Genesis Chapter 43

The Return to Egypt with Benjamin

1And the famine was sore in the land. 2And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. 3And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. 4If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: 5But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. 6And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? 7And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? 8And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. 9I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: 10For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

11And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: 12And 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: 13Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: 14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. 15And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Joseph's Hospitality to his Brothers

16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. 17And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 18And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. 19And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: 21And 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. 22And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks. 23And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. 24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender. 25And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 27And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive? 28And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance. 29And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son. 30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 31And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. 32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. 33And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another. 34And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

The Return to Egypt with Benjamin

1 The famine was severe in the land. 2 It happened, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.” 3 Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food, 5 but if you’ll not send him, we’ll not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?” 7 They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down?’” 8 Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones. 9 I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever, 10 for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.”

11 Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; 12 and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. 14 May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” 15 The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Joseph’s Hospitality to His Brothers

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.” 19 They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. 21 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. 22 We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them. 24 The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. 25 They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.

26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to him to the earth. 27 He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. 29 He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. 31 He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.” 32 They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians, that ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled one with another. 34 He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.

The Return to Egypt with Benjamin

1 Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”

3 But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ ”

6 “Why did you bring this trouble upon me?” Israel asked. “Why did you tell the man you had another brother?”

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’?”

8 And Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the boy with me, and we will go at once, so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children. 9 I will guarantee his safety. You may hold me personally responsible. If I do not bring him back and set him before you, then may I bear the guilt before you all my life. 10 If we had not delayed, we could have come and gone twice by now.”

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. 12 Take double the silver with you so that you may return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother as well, and return to the man at once. 14 May God Almighty a grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

15 So the men took these gifts, along with double the amount of silver, and Benjamin as well. Then they hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Joseph’s Hospitality to His Brothers

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.” 17 The man did as Joseph had commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.

18 But 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.”

19 So 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. 21 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. 22 We have brought additional silver with us to buy food. We do not know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It is fine,” said the steward. “Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure that was in your sacks. I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And the steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet, and provided food for their donkeys.

25 Since the brothers had been told that they were going to eat a meal there, they prepared their gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon. 26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought, and they bowed to the ground before him.

27 He asked if they were well, and then he asked, “How is your elderly father you told me about? Is he still alive?”

28 “Your servant our father is well,” they answered. “He is still alive.” And they bowed down to honor him.

29 When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” Then he declared, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”

30 Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep. 31 Then he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, “Serve the meal.”

32 They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them. 33 They were seated before Joseph in order by age, from the firstborn to the youngest, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. 34 When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.

Footnotes:

14 a Hebrew El-Shaddai

The Return to Egypt with Benjamin

1And the famine is severe in the land; 2and it cometh to pass, when they have finished eating the corn which they brought from Egypt, that their father saith unto them, 'Turn back, buy for us a little food.' 3And Judah speaketh unto him, saying, 'The man protesting protested to us, saying, Ye do not see my face without your brother being with you; 4if thou art sending our brother with us, we go down, and buy for thee food, 5and if thou art not sending -- we do not go down, for the man said unto us, Ye do not see my face without your brother being with you.' 6And Israel saith, 'Why did ye evil to me, by declaring to the man that ye had yet a brother?' 7and they say, 'The man asked diligently concerning us, and concerning our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye a brother? and we declare to him according to the tenor of these things; do we certainly know that he will say, Bring down your brother?' 8And Judah saith unto Israel his father, 'Send the youth with me, and we arise, and go, and live, and do not die, both we, and thou, and our infants. 9I -- I am surety for him, from my hand thou dost require him; if I have not brought him in unto thee, and set him before thee -- then I have sinned against thee all the days; 10for if we had not lingered, surely now we had returned these two times.'

