And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

GENESIS 42:28KJV
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Genesis 42:28 (KJV)

What does Genesis 42:28 mean?

Genesis 42:28 describes how one of Joseph’s brothers discovers that the money he used to buy grain in Egypt has been returned to his sack, causing him and his brothers to become deeply afraid and wonder what God is doing to them. The brothers see this unexpected event as a troubling sign, fearing it may bring them trouble or punishment.

In this scene, the brothers are on their way home from Egypt after buying food during a famine. When one brother finds his money in his sack, he tells the others, and their hearts "fail" them—they are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. They interpret this strange situation as something God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) has caused, unsure whether it is a blessing or a sign of coming judgment.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 42:28

  • אֱלֹהִים (Elohim, "God"): The brothers specifically mention God as the one behind these events, showing their belief that what is happening is not just chance but has a deeper, divine purpose.
  • לֵב (lev, "heart"): The phrase "their heart failed them" uses the Hebrew word for "heart," which often refers to the center of emotion and thought. Here, it means their courage or inner strength left them.
  • יָצָא (yatza, "failed"): The word translated "failed" literally means "went out" or "left," painting a vivid picture of their fear as if their hearts abandoned them in that moment.
  • חָרַד (charad, "afraid"): This word for fear suggests a deep, trembling anxiety, not just mild concern, highlighting how shaken the brothers are.

Why Genesis 42:28 matters

  • This verse shows the brothers’ guilty consciences and fear that God is repaying them for their past wrongs, especially their treatment of Joseph.
  • The mention of God’s involvement marks a turning point in the story, as the brothers begin to see their troubles as more than coincidence.
  • The strong language for fear and failing hearts helps the reader feel the intensity of the brothers’ emotional state, setting up the tension for what will happen next in their journey.

Where else these words appear

“sack” Hebrew H572 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 42:27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
  • Genesis 43:21 And 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.
  • Genesis 44:2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

“lo” Hebrew H2009 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
  • Genesis 50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:25 Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.

“afraid” Hebrew H2729 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
  • 2 Samuel 17:2 And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:
  • Ezekiel 26:16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.