The Meaning of Genesis 42:12 Explained

Genesis 42:12

KJV: And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

YLT: and he saith unto them, 'No, but the nakedness of the land ye have come to see;'

Darby: And he said to them, No; but to see the exposed places of the land are ye come.

ASV: And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Discover Genesis 42:12

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Genesis 42:12?

MEANING: What does Genesis 42:12 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Genesis 42:12 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Genesis 42:12?

What is the context of Genesis 42:12?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

What does Genesis 42:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 42:1-17 - Joseph Sees His Ten Brothers

The true interpretation of Joseph's treatment of his brethren is to be found in the supposition that he repeated toward them, as nearly as possible, the behavior that they had shown to himself at the pit's mouth, and this with no thought of retaliation, but that their consciences might be awakened, and that he might discover if they would deal differently with Benjamin than they had dealt with him. He needed to be sure of their repentance before he could trust himself to them again. His purpose therefore was in part secured when he heard them saying to each other in the dear old home-tongue, which they never expected him to understand, "We are verily guilty because of our brother." So God deals with us. The east wind blows bitterly in our faces, the famine is behind and the harsh governor before. All these things are hard to bear; but behind them is the tenderest love, which struggles with its tears and is only eager to get us right before entrusting itself to us. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 42:12 mean?

But he said to them No but the nakedness of the land you have come to see

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם לֹ֕א כִּֽי־ עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶ֥ם לִרְאֽוֹת

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר	But he said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֲלֵהֶ֑ם	to them
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural Root: אֶל Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
לֹ֕א	No
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle Root: הֲלֹא Sense: not, no.
עֶרְוַ֥ת	the nakedness
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct Root: עֶרְוָה Sense: nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda.
הָאָ֖רֶץ	of the land
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular Root: אֶרֶץ Sense: land, earth.
בָּאתֶ֥ם	you have come
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine plural Root: בֹּוא Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
לִרְאֽוֹת	to see
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct Root: רָאָה Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 42:12?

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