11And Israel their father saith unto them, 'If so, now, this do: take of the praised thing of the land in your vessels, and take down to the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds; 12and double money take in your hand, even the money which is brought back in the mouth of your bags, ye take back in your hand, it may be it is an oversight. 13'And take your brother, and rise, turn back unto the man; 14and God Almighty give to you mercies before the man, so that he hath sent to you your other brother and Benjamin; and I, when I am bereaved -- I am bereaved.' 15And the men take this present, double money also they have taken in their hand, and Benjamin; and they rise, and go down to Egypt, and stand before Joseph;

Joseph's Hospitality to his Brothers

16and Joseph seeth Benjamin with them, and saith to him who is over his house, 'Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal, and make ready, for with me do the men eat at noon.' 17And the man doth as Joseph hath said, and the man bringeth in the men into the house of Joseph, 18and the men are afraid because they have been brought into the house of Joseph, and they say, 'For the matter of the money which was put back in our bags at the commencement are we brought in -- to roll himself upon us, and to throw himself on us, and to take us for servants -- our asses also.' 19And they come nigh unto the man who is over the house of Joseph, and speak unto him at the opening of the house, 20and say, 'O, my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food; 21and 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; 22and other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food; we have not known who put our money in our bags.' 23And he saith, 'Peace to you, fear not: your God and the God of your father hath given to you hidden treasure in your bags, your money came unto me;' and he bringeth out Simeon unto them. 24And the man bringeth in the men into Joseph's house, and giveth water, and they wash their feet; and he giveth provender for their asses, 25and they prepare the present until the coming of Joseph at noon, for they have heard that there they do eat bread.

26And Joseph cometh into the house, and they bring to him the present which is in their hand, into the house, and bow themselves to him, to the earth; 27and he asketh of them of peace, and saith, 'Is your father well? the aged man of whom ye have spoken, is he yet alive?' 28and they say, 'Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive;' and they bow, and do obeisance. 29And he lifteth up his eyes, and seeth Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and saith, 'Is this your young brother, of whom ye have spoken unto me?' and he saith, 'God favour thee, my son.' 30And Joseph hasteth, for his bowels have been moved for his brother, and he seeketh to weep, and entereth the inner chamber, and weepeth there; 31and he washeth his face, and goeth out, and refraineth himself, and saith, 'Place bread.' 32And they place for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who are eating with him by themselves: for the Egyptians are unable to eat bread with the Hebrews, for it is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33And they sit before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the young one according to his youth, and the men wonder one at another; 34and he lifteth up gifts from before him unto them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, yea, they drink abundantly with him.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Genesis 43?

1.1Introduction to Genesis 43

1.2Context of Genesis 43

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Genesis 43 Unique Insights

1.6Genesis 43 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Genesis 43 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Genesis 43 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Genesis 43?

Introduction to Genesis 43

Genesis 43 continues the compelling narrative of Joseph’s brothers’ second journey to Egypt during the severe famine, focusing on the internal struggle within Jacob’s family and the unfolding drama of divine providence. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in the Joseph narrative, where themes of trust, redemption, and reconciliation begin to emerge more prominently. The story masterfully weaves together family dynamics, divine sovereignty, and the continuing fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham’s descendants.

Context of Genesis 43

This chapter follows directly from the brothers’ first journey to Egypt in Genesis 42, where Joseph had tested them by demanding they bring Benjamin to prove they weren’t spies. The immediate context shows the mounting pressure on Jacob’s family as the famine forces them to return to Egypt, despite Jacob’s reluctance to send Benjamin. This represents a crucial turning point in the larger Joseph narrative (Genesis 37-50).

The broader biblical context reveals this chapter as part of God’s sovereign plan to preserve His chosen people during the famine and fulfill His earlier promises to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-14. The events here set the stage for Israel’s eventual exodus from Egypt, demonstrating how God uses seemingly tragic circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. This chapter also continues important themes found throughout Genesis: divine providence, family reconciliation, and the preservation of the covenant line.

