King James Version

What Does Genesis 42:6 Mean?

Genesis 42:6 in the King James Version says “And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 42 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.”

Genesis 42:6 · KJV

Context

4

But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

5

And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

6

And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

7

And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. roughly: Heb. hard things with them

8

And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

Read Genesis 42 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: an... This passage is part of the Joseph narrative, a masterfully crafted account demonstrating God's sovereign providence working through human choices and circumstances to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The Joseph cycle shows how God transforms evil intentions into instruments of salvation.

Central themes include divine providence orchestrating events toward redemptive ends, the testing and refinement of character through suffering and success, forgiveness overcoming betrayal and injustice, and the preservation of God's covenant people through famine. Joseph's rise from slavery to second-in-command of Egypt illustrates how God exalts the humble and uses seeming disasters for ultimate good.

Theologically, these chapters reveal: (1) God's meticulous sovereignty over all events, even evil human actions; (2) suffering as preparation for future service rather than punishment; (3) forgiveness as reflecting divine character and enabling reconciliation; (4) God's covenant faithfulness across generations ensuring the survival and blessing of His people; (5) how present suffering gains meaning when viewed from the perspective of God's larger purposes. Joseph's words "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (50:20) epitomize biblical theodicy and providence.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Brothers' First Journey emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
יוֹסֵ֔ף1 of 17

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

ה֚וּא2 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַשַּׁלִּ֣יט3 of 17

“was the governor”

H7989

potent; concretely, a prince or warrior

עַל4 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אָֽרְצָה׃5 of 17

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

ה֥וּא6 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הַמַּשְׁבִּ֖יר7 of 17

“and he it was that sold”

H7666

to deal in grain

לְכָל8 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַ֣ם9 of 17

“to all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָֽרְצָה׃10 of 17

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙11 of 17

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֲחֵ֣י12 of 17

“brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

יוֹסֵ֔ף13 of 17

“And Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

וַיִּשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ14 of 17

“and bowed down”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

ל֥וֹ15 of 17
H0
אַפַּ֖יִם16 of 17

“themselves before him with their faces”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

אָֽרְצָה׃17 of 17

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 42:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 42:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 19:1Revelation 3:9Genesis 37:7-10Genesis 41:55-56Genesis 18:2Genesis 41:40-41

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Genesis 42 →

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