Gen 42:18 | NET2full | STEP | On the third day Joseph said to them, “ Do as I say and you will live , for I fear God .

‏ Genesis 42:18

18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do as I say ^{▼▼tn Heb “Do this.”} and you will live, ^{▼▼tn After the preceding imperative, the imperative with vav (ו) can, as here, indicate logical sequence.} for I fear God. ^{▼▼sn For I fear God. Joseph brings God into the picture to awaken his brothers’ consciences. The godly person cares about the welfare of people, whether they live or die. So he will send grain back, but keep one of them in Egypt. This action contrasts with their crime of selling their brother into slavery.}