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Genesis 42:33 - Test of brotherly loyalty?

Genesis 42:33 - בראשית 42:33

Hebrew Text

וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֵינוּ הָאִישׁ אֲדֹנֵי הָאָרֶץ בְּזֹאת אֵדַע כִּי כֵנִים אַתֶּם אֲחִיכֶם הָאֶחָד הַנִּיחוּ אִתִּי וְאֶת־רַעֲבוֹן בָּתֵּיכֶם קְחוּ וָלֵכוּ׃

English Translation

And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, Hereby shall I know that you are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:

Transliteration

Vayomer eleinu ha'ish adonei ha'aretz bezot eda ki kenim atem achichem ha'echad hanichu iti ve'et ra'avon bateichem kchu valechu

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ הָאִישׁ֙ אֲדֹנֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ בְּזֹ֣את אֵדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כֵנִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ הַנִּ֣יחוּ אִתִּ֔י וְאֶת־רַעֲב֥וֹן בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם קְח֥וּ וָלֵֽכוּ׃
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ הָאִישׁ֙ אֲדֹנֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ בְּזֹ֣את אֵדַ֔ע כִּ֥י כֵנִ֖ים אַתֶּ֑ם אֲחִיכֶ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ הַנִּ֣יחוּ אִתִּ֔י וְאֶת־רַעֲב֥וֹן בָּתֵּיכֶ֖ם קְח֥וּ וָלֵֽכוּ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in the Story of Yosef and His Brothers

This verse (Bereshit 42:33) occurs during the second encounter between Yosef (disguised as the Egyptian viceroy) and his brothers, who had come to Egypt to purchase grain during the famine. Yosef, recognizing his brothers but remaining unrecognized by them, devises a test to determine whether they have repented for selling him into slavery.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 42:33) explains that Yosef's demand to keep one brother (Shimon) as collateral was a strategic move to ensure the brothers would return with Binyamin. The phrase "Hereby shall I know that you are true men" indicates Yosef's test of their honesty—whether they would fulfill their promise to bring Binyamin, demonstrating their integrity.

Rambam's Perspective on Yosef's Strategy

Rambam (in his commentary on the Torah) suggests that Yosef's actions were calculated to recreate the circumstances of his own sale—separating one brother from the rest—to see if the brothers would now act differently. This would reveal whether they had truly repented for their earlier sin.

Midrashic Interpretations

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Vayigash 8) explains that Yosef's words "take food for the famine of your households" allude to both physical and spiritual sustenance—the brothers needed grain for survival, but also needed to rectify their past misdeeds.
  • Midrash Rabbah (Bereshit 91:8) notes that Yosef's demand to keep one brother mirrored how the brothers had previously separated him from the family, creating an opportunity for teshuvah (repentance).

Ibn Ezra on the Phrase "True Men"

Ibn Ezra comments that the term "כֵנִים" (true/faithful) implies Yosef was testing whether the brothers would deal honestly with him, unlike their deception toward their father Yaakov regarding Yosef's disappearance.

Kli Yakar's Psychological Insight

The Kli Yakar (R' Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) explains that Yosef's strategy was designed to evoke brotherly compassion—by forcing them to leave Shimon behind, he tested whether they would feel the pain of separation as they had once inflicted upon him.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is 'the man, the lord of the country' in Genesis 42:33?
A: In Genesis 42:33, 'the man, the lord of the country' refers to Yosef (Joseph), who was the viceroy of Egypt at the time. Though his brothers did not recognize him, Yosef was testing them to see if they had changed since they sold him into slavery (Rashi on Genesis 42:9).
Q: Why did Yosef ask his brothers to leave one brother behind?
A: Yosef asked his brothers to leave one brother behind (initially Shimon) as a test to see if they were truthful and would return with Binyamin (Benjamin), as they claimed. This was part of his plan to determine if they had repented for their past actions (Ramban on Genesis 42:15).
Q: What is the significance of Yosef providing food for his brothers' households?
A: Yosef providing food demonstrated his compassion despite their past mistreatment of him. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 91:10) teaches that this act reflects the principle of repaying evil with good, as Yosef ensured his family's survival during the famine.
Q: How does this verse teach about repentance and forgiveness?
A: This verse sets the stage for the brothers' eventual repentance (teshuvah) for selling Yosef. The Talmud (Chagigah 4b) explains that Yosef's tests were meant to bring them to sincere remorse, showing that true repentance involves changing one's actions and making amends.
Q: Why did Yosef not reveal his identity to his brothers at this point?
A: Yosef delayed revealing himself to ensure his brothers fully recognized their wrongdoing and repented. The Midrash (Tanchuma Vayigash 5) explains that this was a divine plan to bring about reconciliation and fulfill the prophecy of his dreams (Genesis 37:5-11).