King James Version

What Does Genesis 43:15 Mean?

Genesis 43:15 in the King James Version says “And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egy... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

Genesis 43:15 · KJV


Context

13

Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:

14

And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. If: or, And I, as I have been, etc.

15

And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16

And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay , and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. slay: Heb. kill a killing dine: Heb. eat

17

And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, ... 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' Second Journey emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לָֽקְח֥וּ1 of 17

and they took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙2 of 17
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֶת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּנְחָ֣ה4 of 17

present

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַזֹּ֔את5 of 17

that

H2063

this (often used adverb)

וּמִשְׁנֶה6 of 17

double

H4932

properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc

כֶּ֛סֶף7 of 17

money

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

לָֽקְח֥וּ8 of 17

and they took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְיָדָ֖ם9 of 17

in their hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְאֶת10 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּנְיָמִ֑ן11 of 17

and Benjamin

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙12 of 17

and rose up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

וַיֵּֽרְד֣וּ13 of 17

and went down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִצְרַ֔יִם14 of 17

to Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ15 of 17

and stood

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִפְנֵ֥י16 of 17

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יוֹסֵֽף׃17 of 17

Joseph

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites


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 43:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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