Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Yosef's brothers bow down to him?
A: Yosef's brothers bowed down to him because they did not recognize him as their brother and thought he was an Egyptian ruler. This fulfilled Yosef's earlier dreams (Genesis 37:5-11), where he saw his brothers bowing to him, showing that Hashem's plan was unfolding.
Q: What was the significance of the present they brought to Yosef?
A: The present (mincha) they brought was a gesture of respect and an attempt to gain favor with the Egyptian ruler (Yosef). According to Rashi, it included fine products from the Land of Israel, such as balsam, honey, spices, and nuts, showing the best of what their land had to offer.
Q: Why is this moment important in the story of Yosef and his brothers?
A: This moment is important because it marks the beginning of the reconciliation process between Yosef and his brothers. Though they still do not recognize him, their bowing fulfills Yosef's childhood dreams and sets the stage for the eventual revelation of his identity and their repentance.
Q: How does this verse teach us about humility?
A: The brothers' bowing teaches humility, as they showed respect despite their pride. Yosef, too, demonstrated humility by not revealing himself immediately but waiting for the right time according to Hashem's plan. The Midrash highlights that true greatness involves humility and patience.
Q: What can we learn from Yosef's behavior in this verse?
A: We learn from Yosef that even in a position of power, one must act with wisdom and restraint. The Rambam teaches that Yosef's controlled response—testing his brothers without vengeance—showed his righteousness and desire for true teshuvah (repentance) from them.
Context in the Narrative
The verse (Bereishit 43:26) describes the moment when Yosef's brothers bring him a gift and bow before him, fulfilling his earlier dreams (Bereishit 37:5-11). This occurs during their second journey to Egypt to buy food during the famine, with Binyamin now present as Yosef had demanded.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi notes that the brothers brought the gift "into the house" because they initially found Yosef in his royal court, but he then went inside his private residence. The brothers followed him there to present their gift, demonstrating proper protocol when approaching a ruler. Their bowing fulfills Yosef's prophetic dream of his brothers' sheaves bowing to his sheaf (Bereishit 37:7).
Ibn Ezra's Insight
Ibn Ezra emphasizes that the brothers "bowed themselves to him to the earth"—a complete prostration reserved for royalty or divine encounters. This mirrors Yaakov's later bowing to Yosef (Bereishit 47:31) and underscores Yosef's elevated status, foreshadowing the Jewish people's future subjugation in Egypt before rising to greatness.
Midrashic Interpretation (Bereishit Rabbah)
Rambam's Perspective (Guide for the Perplexed)
Rambam views this scene as part of Hashem's grand design to position Yosef as Egypt's leader to save his family during famine. The bowing represents not just personal submission but the necessary steps for the Jewish people's survival and eventual formation as a nation.
Halachic Dimension (Sefer HaChinuch)
The Chinuch (Mitzvah 30) references this verse when discussing the prohibition against bowing on stone floors (a practice associated with idolatry). Here, the bowing is permitted because it is directed properly—to a human leader in a non-idolatrous context.