And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

GENESIS 43:22KJV
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Genesis 43:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 43:22 mean?

Genesis 43:22 shows Joseph’s brothers explaining to the steward in Egypt that they have brought extra money with them to buy more food, and that they do not know how the money from their previous purchase ended up in their sacks. They are trying to clear themselves of any suspicion of theft or dishonesty.

In this scene, Joseph’s brothers are speaking to the Egyptian steward after discovering that the money they paid for grain on their last trip was mysteriously returned to them. They are anxious and want to make it clear that they did not intend to take the money, so they have brought it back along with new money for their current purchase. The verse highlights their honesty and fear of being accused of wrongdoing in a foreign land.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 43:22

  • "other" (אַחֵר, ’acher): This word means "another" or "additional." The brothers are emphasizing that they have brought extra money beyond what was found in their sacks, showing their carefulness.
  • "put" (שִׂים, sîm): This verb means "to place" or "to set." The brothers use it to stress that they do not know who placed the money in their sacks, underlining their confusion and innocence.
  • "sacks" (אַמְתַּחַת, ’amtachat): This word refers to a storage bag or sack, specifically for grain. Mentioning the sacks points to the practical detail of how the money was returned, grounding the story in everyday life.

Why Genesis 43:22 matters

  • This verse clears up any suspicion that Joseph’s brothers might have intentionally taken the money, showing their desire to act honestly even under stress.
  • The detail about the "other money" emphasizes their integrity and the seriousness with which they approach the situation in Egypt.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Joseph testing his brothers’ character, as their actions and words here reveal their changed attitudes since earlier events in Genesis.

Where else these words appear

“sacks” 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 43:18 And 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.
  • 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.

“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.

“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.