Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. New Living Translation If you really are honest men, choose one of your brothers to remain in prison. The rest of you may go home with grain for your starving families. English Standard Version if you are honest men, let one of your brothers remain confined where you are in custody, and let the rest go and carry grain for the famine of your households, Berean Standard Bible If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Berean Literal Bible If you? are honest, let one of your? brothers be confined in the house of your? custody, and you? go and carry grain for the famine of your? houses. King James Bible If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: New King James Version If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. New American Standard Bible if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, NASB 1995 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, NASB 1977 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, Legacy Standard Bible if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, bring grain for the famine of your households, Amplified Bible if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your [place here in] prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine in your households, Berean Annotated Bible If you? are honest, leave one of your? brothers in custody while the rest of you? go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your? households. Christian Standard Bible If you are honest, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Holman Christian Standard Bible If you are honest, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. American Standard Version if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry grain for the famine of your houses: Contemporary English Version If you are honest men, one of you must stay here in jail, and the rest of you can take the grain back to your starving families. English Revised Version if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison house; but go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: GOD'S WORD® Translation If you are honest men, you will let one of your brothers stay here in prison. The rest of you will go and take grain back to your starving families. Good News Translation To prove that you are honest, one of you will stay in the prison where you have been kept; the rest of you may go and take back to your starving families the grain that you have bought. International Standard Version If you're honest men, leave one of your brothers here in custody, then the rest of you can leave and take some grain with you to alleviate the famine that's affecting your households. NET Bible If you are honest men, leave one of your brothers confined here in prison while the rest of you go and take grain back for your hungry families. New Heart English Bible If you are honest, then let one of your brothers remain confined in your prison; but you go and carry grain for the hunger of your households. Webster's Bible Translation If ye are true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. World English Bible If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf you [are] right men, let one of your brothers be bound in the house of your confinement, and you, go, carry in grain [for] the famine of your houses, Berean Literal Bible If you? are honest, let one of your? brothers be confined in the house of your? custody, and you? go and carry grain for the famine of your? houses. Young's Literal Translation if ye are right men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your ward, and ye, go, carry in corn for the famine of your houses, Smith's Literal Translation If ye true, one of your brethren shall be bound in the house of your guard, and ye yourselves go carry the selling for the famine of your houses. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf you be peaceable men, let one of your brethren be bound in prison: and go ye your ways and carry the corn that you have bought, unto your houses. Catholic Public Domain Version If you are peaceful, let one of your brothers be bound in prison. Then you may go away and carry the grain that you have bought to your houses. New American Bible If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in this prison, while the rest of you go and take home grain for your starving families. New Revised Standard Version if you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here where you are imprisoned. The rest of you shall go and carry grain for the famine of your households, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf you are pious men, let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; and the rest of you, go and carry grain for the famished who are in your household; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If you are just, your one brother will be bound in your prison house, and you go bring out grain to the hungry that are in your house: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917if ye be upright men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses; Brenton Septuagint Translation If ye be peaceable, let one of your brethren be detained in prison; but go ye, and carry back the corn ye have purchased. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt…18and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live: 19If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. 20Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.… Cross References If you are honest, Luke 8:15 But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop. Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You. leave one of your brothers in custody Genesis 39:20 So Joseph’s master took him and had him thrown into the prison where the king’s prisoners were confined. While Joseph was there in the prison, Acts 24:23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. 1 Kings 22:27 and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’” while the rest of you go Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, Joshua 4:12 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them. Deuteronomy 3:18 At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. and take back grain Genesis 45:23 And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey. Genesis 41:57 And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. Genesis 43:2 So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.” to relieve the hunger of your households. Genesis 45:11 And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’ Genesis 47:12 Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families. 1 Kings 17:14-16 for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.’” / So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and there was food every day for Elijah and the woman and her household. / The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through Elijah. Genesis 44:33-34 Now please let your servant stay here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy. Let him return with his brothers. / For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.” Treasury of Scripture If you be true men, let one of your brothers be bound in the house of your prison: go you, carry corn for the famine of your houses: house. Genesis 40:3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. Isaiah 42:7,22 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house… Jeremiah 37:15 Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. carry corn. Genesis 42:1,2,26 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? … Genesis 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. Genesis 43:1,2 And the famine was sore in the land… Jump to Previous Bound Carry Confined Corn Families Famine Grain Honest House Households Houses Hunger Kept Needs Prison Prison-House Rest Right Starving True. Upright WardJump to Next Bound Carry Confined Corn Families Famine Grain Honest House Households Houses Hunger Kept Needs Prison Prison-House Rest Right Starving True. Upright WardGenesis 42 1. Jacob sends his ten sons to buy grain in Egypt.16. They are imprisoned by Joseph as spies. 