Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

GENESIS 42:25KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 42:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 42:25 mean?

Genesis 42:25 describes how Joseph ordered his servants to fill his brothers’ sacks with grain, secretly return each man’s money into his sack, and provide them with food for their journey home. This act was done without his brothers’ knowledge, as part of Joseph’s larger plan in dealing with his brothers during their visit to Egypt.

In this scene, Joseph is the one giving instructions to his servants, while his brothers—who do not recognize him—are the recipients. The brothers had come to Egypt to buy food during a famine, and Joseph, now a powerful official, is testing them. By returning their money and giving them extra provisions, Joseph sets up a situation that will later test their honesty and reveal their character.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 42:25

  • The word for “restore” is שׁוּב (shuv), meaning “to return” or “to bring back.” Here, it emphasizes that Joseph deliberately had the brothers’ money put back into their sacks, not just giving them grain but also returning what they paid.
  • The word for “provision” is צֵידָה (tzeidah), which refers to food or supplies for a journey. This shows Joseph’s care in making sure his brothers had enough for the trip, not just the grain they came to buy.
  • The word for “commanded” is צָוָה (tsavah), meaning “to order” or “to instruct.” This highlights Joseph’s authority and control over the situation, as he directs his servants to carry out these specific actions.

Why Genesis 42:25 matters

  • This verse shows Joseph’s kindness and wisdom, as he provides for his brothers’ needs while also setting up a test of their integrity.
  • The act of returning the money is significant in the story, as it later causes confusion and fear among the brothers, deepening the tension and drama of their interactions with Joseph.
  • Understanding these details helps clarify Joseph’s motives and the unfolding of his plan, which is central to the larger narrative of reconciliation and forgiveness in the chapters that follow.

Where else these words appear

“provision” Hebrew H6720 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
  • Joshua 1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
  • Judges 20:10 And we will take ten men of an hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and an hundred of a thousand, and a thousand out of ten thousand, to fetch victual for the people, that they may do, when they come to Gibeah of Benjamin, according to all the folly that they have wrought in Israel.

“corn” Hebrew H1250 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
  • Job 39:4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
  • Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

“thus” Hebrew H3651 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
  • 1 Samuel 9:13 As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

“sack” Hebrew H8242 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Esther 4:1 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
  • Isaiah 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?