The Meaning of Genesis 43:21 Explained

Genesis 43:21

KJV: And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

YLT: and it cometh to pass, when we have come in unto the lodging-place, and open our bags, that lo, each one's money is in the mouth of his bag, our money in its weight, and we bring it back in our hand;

Darby: And it came to pass when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money according to its weight; and we have brought it again in our hand.

ASV: and it came to pass, when we came to the lodging-place, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And it came to pass, when we came  to the inn,  that we opened  our sacks,  and, behold, [every] man's  money  [was] in the mouth  of his sack,  our money  in full weight:  and we have brought it again  in our hand. 

What does Genesis 43:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 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: Genesis 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 43:21 mean?

But it came to pass when we came to the encampment that we opened - our sacks and there silver [was] [each] man in the mouth of his sack our silver in full weight So we have brought back it in our hand
וַֽיְהִ֞י כִּי־ בָ֣אנוּ אֶל־ הַמָּל֗וֹן וַֽנִּפְתְּחָה֙ אֶת־ אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ וְהִנֵּ֤ה כֶֽסֶף־ אִישׁ֙ בְּפִ֣י אַמְתַּחְתּ֔וֹ כַּסְפֵּ֖נוּ בְּמִשְׁקָל֑וֹ וַנָּ֥שֶׁב אֹת֖וֹ בְּיָדֵֽנוּ

וַֽיְהִ֞י  But  it  came  to  pass 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
בָ֣אנוּ  we  came 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
הַמָּל֗וֹן  the  encampment 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָלֹון  
Sense: place of lodging, inn, khan.
וַֽנִּפְתְּחָה֙  that  we  opened 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, first person common plural, third person feminine singular
Root: פָּתַח 
Sense: to open.
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.
אַמְתְּחֹתֵ֔ינוּ  our  sacks 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common plural
Root: אַמְתַּחַת  
Sense: sack, flexible container (for grain).
וְהִנֵּ֤ה  and  there 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
כֶֽסֶף־  silver  [was] 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
אִישׁ֙  [each]  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
בְּפִ֣י  in  the  mouth 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: פֶּה  
Sense: mouth.
אַמְתַּחְתּ֔וֹ  of  his  sack 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אַמְתַּחַת  
Sense: sack, flexible container (for grain).
כַּסְפֵּ֖נוּ  our  silver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
בְּמִשְׁקָל֑וֹ  in  full  weight 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מִשְׁקָל  
Sense: heaviness, weight.
וַנָּ֥שֶׁב  So  we  have  brought  back 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, first person common plural
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
בְּיָדֵֽנוּ  in  our  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.