Genesis 42:16
New International Version
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

New Living Translation
One of you must go and get your brother. I’ll keep the rest of you here in prison. Then we’ll find out whether or not your story is true. By the life of Pharaoh, if it turns out that you don’t have a younger brother, then I’ll know you are spies.”

English Standard Version
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”

Berean Standard Bible
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

King James Bible
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

New King James Version
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!”

New American Standard Bible
Send one of you and have him get your brother, while you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, you are certainly spies!”

NASB 1995
“Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”

NASB 1977
“Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”

Amplified Bible
Send one of you [back home], and let him bring your brother [here], while [the rest of] you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, [to see] whether there is any truth in you [and your story]; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, certainly you are spies.”

Christian Standard Bible
Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

American Standard Version
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

Contemporary English Version
Choose one of you to go after your brother, while the rest of you stay here in jail. That will show whether you are telling the truth. But if you are lying, I swear by the life of the king that you are spies!

English Revised Version
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One of you must be sent to get your brother while the rest of you stay in prison. We'll see if you're telling the truth. If not, I solemnly swear, as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"

Good News Translation
One of you must go and get him. The rest of you will be kept under guard until the truth of what you say can be tested. Otherwise, as sure as the king lives, you are spies."

International Standard Version
One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!"

Majority Standard Bible
Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!?

NET Bible
One of you must go and get your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison. In this way your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If not, then, as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"

New Heart English Bible
Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you will stay in prison, so that your words can be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies."

Webster's Bible Translation
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there is any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

World English Bible
Send one of you, and let him get your brother, and you shall be bound, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you, or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and you, remain bound, and let your words be proved, whether truth be with you: and if not, [as] Pharaoh lives, surely you [are] spies”;

Young's Literal Translation
send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye, remain ye bound, and let your words be proved, whether truth be with you: and if not -- Pharaoh liveth! surely ye are spies;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Send one of you and he shall take your brother, and ye to be bound, and your words shall be proved, whether the truth with you; and if not, Pharaoh living, for ye are spying.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Send one of you to fetch him: and you shall be in prison, till what you have said be proved, whether it be true or false: or else by the health of Pharao you are spies.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Send one of you and bring him. But you will be in chains, until what you have said is proven to be either true or false. Otherwise, by the health of Pharaoh, you are scouts.”

New American Bible
So send one of your number to get your brother, while the rest of you stay here under arrest. Thus will your words be tested for their truth; if they are untrue, as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

New Revised Standard Version
Let one of you go and bring your brother, while the rest of you remain in prison, in order that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh lives, surely you are spies.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and you shall be bound in prison, so that your words may be proved, to see if your statements are true; and if they are not true, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Send one of you to bring your brother and you will all be bound and your words will be tested, if you have spoken the truth, otherwise, by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh liveth, surely ye are spies.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Send one of you, and take your brother; and go ye to prison, till your words be clear, whether ye speak the truth or not; but, if not, by the health of Pharao, verily ye are spies.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Joseph's Brothers Sent to Egypt
15And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be confined so that the truth of your words may be tested. If they are untrue, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” 17So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,…

Cross References
Genesis 44:1-17
Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack. / Put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” So the steward did as Joseph had instructed. / At daybreak, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. ...

Genesis 43:3-5
But Judah replied, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’ / If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you. / But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’”

Genesis 37:5-11
Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. / He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: / We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” ...

Genesis 45:1-5
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. / But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it. / Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. ...

Genesis 50:20
As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

Exodus 1:8-10
Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

Exodus 12:37-38
The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. / And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

Numbers 13:1-3
And the LORD said to Moses, / “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” / So at the command of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites,

Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

1 Kings 3:16-28
At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...

2 Kings 7:12
So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”

Psalm 105:16-22
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ...

Isaiah 11:11-16
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. / He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth. / Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim. ...

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’


Treasury of Scripture

Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.

kept in prison.

Genesis 42:19
If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

Jump to Previous
Bound Confined Fetch Imprisoned Kept Life Pharaoh Prison Proof Proved Purpose Rest Secret Spies Surely Telling Tested True. Truth Whether Words
Jump to Next
Bound Confined Fetch Imprisoned Kept Life Pharaoh Prison Proof Proved Purpose Rest Secret Spies Surely Telling Tested True. Truth Whether Words
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.














Send one of your number
This phrase indicates a test of trust and responsibility. In the Hebrew context, the word "send" (שָׁלַח, shalach) often implies a mission or a task with a purpose. Joseph, acting as the governor of Egypt, is testing his brothers' integrity and unity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God sending individuals on missions to fulfill His divine purposes, as seen throughout the Scriptures.

to get your brother
The mention of "your brother" refers to Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and the only full brother of Joseph. This request is significant because it tests the brothers' honesty and their familial loyalty. Historically, the emphasis on brotherhood in the Hebrew culture underscores the importance of family ties and responsibilities, which are central themes in the narrative of Genesis.

the rest of you will be kept in prison
Imprisonment here serves as a means of testing and purification. The Hebrew word for prison (בֵּית הַסֹּהַר, beit hasohar) can also imply a place of confinement or restriction. This reflects the broader biblical motif of trials and tribulations as a means of refining character and faith, as seen in the lives of many biblical figures.

so that your words may be tested
The testing of words is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of truth and integrity. The Hebrew root for "tested" (בָּחַן, bachan) implies examination and scrutiny. This reflects the biblical principle that God examines the hearts and words of individuals to reveal their true character, as seen in passages like Psalm 26:2.

to see if you are telling the truth
Truthfulness is a core biblical value, and this phrase highlights the necessity of honesty in relationships. The Hebrew concept of truth (אֱמֶת, emet) is foundational to the covenant relationship between God and His people. This moment in the narrative serves as a test of the brothers' repentance and transformation since their betrayal of Joseph.

If not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives
This oath underscores the seriousness of the situation. In ancient Egypt, invoking Pharaoh's life was akin to swearing by the highest authority. This reflects the cultural and historical context of Egypt as a powerful and influential civilization, where Pharaoh was considered a divine figure.

you are spies
Accusations of espionage were grave in the ancient world, often leading to severe consequences. The Hebrew word for spies (מְרַגְּלִים, meraglim) implies deceit and hidden motives. This accusation serves as a narrative device to bring the brothers to a point of self-reflection and confession, ultimately leading to reconciliation and redemption, which are central themes in the account of Joseph.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Send
שִׁלְח֨וּ (šil·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

one
אֶחָד֮ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of your number
מִכֶּ֣ם (mik·kem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

to get
וְיִקַּ֣ח (wə·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

your brother;
אֲחִיכֶם֒ (’ă·ḥî·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

the rest of you
וְאַתֶּם֙ (wə·’at·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

will be confined
הֵאָ֣סְר֔וּ (hê·’ā·sə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

so that the truth
הַֽאֱמֶ֖ת (ha·’ĕ·meṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

of your words
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔ם (diḇ·rê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

may be tested.
וְיִבָּֽחֲנוּ֙ (wə·yib·bā·ḥă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 974: To test, to investigate

If
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

they are untrue,
לֹ֕א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

then as surely as Pharaoh
פַרְעֹ֔ה (p̄ar·‘ōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6547: Pharaoh -- a title of Egypt kings

lives,
חֵ֣י (ḥê)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

you
אַתֶּֽם׃ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are spies!”
מְרַגְּלִ֖ים (mə·rag·gə·lîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7270: To walk along, to reconnoiter, to be a, tale-bearer, to lead about


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OT Law: Genesis 42:16 Send one of you and let him (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 42:15
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