18. They are set at liberty, on condition to bring Benjamin. 21. They have remorse for Joseph. 24. Simeon is kept for a pledge. 25. They return with grain, and their money. 29. Their relation to Jacob. 36. Jacob refuses to send Benjamin. If you are honest, This phrase challenges the integrity of Joseph's brothers. Honesty is a recurring biblical theme, emphasized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16) and Proverbs (Proverbs 12:22). Joseph tests his brothers' truthfulness, reflecting God's desire for righteousness and integrity among His people. leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joseph- The governor of Egypt, who was once sold into slavery by his brothers. He is testing his brothers' honesty and integrity. 2. Joseph's Brothers - The sons of Jacob who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a famine. They are unaware that the governor is their brother Joseph. 3. Egypt - The land where Joseph has risen to power and where his brothers have come to buy grain. 4. Prison - The place where Joseph proposes to keep one brother as a test of the others' honesty. 5. Famine - The severe shortage of food affecting the region, prompting Joseph's brothers to seek grain in Egypt. Teaching Points Integrity and HonestyJoseph's test of his brothers highlights the importance of integrity. As believers, we are called to live honestly in all our dealings. God's Sovereignty Despite the brothers' past actions, God used the situation to fulfill His purposes. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire. Forgiveness and Reconciliation Joseph's account is a powerful example of forgiveness. We are encouraged to forgive those who have wronged us, following Joseph's example and Christ's command. Provision in Times of Need Just as Joseph provided for his family during the famine, God provides for us in our times of need. We should trust in His provision and care. Testing and Growth Trials and tests can lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Embrace them as opportunities for God to refine your character. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 42:19?2. How does Genesis 42:19 demonstrate Joseph's wisdom in testing his brothers' honesty? 3. What does "one of you must bring your brother" reveal about accountability? 4. How can we apply Joseph's strategy in Genesis 42:19 to resolve conflicts today? 5. How does Genesis 42:19 connect to themes of repentance and reconciliation in Scripture? 6. What lessons on trust and integrity can we learn from Genesis 42:19? 7. How does Genesis 42:19 reflect God's justice and mercy in Joseph's story? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Genesis 42:19? 9. How does Genesis 42:19 illustrate the theme of repentance and forgiveness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 42? 11. How do the events in Genesis 44 fit coherently with earlier chapters in Genesis, given the discrepancies in character motivations and the sudden moral tension introduced by Joseph's actions? 12. Why would the governor of Egypt personally handle these seemingly minor food transactions without delegation (Genesis 42:6)? 13. How could Joseph's brothers fail to recognize him after only about two decades (Genesis 42:7-8)? 14. How does the narrative reconcile with earlier promises of prosperity to Jacob's family (Genesis 28:10-15) when they face such dire circumstances (Genesis 42)? What Does Genesis 42:19 Mean If you are honest– Joseph, still unrecognized by his brothers, places the entire encounter on the footing of honesty (Genesis 42:15-16). – Scripture consistently links honesty with covenant faithfulness: “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22); see also Colossians 3:9. – Joseph’s challenge exposes past deceit – their earlier lie about his own disappearance (Genesis 37:31-33). The test invites repentance and truthfulness. – God often confronts His people with situations that bring concealed sin into the light (Joshua 7:19; Psalm 51:6). leave one of your brothers in custody – By detaining Simeon (Genesis 42:24), Joseph mirrors what they once did to him (Genesis 37:23-28) and measures their loyalty. – Custody is both discipline and mercy: only one is held, not all. This foreshadows substitutionary themes later fulfilled when one suffers so others may go free (Isaiah 53:5; John 18:8-9). – The brothers must now decide whether to abandon Simeon as they did Joseph, or return for him, demonstrating changed hearts. while the rest of you go – Joseph grants freedom to the majority, showing compassionate leadership rather than vengeance (Genesis 45:5-7). – Allowing them to travel home keeps the covenant family alive, preserving the line through which God promised blessing (Genesis 12:3). – His patience reflects God’s longsuffering toward sinners, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). and take back grain – Joseph uses Egypt’s stores, prepared under God’s direction (Genesis 41:48-49, 56), to sustain those who once harmed him. – This models returning good for evil (Romans 12:20-21) and prefigures Christ, who provides bread of life for those who rejected Him (John 6:35). – Physical provision is tied to spiritual awakening; the brothers’ need for food opens the door to reconciliation. to relieve the hunger of your households – Joseph’s concern extends to the innocent family members back in Canaan – elderly Jacob, the children, the servants (Genesis 42:33). – Scripture charges believers to care for their own: “If anyone does not provide for his own… he has denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8). – God repeatedly supplies in famine (1 Kings 17:14-16; Psalm 37:19), underscoring His faithfulness to sustain His covenant people. summary Genesis 42:19 reveals a purposeful test: Joseph confronts his brothers with their past deceit, demands tangible proof of honesty, yet mercifully provides for their families. One brother’s detention exposes the others’ hearts; the journey home with grain keeps the covenant line alive. The verse blends justice, mercy, and providence, pointing ahead to the greater Substitute who suffers so His brethren may go free and be fed with living bread. Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you אַתֶּ֔ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are honest, כֵּנִ֣ים (kê·nîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3651: So -- thus leave one אֶחָ֔ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first of your brothers in custody יֵאָסֵ֖ר (yê·’ā·sêr) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle while the rest of you וְאַתֶּם֙ (wə·’at·tem) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you go לְכ֣וּ (lə·ḵū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and take back הָבִ֔יאוּ (hā·ḇî·’ū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go grain שֶׁ֖בֶר (še·ḇer) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7668: Corn, grain to relieve the hunger רַעֲב֥וֹן (ra·‘ă·ḇō·wn) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7459: Hunger, lack of food, famine of your households. בָּתֵּיכֶֽם׃ (bāt·tê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 1004: A house Links Genesis 42:19 NIVGenesis 42:19 NLT Genesis 42:19 ESV Genesis 42:19 NASB Genesis 42:19 KJV Genesis 42:19 BibleApps.com Genesis 42:19 Biblia Paralela Genesis 42:19 Chinese Bible Genesis 42:19 French Bible Genesis 42:19 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 42:19 If you are honest men then let (Gen. 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