Genesis 43:20
ESV
and said, "Oh, my lord, we came down the first time to buy food.
NIV
"We beg your pardon, our lord," they said, "we came down here the first time to buy food.
NASB
and said, 'Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,
CSB
They said, "My lord, we really did come down here the first time only to buy food.
NLT
Sir,' they said, 'we came to Egypt once before to buy food.
KJV
And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
NKJV
and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;
What does Genesis 43:20 mean?
Ten of Joseph's brothers are urgently trying to explain themselves to his house steward (Genesis 43:19). After their first trip to Egypt, the men were forced to return home with one brother left as a captive (Genesis 42:24) and an ultimatum to bring back the youngest, Benjamin (Genesis 42:19–20). To their horror, on the way back, they found the money they'd used to pay for grain was back in their bags (Genesis 42:26–28). They were innocent; Joseph, who they have not yet recognized (Genesis 42:8), had the money returned in secret (Genesis 42:25).Now, on a second trip (Genesis 43:1–2), the men have been ordered to Joseph's home (Genesis 43:16–18). They are attempting to convince the house steward they did not steal back their money. They assume they've been escorted to Joseph's home to be attacked and forced into slavery for this crime. With such high stakes, the men are profusely polite, calling Joseph's servant "lord."
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.
