They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon.
Parallel translations
- WEB They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
- KJV And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
- BSB Since the brothers had been told that they were going to eat a meal there, they prepared their gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon.
- NKJV Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.
- NASB So they prepared the gift for Joseph’s arrival at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The brothers ready their gift for Joseph's arrival, having learned they would dine there. Anticipation builds toward the meal.
Overview
Preparing the present shows the brothers' continued effort to honor the lord and secure goodwill. Learning they will eat in his house, they sense favor rather than judgment. The arrangements set the stage for the emotional encounter with Joseph at noon.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Gen 43:11Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
- Gen 43:16When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 43:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.