Ancient Key Word Study

“Surety” (עָרַב, arab) – Used in verse 9 when Judah becomes guarantor for Benjamin, this Hebrew word carries legal weight, indicating a solemn pledge where one person assumes responsibility for another. This same concept later reflects Messiah’s role as our guarantor of a better covenant (Hebrews 7:22).
“Mercy” (רַחֲמִים, rachamim) – In verse 14, Jacob prays for God to give his sons mercy, using a word derived from the Hebrew term for “womb,” suggesting a deep, maternal-like compassion. This word choice reveals the intimate nature of divine mercy.
“Peace” (שָׁלוֹם, shalom) – Appearing multiple times in the chapter, this term encompasses more than mere absence of conflict, suggesting complete wholeness and well-being. Joseph’s inquiries about his family’s shalom reveal his deep concern for their total welfare.
“Feast” (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh) – The meal Joseph prepares (v.16) uses this word, which literally means “drinking,” implying a lavish banquet. This same term is used for royal celebrations, highlighting the exceptional nature of this meal.
“Dismayed” (תָּמַהּ, tamah) – The brothers’ reaction in verse 33 uses this word, indicating being struck with wonder or amazement. It suggests they were completely astounded by Joseph’s knowledge of their birth order.
“Portions” (מַשְׂאֵת, maseth) – Benjamin’s five portions (v.34) uses this term, which carries ceremonial significance in ancient Near Eastern culture, indicating special favor and blessing.
“Youngest” (קָטֹן, qaton) – The repeated reference to Benjamin as the “youngest” uses this term, which can also mean “insignificant,” creating an ironic contrast with his five-fold portion and eventual tribal significance.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 3: “We cannot see the man’s face unless our brother is with us” – The Hebrew phrase לֹא־נִרְאֶה פְנֵי הָאִישׁ (lo-nireh p’nei ha’ish) literally means “we will not see the face of the man.” This specific construction was chosen over alternatives like “we cannot go” or “we cannot return” to emphasize the personal nature of the encounter and the importance of face-to-face meeting in ancient Near Eastern culture.
Verse 9: “I will be surety for him” – Judah’s pledge uses the formal legal term עָרַב (arab) rather than a simple promise, emphasizing the binding nature of his commitment. This legal language foreshadows Judah’s royal line and eventual messianic role.
Verse 14: “God Almighty” – The use of אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai) here rather than other divine names connects this narrative to earlier patriarchal promises and emphasizes God’s sovereign power over circumstances.
Verse 16: “Slay and prepare” – The Hebrew טְבֹחַ טֶבַח (tevoach tevach) uses a dramatic doubled construction, emphasizing the elaborate nature of the feast being prepared. This construction suggests royal celebration rather than simple hospitality.
Verse 23: “Peace be to you” – The steward’s response שָׁלוֹם לָכֶם (shalom lachem) uses the full blessing formula rather than a simple greeting, suggesting divine providence at work.
Verse 29: “God be gracious to you” – Joseph’s blessing to Benjamin uses יָחְנְךָ (yochnecha), a special form of the grace verb, suggesting both divine and royal favor.
Verse 34: “Five times so much” – The specific number חָמֵשׁ יָדוֹת (chamesh yadot) “five hands/portions” carries symbolic significance in Egyptian culture, where five was a number of special blessing.

Genesis 43 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several fascinating cultural and theological layers that might not be immediately apparent to modern readers. The seating arrangement at Joseph’s feast (v.33) reflects both Egyptian and Hebrew customs. The Egyptians ate separately due to their strict social hierarchies and dietary laws, yet Joseph arranged his brothers by age order, demonstrating his intimate knowledge of their births while maintaining his Egyptian persona.

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This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

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The five portions given to Benjamin carries deep significance in both Egyptian and Hebrew contexts. In Egyptian culture, the number five represented special blessing and divine favor. In Hebrew understanding, five is the number of grace and God’s goodness. This dual significance creates a rich tapestry of meaning that would have resonated with both ancient Egyptian and Hebrew audiences.

