share torah logo

Genesis 43:18 - Brothers fear Yosef's hidden test

Genesis 43:18 - בראשית 43:18

Hebrew Text

וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כִּי הוּבְאוּ בֵּית יוֹסֵף וַיֹּאמְרוּ עַל־דְּבַר הַכֶּסֶף הַשָּׁב בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵינוּ בַּתְּחִלָּה אֲנַחְנוּ מוּבָאִים לְהִתְגֹּלֵל עָלֵינוּ וּלְהִתְנַפֵּל עָלֵינוּ וְלָקַחַת אֹתָנוּ לַעֲבָדִים וְאֶת־חֲמֹרֵינוּ׃

English Translation

And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Yosef’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

Transliteration

Vayir'u ha'anashim ki huv'u beit Yosef vayom'ru al-dvar hakesef hashshav be'amtachoteinu batekhila anachnu muva'im lehitgolel aleinu ulehitnapel aleinu velakachat otanu la'avadim ve'et-chamoreinu.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים כִּ֣י הֽוּבְאוּ֮ בֵּ֣ית יוֹסֵף֒ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ עַל־דְּבַ֤ר הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ הַשָּׁ֤ב בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ בַּתְּחִלָּ֔ה אֲנַ֖חְנוּ מֽוּבָאִ֑ים לְהִתְגֹּלֵ֤ל עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ וּלְהִתְנַפֵּ֣ל עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְלָקַ֧חַת אֹתָ֛נוּ לַעֲבָדִ֖ים וְאֶת־חֲמֹרֵֽינוּ׃
וַיִּֽירְא֣וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֗ים כִּ֣י הֽוּבְאוּ֮ בֵּ֣ית יוֹסֵף֒ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ עַל־דְּבַ֤ר הַכֶּ֙סֶף֙ הַשָּׁ֤ב בְּאַמְתְּחֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ בַּתְּחִלָּ֔ה אֲנַ֖חְנוּ מֽוּבָאִ֑ים לְהִתְגֹּלֵ֤ל עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ וּלְהִתְנַפֵּ֣ל עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְלָקַ֧חַת אֹתָ֛נוּ לַעֲבָדִ֖ים וְאֶת־חֲמֹרֵֽינוּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Fear of Yosef's Brothers

The verse describes the brothers' fear upon being brought into Yosef's house, suspecting that the returned money in their sacks was a pretext for punishment. Rashi (Bereshit 42:28) explains that they feared Yosef would accuse them of theft, using the returned money as evidence to enslave them and confiscate their donkeys. This reflects their heightened anxiety due to their earlier guilt over selling Yosef (Midrash Tanchuma, Vayigash 4).

Psychological and Moral Dimensions

The brothers' reaction reveals their troubled conscience. The Ramban (Bereshit 42:28) notes that their fear stemmed from a sense of divine retribution—they believed their current distress was a consequence of their past sin against Yosef. The Talmud (Berachot 9b) teaches that when a person commits a sin and later faces a similar situation, they may interpret it as divine justice, which is why the brothers assumed Yosef sought vengeance.

The Role of the Donkeys

The mention of the donkeys is significant. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 91:8) suggests that the brothers were concerned not only for themselves but also for their property, as donkeys were essential for travel and commerce. Additionally, the Sforno (Bereshit 42:28) comments that their fear extended to all aspects of their livelihood, showing how guilt can magnify perceived threats.

Yosef's Hidden Intentions

Unbeknownst to the brothers, Yosef's actions were not punitive but part of a divine plan to test their repentance and reunite the family. The Or HaChaim (Bereshit 42:28) highlights that Yosef orchestrated events to lead them to teshuvah (repentance), demonstrating that what appears as misfortune may actually be a means of spiritual refinement.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were Yosef's brothers afraid when they entered his house?
A: Yosef's brothers were afraid because they thought they were being brought into his house as a trap. They believed Yosef (whom they did not recognize) would accuse them of stealing the money that was returned in their sacks earlier (Genesis 42:25-28). As Rashi explains, they feared he would use this as an excuse to enslave them and take their donkeys as punishment.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the brothers' fear in this verse?
A: The Midrash teaches that this episode shows how guilt from past sins can cause anxiety even in innocent situations. The brothers had sold Yosef into slavery years earlier (Genesis 37:28), and now their conscience made them suspect they were being punished measure-for-measure (middah k'neged middah). This teaches the importance of repentance and repairing past wrongs to live with a clear conscience.
Q: Why does the verse mention their fear about the donkeys ('our asses')?
A: Rashi explains that the brothers feared not only for themselves but also for their donkeys because they were carrying food for their families. The Torah emphasizes their concern for their livelihood and responsibilities. The Ramban adds that this shows how people naturally worry about both personal freedom and material possessions when facing perceived danger.