Genesis 43:19
ESV
So they went up to the steward of Joseph 's house and spoke with him at the door of the house,
NIV
So they went up to Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
NASB
So they approached Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house,
CSB
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the doorway of the house.
NLT
The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke to him at the entrance to the palace.
KJV
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
NKJV
When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house,
What does Genesis 43:19 mean?
Joseph's brothers, still not aware of who he is (Genesis 42:8), fear they've been brought to his home to be attacked and forced into slavery (Genesis 43:16–18). In part, this would be God's vengeance on them for what they did to Joseph when he was a boy (Genesis 37:25–28; 42:21–22). It would also be punishment for not paying for the grain they purchased on their last visit (Genesis 42:26–28). They did pay, of course, but Joseph had the money secretly returned to their bags (Genesis 42:25). There's a deep irony in these men—who sold their hated brother as a slave—now fearing they will be forced into servanthood (Genesis 43:18).Before anything violent can happen, the brothers rush to clear up matters with the steward of Joseph's house. They seem to hope they can convince him of their innocence before anything more happens.
Genesis 43:16–34 finds Joseph's estranged brothers returning once more to Egypt and appearing before him. They still fail to recognize the person they sold into slavery some twenty years before. After he orders them taken to his home, the brothers are afraid they will be ambushed for a false charge of theft due to their prior visit (Genesis 42:25–28). Joseph's steward assures them God arranged those events, and all is well. Joseph shares a meal with them, honoring them as guests in his home and giving special attention to Benjamin. The meal turns into a time of merriment for them all.
Jacob must send Benjamin with his brothers, back to Egypt, to buy more grain for the family. Without it, they will starve, but the Egyptian ruler will not sell them grain if they don't bring Benjamin as agreed. Speaking on behalf of his brothers, Judah finally convinces his father. Arriving in Egypt, they are honored as guests in Joseph's house. They present a gift to him—still not recognizing him as their estranged brother—and Joseph, after being overwhelmed with emotion, pays special attention to Benjamin.