Genesis 42

Question 1

Genesis 42:1

Answer 1

When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?”

Question 2

Genesis 42:2

Answer 2

He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”

Question 3

Genesis 42:3

Answer 3

Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Question 4

Genesis 42:4

Answer 4

But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

Question 5

Genesis 42:5

Answer 5

So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

Question 6

Genesis 42:6

Answer 6

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

Question 7

Genesis 42:7

Answer 7

As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

Question 8

Genesis 42:8

Answer 8

Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

Question 9

Genesis 42:9

Answer 9

Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

Question 10

Genesis 42:10

Answer 10

“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.

Question 11

Genesis 42:11

Answer 11

We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”

Question 12

Genesis 42:12

Answer 12

“No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

Question 13

Genesis 42:13

Answer 13

But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

Question 14

Genesis 42:14

Answer 14

Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!

Question 15

Genesis 42:15

Answer 15

And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Question 16

Genesis 42:16

Answer 16

Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

Question 17

Genesis 42:17

Answer 17

And he put them all in custody for three days.

Question 18

Genesis 42:18

Answer 18

On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:

Question 19

Genesis 42:19

Answer 19

If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.

Question 20

Genesis 42:20

Answer 20

But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

Question 21

Genesis 42:21

Answer 21

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”

Question 22

Genesis 42:22

Answer 22

Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”

Question 23

Genesis 42:23

Answer 23

They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

Question 24

Genesis 42:24

Answer 24

He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.

Question 25

Genesis 42:25

Answer 25

Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to put each man's silver back in his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. After this was done for them, 

Question 26

Genesis 42:26

Answer 26

they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left. 

Question 27

Genesis 42:27

Answer 27

At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack. 

Question 28

Genesis 42:28

Answer 28

"My silver has been returned," he said to his brothers. "Here it is in my sack." Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, "What is this that God has done to us?" 

Question 29

Genesis 42:29

Answer 29

When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them. They said, 

Question 30

Genesis 42:30

Answer 30

"The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us and treated us as though we were spying on the land. 

Question 31

Genesis 42:31

Answer 31

But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies. 

Question 32

Genesis 42:32

Answer 32

We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.' 

Question 33

Genesis 42:33

Answer 33

"Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, 'This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go. 

Question 34

Genesis 42:34

Answer 34

But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the land.'" 

Question 35

Genesis 42:35

Answer 35

As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man's sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. 

Question 36

Genesis 42:36

Answer 36

Their father Jacob said to them, "You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"

Question 37

Genesis 42:37

Answer 37

Then Reuben said to his father, "You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him back." 

Question 38

Genesis 42:38

Answer 38

But Jacob said, "My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in sorrow."