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23 (Now[a] they did not know that Joseph could understand them,[b] for he was speaking through an interpreter.)[c] 24 He turned away from them and wept. When he turned around and spoke to them again,[d] he had Simeon taken[e] from them and tied up[f] before their eyes.

25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill[g] their bags with grain, to return each man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. His orders were carried out.[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 42:23 tn The disjunctive clause provides supplemental information that is important to the story.
  2. Genesis 42:23 tn “was listening.” The brothers were not aware that Joseph could understand them as they spoke the preceding words in their native language.
  3. Genesis 42:23 tn Heb “for [there was] an interpreter between them.” On the meaning of the word here translated “interpreter” see HALOT 590 s.v. מֵלִיץ and M. A. Canney, “The Hebrew melis (Prov IX 12; Gen XLII 2-3),” AJSL 40 (1923/24): 135-37.
  4. Genesis 42:24 tn Heb “and he turned to them and spoke to them.”
  5. Genesis 42:24 tn Heb “took Simeon.” This was probably done at Joseph’s command, however; the grand vizier of Egypt would not have personally seized a prisoner.
  6. Genesis 42:24 tn Heb “and he bound him.” See the note on the preceding verb “taken.”
  7. Genesis 42:25 tn Heb “and they filled.” The clause appears to be elliptical; one expects “Joseph gave orders to fill…and they filled.” See GKC 386 §120.f.
  8. Genesis 42:25 tn Heb “and he did for them so.” Joseph would appear to be the subject of the singular verb. If the text is retained, the statement seems to be a summary of the preceding, more detailed statement. However, some read the verb as plural, “and they did for them so.” In this case the statement indicates that Joseph’s subordinates carried out his orders. Another alternative is to read the singular verb as passive (with unspecified subject), “and this was done for them so” (cf. NEB, NIV, NRSV).