The Meaning of Genesis 43:20 Explained

Genesis 43:20

KJV: And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

YLT: and say, 'O, my lord, we really come down at the commencement to buy food;

Darby: and said, Ah! my lord, we came indeed down at the first to buy food.

ASV: and said, Oh, my lord, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And said,  O  sir,  we came indeed  down  at the first time  to buy  food: 

What does Genesis 43:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Gen 43:16-34 - Joseph Feasts His Brothers
Our Savior, of whom Joseph was such a striking emblem, knows all about us. Though we may fear Him with a great fear, He is providing for us with a thoughtful tenderness, which adapts itself to our every need. There is water for traveled feet; the benediction of peace for troubled hearts; a feast for hungry souls; tears of love for Benjamin; and a consideration of our very sitting at His table, which reveals His perfect knowledge of us. He waits to manifest himself as He does not to the world. The only thing that can separate is unconfessed sin. But just so soon as this is put away, the flood gates are opened and heart commingles with heart. Do not His mercies lead us to repentance? [source]

Chapter Summary: Gen 43

1  Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin
15  Joseph entertains his brothers
19  They discover their fears to the steward
26  Joseph makes them a feast

What do the individual words in Genesis 43:20 mean?

and said - sir indeed we came down the first time to buy food
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֑י יָרֹ֥ד יָרַ֛דְנוּ בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה לִשְׁבָּר־ אֹֽכֶל

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
בִּ֣י  - 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: בִּי  
Sense: if it please, pray excuse me, excuse me please.
אֲדֹנִ֑י  sir 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
יָרֹ֥ד  indeed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive absolute
Root: יָרַד  
Sense: to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down.
יָרַ֛דְנוּ  we  came  down 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: יָרַד  
Sense: to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down.
בַּתְּחִלָּ֖ה  the  first  time 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: תְּחִלָּה  
Sense: beginning, first.
לִשְׁבָּר־  to  buy 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: שָׁבַר  
Sense: to buy or purchase grain.
אֹֽכֶל  food 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֹכֶל  
Sense: food.