share torah logo

Genesis 42:28 - Divine test or hidden kindness?

Genesis 42:28 - בראשית 42:28

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־אֶחָיו הוּשַׁב כַּסְפִּי וְגַם הִנֵּה בְאַמְתַּחְתִּי וַיֵּצֵא לִבָּם וַיֶּחֶרְדוּ אִישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו לֵאמֹר מַה־זֹּאת עָשָׂה אֱלֹהִים לָנוּ׃

English Translation

And he said to his brethren, My money is returned; and, lo, it is in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God has done to us?

Transliteration

Vayomer el-echav hushav kaspí vegam hineh ve'amtahtí vayetze libam vayecherdu ish el-achiv lemor mah-zot asah Elohim lanu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־אֶחָיו֙ הוּשַׁ֣ב כַּסְפִּ֔י וְגַ֖ם הִנֵּ֣ה בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י וַיֵּצֵ֣א לִבָּ֗ם וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַה־זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ׃
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־אֶחָיו֙ הוּשַׁ֣ב כַּסְפִּ֔י וְגַ֖ם הִנֵּ֣ה בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י וַיֵּצֵ֣א לִבָּ֗ם וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַה־זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Narrative

This verse (Bereshit 42:28) occurs during the brothers' return journey from Egypt after their first encounter with Yosef, who was unrecognizable to them as the viceroy of Egypt. Upon discovering their returned money in their sacks, they were gripped with fear, interpreting this as divine retribution for their earlier sin of selling Yosef into slavery (Rashi, Bereshit 42:28).

Fear and Divine Providence

The brothers' exclamation, "What is this that God has done to us?" reflects their sudden awareness of divine intervention. The Ramban (Bereshit 42:28) explains that they recognized this as a deliberate act of Hashem, not mere coincidence. The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayigash 8) elaborates that this moment was orchestrated to awaken their conscience and lead them toward teshuvah (repentance) for their actions against Yosef.

The Symbolism of the Returned Money

  • Measure for Measure: The Sforno (Bereshit 42:28) notes that just as they had sold Yosef for silver (Bereshit 37:28), their silver was now returned to them—a sign that their sin was being revisited upon them.
  • Test of Integrity: The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 42:28) suggests that Yosef arranged this to test whether they would keep the money or return it, revealing their moral growth since the sale of Yosef.

Psychological and Spiritual Impact

The phrase "וַיֵּצֵא לִבָּם" ("their heart failed them") indicates profound terror. The Malbim explains that their hearts "departed" from their normal state due to the weight of guilt. This mirrors the principle in Mishlei (28:1) that "the wicked flee when no one pursues," as their own conscience condemned them (R' Hirsch, Bereshit 42:28).

Lessons in Divine Justice

The Or HaChaim (Bereshit 42:28) highlights that the brothers' fear stemmed from realizing that Hashem was directly involved in their lives, holding them accountable. This aligns with the Talmudic teaching (Avodah Zarah 4b) that Hashem "brings about the means of repentance" to guide sinners toward rectification.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 42:28 mean when it says 'their heart failed them'?
A: The phrase 'their heart failed them' (וַיֵּצֵא לִבָּם) means that Yosef's brothers were overcome with fear and guilt when they found their money returned in their sacks. Rashi explains that they saw this as divine punishment for selling Yosef years earlier, and their conscience troubled them, realizing that Hashem was bringing their past deeds to light.
Q: Why were Yosef's brothers afraid when they found the money in their sacks?
A: According to the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:8), the brothers feared that they were being framed for theft, which would give the Egyptian ruler (unbeknownst to them, Yosef) a reason to punish or enslave them. Ramban adds that they also sensed divine intervention, making them reflect on their past wrongdoing against Yosef.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the brothers' reaction in Genesis 42:28?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97b) teaches that when a person faces unexpected consequences, they should examine their actions—just as the brothers immediately connected the returned money to their sin against Yosef. This verse reminds us that Hashem guides events to prompt teshuvah (repentance).
Q: How does the phrase 'What is this that God has done to us?' apply today?
A: The Sforno explains that the brothers recognized Hashem's hand in their predicament. Today, this teaches us to see challenges as opportunities for self-reflection and growth, understanding that nothing happens by chance—everything is hashgachah pratit (divine providence) meant to refine us.