Rabbinic tradition suggests that the meal described in this chapter occurred on what would later become Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, symbolizing new beginnings and divine judgment. The Midrash Rabbah notes that Joseph’s emotional responses throughout the encounter (v.30) reflect not just family affection but recognition of divine providence working through human circumstances.

The early church father Origen saw in this chapter a prefiguring of the Messianic banquet, where Christ would feed His people abundantly. He particularly noted how Joseph’s provision of grain (bread) and wine paralleled the elements of communion, though he maintained this was allegorical rather than literal interpretation.

Genesis 43 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter presents several profound connections to Yeshua’s ministry and character. Judah’s willingness to be surety for Benjamin prefigures Christ’s role as guarantor of the New Covenant. Just as Judah pledged his life for his brother’s safety, Yeshua laid down His life as surety for His people. The Hebrew word used for surety (עָרַב, arab) appears in messianic prophecies and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s sacrificial role.

The theme of reconciliation through shared meals also points to Yeshua’s ministry. Joseph’s feast, where he provides abundantly for those who once rejected him, parallels Christ’s table fellowship with sinners and His provision of the Messianic banquet. The five portions given to Benjamin echo Yeshua’s feeding miracles, where abundance symbolized divine grace and provision.

Genesis 43 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages:

The theme of divine testing echoes Abraham’s test with Isaac (Genesis 22)
Judah’s surety prefigures Christ’s guarantee (Hebrews 7:22)
The lavish feast anticipates the Messianic banquet (Isaiah 25:6)
Joseph’s emotional response parallels Jesus weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41)
The theme of reconciliation finds fulfillment in Christ’s ministry (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)

Genesis 43 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to trust God’s providence even when circumstances seem threatening. Jacob’s struggle to release Benjamin reflects our own difficulties in surrendering control to God. Yet, the chapter demonstrates how God works through our fears and reluctance to accomplish His purposes.

The story invites us to examine our own hearts regarding reconciliation and trust. Just as Joseph’s brothers had to face their past actions and trust in undeserved mercy, we too must confront our sins and trust in God’s grace. The lavish feast Joseph provides reminds us that God’s mercy often exceeds our expectations.

Consider reflecting on these questions:

Where are you struggling to trust God with something precious to you?
How might God be working through difficult circumstances in your life?
Are there relationships in your life needing reconciliation?
How does Joseph’s generous response challenge your treatment of those who have hurt you?

Did You Know

The silver mentioned in this chapter would have been carefully weighed, as ancient Egypt didn’t use coined money. Instead, they used standardized weights of precious metals.
The Egyptian custom of eating separately from Hebrews (v.32) is confirmed by numerous archaeological findings, including wall paintings showing distinct dining arrangements based on social status.
The word used for “feast” (מִשְׁתֶּה, mishteh) in verse 16 literally means “drinking feast,” suggesting this was a formal banquet with wine, unusual in Egyptian culture where beer was more common.
Benjamin’s five portions reflect the Egyptian royal custom of showing special favor through food portions, attested in other ancient Near Eastern texts.
The seating arrangement by age order would have been particularly startling as the mathematical probability of correctly arranging eleven brothers by age is 1 in 39,916,800.
The mention of noon-time dining (v.16) was unusual, as most ancient Near Eastern peoples ate their main meal in the evening.
The spices mentioned as trade goods (v.11) were worth more than their weight in gold in ancient times and were used as currency in international trade.
Joseph’s steward’s blessing “Peace be to you” (v.23) uses a Hebrew formula suggesting he might have been familiar with Hebrew religious customs, possibly through Joseph’s influence.
The word used for Benjamin’s “portion” (מַשְׂאֵת, maseth) is the same word used for sacrificial portions in the later Levitical system.
The “best fruits of the land” mentioned in verse 11 uses a Hebrew phrase (זִמְרַת הָאָרֶץ, zimrat ha’aretz) that appears only here in the entire Hebrew Bible.

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Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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