What does Genesis 43:17 mean?
Joseph (Genesis 37:24–28), once sold by his brothers as a slave, is now the second most powerful ruler in Egypt (Genesis 41:44). When his estranged brothers arrived to buy grain during a famine (Genesis 42:1–2), they failed to recognize him (Genesis 42:8). As a test—and perhaps a rebuke—he sent nine of them home (Genesis 42:24) to bring back the youngest brother, Benjamin (Genesis 42:19–20).Upon their return, Joseph ordered a servant to bring his ten clueless brothers to his home (Genesis 43:16). This brings great fear on the ten brothers as they try to guess what is going on (Genesis 43:18).
