And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

GENESIS 43:20KJV
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Genesis 43:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:20 mean?

Genesis 43:20 shows Joseph’s brothers respectfully addressing the steward of Joseph’s house, explaining that they had previously come to Egypt to buy food. The verse sets the stage for their attempt to clarify their intentions and address any misunderstandings about their earlier visit.

In this scene, Joseph’s brothers are speaking to the Egyptian official in charge of Joseph’s household. They are anxious because they have been brought to the house and fear they are in trouble over the money that was found in their sacks after their first trip. Their words are careful and polite, showing their concern to clear up any suspicion and to explain that they came simply as buyers of food during the famine.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:20

  • "said" (אָמַר, 'amar): This is the common Hebrew word for "to say" or "to speak," highlighting that the brothers are initiating a careful conversation.
  • "sir" (אֲדֹנִי, 'adoni): This term is a respectful way to address someone in authority, showing the brothers’ humility and deference to the steward.
  • "indeed down" (יָרֹד יָרַדְנוּ, yarad yaradnu): The repetition emphasizes that they truly did come down to Egypt before, underlining their honesty and the fact that this is not their first visit.
  • "time" (פַּעַם, pa‘am): This word refers to an earlier occasion, making it clear they are talking about a previous journey.
  • "buy" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This verb means "to buy" or "to purchase," specifically used here for buying grain or food.
  • "food" (לֶחֶם, lechem): While often translated as "bread," in this context it means food or provisions in general, which was the brothers’ purpose for coming to Egypt.

Why Genesis 43:20 matters

  • Genesis 43:20 helps clear up any suspicion about the brothers’ motives, showing that they are not spies or troublemakers but simply people seeking food during a famine.
  • The verse highlights the respectful and cautious approach the brothers take, which reflects their anxiety and the seriousness of their situation in a foreign land.
  • This explanation sets up the following events, where the steward reassures them and the story moves toward Joseph’s eventual revelation of his identity.

Where else these words appear

“O” Hebrew H994 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
  • Numbers 12:11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
  • Judges 13:8 Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

“buy” Hebrew H7666 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
  • Genesis 42:7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
  • Genesis 47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.

“time” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • 2 Samuel 17:9 Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom.
  • Ecclesiastes 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

“food” Hebrew H400 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 14:11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.
  • Exodus 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents.
  • Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.