Gen 43 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 43:1-7: 43:1-7 As the famine continued , Jacob’s family needed more grain, but they could not return to Egypt without Benjamin (42:16 , 20 ). Jacob realized that he was in a bind; he needed more food but was loath to lose Benjamin .

Summary for Gen 43:1-7: 43:1-7 ^a As the famine continued, Jacob’s family needed more grain, but they could not return to Egypt without Benjamin (42:16 ^b, 20 ^c). Jacob realized that he was in a bind; he needed more food but was loath to lose Benjamin.
Summary for Gen 43:8-10: 43:8-10 ^d Judah broke the deadlock by taking responsibility for Benjamin’s well-being, thus succeeding where Reuben failed. His action was fitting, since it had been his idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites (37:26-27 ^e) instead of killing him. Now he would secure Benjamin’s safety with his own life (see 44:18-34 ^f).
Summary for Gen 43:11-13: 43:11-13 ^g Jacob provided everything he could to ensure a favorable reception from the Egyptian governor (the man; cp. 32:13-21 ^h).
Summary for Gen 43:13-14: 43:13-14 ⁱ Jacob finally entrusted his family’s future to God Almighty, the divine title that stresses God’s power (see also 17:1 ^j; 28:3 ^k; 35:11 ^l; 48:3 ^m; 1 Kgs 19:10 ⁿ, 14 ^o; Rev 21:22 ^p).
43:16 ^q When Joseph saw Benjamin with them: Joseph now knew that Benjamin was well (see study note on 42:1–44:34). The feast was both a celebration and a test.
43:18 ^r The brothers were terrified: Cp. 32:6-12 ^s. Their guilt would not let them see that something good might happen.
Summary for Gen 43:19-22: 43:19-22 ^t The brothers, completely vulnerable and feeling the weight of God’s judgment on their consciences, approached the manager in desperation.
43:24 ^u Joseph no longer treated his brothers harshly, but provided kind hospitality.
43:26 ^v For the second time, the brothers bowed ... before Joseph in fulfillment of his first dream (37:7 ^w; see 42:6-7 ^x; cp. 33:3 ^y).
43:29 ^z May God be gracious to you, my son: Joseph’s blessing to his full brother fulfilled Jacob’s prayer (43:14 ^aa).
43:30 ^ab he was overcome with emotion for his brother: Cp. 42:24 ^ac. Joseph’s tears were of painful memories and years of lost fellowship, as well as of joy and thanksgiving at seeing his brother again.

• He went into his private room: He did not yet plan to reveal his identity.
43:33 ^ad to their amazement: This ruler knew more about the brothers than seemed possible (cp. 44:15 ^ae).
43:34 ^af The brothers were confronted with generous and gracious dealings from God through Joseph, who tested their tolerance by reenacting the favoritism toward Rachel’s son that had galvanized their earlier hostility.