Read Genesis 42:18-43:23 at Bible Gateway.
the teaching tools of scripture
Hebrew paragraph divisions
Gen 41:1-44:17 {s} Joseph the overseer
Strong themes of the parashah
none this week
Gen 42:18-43:23 chiastic structure
1a) Gen 42:18-24, He took Simeon from among them, and bound him;
1a) Gen 42:18-20, Joseph released them on the 3rd day to return, keeping one brother bound for surety;
1b) Gen 42:21a, We are certainly guilty concerning our brother;
central axis) Gen 42:21b-22a, Two-part theme repeated twice for emphasis;
1.1) Gen 42:21b, In that we saw the distress of his soul;
1.2) Gen 42:21c, When he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen;
2.1) Gen 42:21d, Therefore this distress has come upon us;
2.2.) Gen 42:22a, Reuben: Didn’t I tell you not to sin against him/ you wouldn’t listen;
2b) Gen 42:22b, Therefore also, behold, his blood is required;
2a) Gen 42:23-24, Joseph wept/ he took Simeon from among them + bound him before their eyes;
1b) Gen 42:25, Joseph commanded their money be restored along with their grain;
1c) Gen 42:26-35, They discovered the money returned to their sacks, and were afraid;
1a) Gen 42:26-28, They discovered the money returned to their sacks + their hearts failed them; 1b) Gen 42:29-31, They explained to Jacob: The lord took us for spies but we answered we are honest men;
1c) Gen 42:32, Twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, the youngest with our father;
central axis) Gen 42:33, The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your houses, and go your way;’
2c) Gen 42:34a, ‘Bring your youngest brother to me;’
2b) Gen 42:34b, ‘Then I will know you are not spies, but honest men;’
2a) Gen 42:35, Each man’s money was found in his sack/ they + their father were afraid;
1d) Gen 42:36, Jacob: You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph + Simeon are no more + you want to take Benjamin;
1e.1) Gen 42:37, Reuben: Entrust him to my care, and I will bring him to you again;
1e.2) Gen 42:38, Jacob: My son shall not go with you lest you bring me down with sorrow to Sheol;
central axis) Gen 43:1-7, Two-part theme repeated twice for emphasis;
1.1) Gen 43:1-2, The famine was severe/ Jacob: Go again to buy food;
1.2) Gen 43:3, Judah: The man warned us that we could not do so unless our brother is with us;
2.1) Gen 43:4-5a, If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll buy food, but if not, we’ll not go down;
2.2) Gen 43:5b-7, For the man said: You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you;
2e.1) Gen 43:8-10, Judah: Send the boy with me + I’ll be surety for him;
2e.2) Gen 43:11-14a, Jacob: If it must be so, take a present with you + double money + your brother/ may God Almighty give you mercy before the man;
2d) Gen 43:14b, Jacob: If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved;
2c) Gen 43:15-22, They explain the discovery of the money + double money to Joseph’s steward;
1a) Gen 43:15-16a, The men took the present, double money, Benjamin + stood before Joseph;
1b) Gen 43:16b-17, Joseph to the steward of his house: Bring them to my house to dine with me;
central axis) Gen 43:18, The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys;”
2b) Gen 43:19, They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, to speak to him;
2a) Gen 43:20-22, They explain the discovery of the money + we have brought double money;
2b) Gen 43:23a, Steward: Peace be to you + Don’t be afraid/ Your God blessed you + I received your money;
2a) Gen 43:23b, He brought Simeon out to them.
Theme of the parashah
Joseph’s test of the brothers: requiring Benjamin to return with them if they want to buy more food
Finding Messiah in Torah
The brothers were released from the prison on the third day. Prison as well as slavery, we saw, is a Torah metaphor for death, because the life previously led is ended. But on the third day, the brothers were released from prison, metaphorically, from death, and restored to their life. This history prophesies of the death and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua on the third day.
Additional readings for this parashah
Psa 36 | Isa 50-51 | Luk 1
Leave a Reply