now in the conduct of Joseph's brethren that did not exist before; they simply and honestly relate the whole circumstance of the money being found in their sacks on their return from their last journey. Afflictions from the hand of God, and under his direction, have a wonderful tendency to humble the soul. Did men know how gracious his designs are in sending such, no murmur would ever be heard against the dispensations of Divine Providence.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 43:20
20. Oh my lord] Cf. Genesis 44:18. The expression introduces an appeal. The word for “my lord” (adoni) is rendered by LXX êýñéå, and by the Lat. domine. See Numbers 12:11; Judges 6:13; 1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 3:17; 1 Kings 3:26.
Sermons on Genesis 43:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Letter 115 by James Bourne | James Bourne, in a letter to M. C. B., discusses the narrow path to life and the rarity of finding it, especially in higher social circles. He acknowledges the presence of hypocris |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 42:29-38 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and his sons in the land of Canaan. The brothers return to their father and tell him about their encounter with the man w |