Verse

Genesis 44:24

ESV “When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
NIV When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.
NASB So it came about when we went up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
CSB "This is what happened when we went back to your servant my father: We reported to him the words of my lord.
NLT So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said.
KJV And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

What does Genesis 44:24 mean?

Judah is recounting to Joseph—unrecognized (Genesis 42:7–8) except as a powerful Egyptian governor (Genesis 41:44)— what happened after their last trip to Egypt to buy grain for their family (Genesis 44:18–23). He has reminded Joseph about his demand that they bring Benjamin, the youngest, or they would not be able to buy grain again. Judah does not mention that Joseph also put their brother Simeon in prison until they returned (Genesis 42:24). So far, these are all details which Joseph already knows.

Now, Judah begins to tell Joseph, the Egyptian ruler, what he does not know. He begins to explain what happened when they returned home and told their father what had happened. Judah cannot know just how interested Joseph must be to hear this part of the story.
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