The Meaning of Genesis 42:25 Explained

Genesis 42:25

KJV: Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

YLT: And Joseph commandeth, and they fill their vessels with corn, also to put back the money of each unto his sack, and to give to them provision for the way; and one doth to them so.

Darby: And Joseph gave orders to fill their vessels with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way. And thus did they to them.

ASV: Then Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with grain, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provisions for the way: and thus was it done unto them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then Joseph  commanded  to fill  their sacks  with corn,  and to restore  every man's  money  into his sack,  and to give  them provision  for the way:  and thus  did he  unto them. 

What does Genesis 42:25 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 42:18-38 - Simeon Held The Others Sent Home
The behavior of this great Egyptian official-for so the brethren deemed him-must have seemed very hard and tyrannical to the trembling shepherds from the far land of Canaan. They had no idea that he understood what they said, and turned away to weep. But we can read his inner meaning. He must secure their return, so he kept Simeon bound. He wanted to see the beloved Benjamin, and to test their behavior to him, so he threatened that they should not see his face unless their youngest brother accompanied them. He gave to them of his kindly care in the gift of provisions and the return of their money. It was natural that the old father heard their story with failing-heart-"All these things are against me." Nay, in all these things was the life of the Spirit, and in all these things we are more than conquerors. See Romans 8:37.
"Judge not the Lord with feeble sense,
But trust him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face." [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 42:25 mean?

And commanded Joseph then to fill - their sacks with grain and to restore silver of every man to his sack and to give them provisions for the journey And he did for them thus
וַיְצַ֣ו יוֹסֵ֗ף וַיְמַלְא֣וּ אֶת־ כְּלֵיהֶם֮ בָּר֒ וּלְהָשִׁ֤יב כַּסְפֵּיהֶם֙ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־ שַׂקּ֔וֹ וְלָתֵ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם צֵדָ֖ה לַדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָהֶ֖ם כֵּֽן

וַיְצַ֣ו  And  commanded 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
יוֹסֵ֗ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
וַיְמַלְא֣וּ  then  to  fill 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: מָלֵא 
Sense: to fill, be full.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
כְּלֵיהֶם֮  their  sacks 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: כְּלִי  
Sense: article, vessel, implement, utensil.
בָּר֒  with  grain 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בַּר 
Sense: corn, grain.
וּלְהָשִׁ֤יב  and  to  restore 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
כַּסְפֵּיהֶם֙  silver 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
אִ֣ישׁ  of  every  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
שַׂקּ֔וֹ  his  sack 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: שַׂק  
Sense: mesh, sackcloth, sack, sacking.
וְלָתֵ֥ת  and  to  give 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
צֵדָ֖ה  provisions 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: צֵידָה  
Sense: provision, food.
לַדָּ֑רֶךְ  for  the  journey 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, common singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ  And  he  did 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לָהֶ֖ם  for  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
כֵּֽן  thus 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֵּן 
Sense: so, therefore, thus.