And 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.

GENESIS 43:16KJV
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Genesis 43:16 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:16 mean?

Genesis 43:16 shows Joseph arranging a meal for his brothers after he sees that Benjamin has come with them. Joseph gives the orders to the man in charge of his household, while his brothers still do not know who Joseph is.

The order to “slay, and make ready” calls for an animal to be killed and prepared for the meal. The KJV’s “ruler of his house” means the person who managed Joseph’s household.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:16

  • “slay” — טָבַח (ṭavaḥ): The word means to slaughter an animal. Here it points to the preparation of fresh meat for the meal.
  • “dine” — אָכַל (ʾakhal): The word means to eat. In this verse, the setting gives it the more specific sense of sharing a meal with Joseph.

Why Genesis 43:16 matters

  • Benjamin’s presence is an important condition for this meeting. Joseph had previously told the brothers that they would not see his face again unless their youngest brother came with them (Genesis 43:3).
  • Joseph’s invitation looks different from the brothers’ first understanding of the situation. When they are brought into his house, they fear that they will be accused over money found in their sacks (Genesis 43:18).
  • The meal brings the brothers into close contact with the man they have not recognized as Joseph. That hidden identity gives their time at the table a meaning they do not yet understand (Genesis 42:8).

Where else these words appear

“slay” Hebrew H2873 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
  • Psalms 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
  • Jeremiah 25:34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

“slay” Hebrew H2874 · used in 12 verses

  • Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
  • Isaiah 34:6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
  • Jeremiah 50:27 Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

“with” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Leviticus 5:7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

“noon” Hebrew H6672 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:16 A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.
  • 1 Kings 20:16 And they went out at noon. But Benhadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him.
  • Isaiah 16:3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.