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Genesis 42:20 - Brother's return proves truth?

Genesis 42:20 - בראשית 42:20

Hebrew Text

וְאֶת־אֲחִיכֶם הַקָּטֹן תָּבִיאוּ אֵלַי וְיֵאָמְנוּ דִבְרֵיכֶם וְלֹא תָמוּתוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן׃

English Translation

but bring your youngest brother to me; so shall your words be verified, and you shall not die. And they did so.

Transliteration

Ve'et-achikhem hakatan tavi'u elai veye'amenu divreikhem velo tamutu vaya'asu-chen.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶת־אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הַקָּטֹן֙ תָּבִ֣יאוּ אֵלַ֔י וְיֵאָמְנ֥וּ דִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א תָמ֑וּתוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵֽן׃
וְאֶת־אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הַקָּטֹן֙ תָּבִ֣יאוּ אֵלַ֔י וְיֵאָמְנ֥וּ דִבְרֵיכֶ֖ם וְלֹ֣א תָמ֑וּתוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah Narrative

This verse (Bereshit 42:20) occurs during Yosef's interactions with his brothers when they come to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. Yosef, unrecognized by his brothers, accuses them of being spies and demands they bring their youngest brother Binyamin as proof of their honesty.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Yosef's demand to see Binyamin served two purposes:

  • Verification: "So shall your words be verified" - bringing Binyamin would prove they were truthful about their family situation.
  • Mercy: "And you shall not die" - Rashi notes this shows Yosef's compassion, as he wasn't planning to actually kill them despite his harsh words.

Ibn Ezra's Perspective

Ibn Ezra focuses on the psychological aspect, noting that Yosef's strategy created a situation where:

  • The brothers would be compelled to return with Binyamin to prove their innocence
  • This would fulfill Yosef's desire to see his full brother Binyamin again

Ramban's Deeper Insight

Ramban suggests this was part of Yosef's divine plan to:

  • Recreate the brothers' original sin (selling Yosef) by putting Binyamin in perceived danger
  • Give them opportunity for teshuvah (repentance) by how they would treat Binyamin

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:7) connects this to the brothers' earlier deception:

  • Just as they brought Yosef's bloody coat to their father, now they must bring Binyamin's presence to "Yosef"
  • The phrase "And they did so" hints at their growing recognition that they were being judged measure-for-measure

Halachic Dimension

Some commentators see in this episode principles that would later inform Jewish law:

  • The requirement for multiple witnesses (here, Binyamin would serve as verification)
  • The concept that one should give others opportunity to prove their innocence

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Yosef (Joseph) demand that his brothers bring Binyamin (Benjamin) to him?
A: Yosef wanted to test his brothers to see if they had changed since they sold him into slavery. By asking them to bring Binyamin, their youngest brother, he could observe whether they would protect Binyamin or harm him as they had once harmed Yosef (Rashi on Genesis 42:9).
Q: What does 'so shall your words be verified' mean in this verse?
A: Yosef was telling his brothers that bringing Binyamin would prove they were telling the truth about their family. Without Binyamin, Yosef suspected they might be spies lying about their identity (Ramban on Genesis 42:20).
Q: Why did the brothers agree to bring Binyamin after initially refusing?
A: The brothers had no choice because they needed food during the famine, and Yosef (still unrecognized by them) had made this a condition. Additionally, their father Yaakov (Jacob) eventually consented when they ran out of food (Genesis 43:1-14).
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yosef testing his brothers with Binyamin?
A: This teaches us about repentance (teshuvah) and personal growth. Yosef wanted to see if his brothers had changed from their past mistakes. The Torah shows how people can be given opportunities to rectify their wrongs (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayigash 5).
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of Yosef and his brothers?
A: This moment is a turning point where the brothers begin their journey toward reconciliation. By bringing Binyamin, they unknowingly set in motion the events that would eventually lead to their family's reunion and forgiveness (Sforno on Genesis 42:20).