Genesis 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon."

◄ Genesis 43:16 ►

New International Version
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”

New Living Translation
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of his household, “These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside the palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.”

English Standard Version
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

Berean Standard Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.”

King James Bible
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

New King James Version
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.”

New American Standard Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make preparations; for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

NASB 1995
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

NASB 1977
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Joseph saw Benjamin with them and said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and prepare it; for the men are to eat with me at noon.”

Amplified Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and kill an animal and make [a meal] ready; for the men will dine with me at noon.”

Christian Standard Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his steward, “Take the men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they will eat with me at noon.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his steward, “Take the men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they will eat with me at noon.”

American Standard Version
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon.

Contemporary English Version
he saw Benjamin and told the servant in charge of his house, "Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and cook it, so they can eat with me at noon."

English Revised Version
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the man in charge of his house, "Take these men to my house. Butcher an animal, and prepare a meal, because they are going to eat with me at noon."

Good News Translation
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant in charge of his house, "Take these men to my house. They are going to eat with me at noon, so kill an animal and prepare it."

International Standard Version
As soon as Joseph noticed that Benjamin had come with them, he ordered his palace manager, "Bring the men into the palace. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, because these men will be dining with me for lunch."

Majority Standard Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.”

NET Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, "Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon."

New Heart English Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant of his house, "Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and prepare it; for the men will eat with me at noon."

Webster's Bible Translation
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready: for these men shall dine with me at noon.

World English Bible
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and Joseph sees Benjamin with them and says to him who [is] over his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal, and make ready, for the men eat with me at noon.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Joseph seeth Benjamin with them, and saith to him who is over his house, 'Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal, and make ready, for with me do the men eat at noon.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joseph will see Benjamin with them, and he will say to him over his house, Bring the men to the house, and slaughter a slaughter, and make ready, for the men shall eat with me at noon.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had seen them, and Benjamin with them, he commanded the steward of his house, saying: Bring in the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast: because they shall eat with me at noon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he had seen them and Benjamin together, he instructed the steward of his house, saying: “Lead the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast, because they will be eating with me at midday.”

New American Bible
When Joseph saw them and Benjamin, he told his steward, “Take the men into the house, and have an animal slaughtered and prepared, for they are to dine with me at noon.”

New Revised Standard Version
When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring these men into the house, and kill a sheep, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yoseph saw Benyamin with them, and he said to his Custodian, “Bring the men to the house; kill an animal and prepare it, because the men will eat with me at noonday.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house: 'Bring the men into the house, and kill the beasts, and prepare the meat; for the men shall dine with me at noon.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joseph saw them and his brother Benjamin, born of the same mother; and he said to the steward of his household, Bring the men into the house, and slay beasts and make ready, for the men are to eat bread with me at noon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Joseph's Hospitality to His Brothers
16When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.” 17The man did as Joseph had commanded and took the brothers to Joseph’s house.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 42:25
Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,

Genesis 44:1
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.

Genesis 45:1-2
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.

Genesis 18:5
And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”

Genesis 19:3
But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Genesis 24:31-33
“Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” / So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions. / Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”

Genesis 31:54
Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. And after they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.

Genesis 40:20
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker.

Exodus 2:20
“So where is he?” their father asked. “Why did you leave the man behind? Invite him to have something to eat.”

1 Kings 1:9
And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king.

1 Kings 3:15
Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

2 Samuel 9:7
“Do not be afraid,” said David, “for surely I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

2 Samuel 12:20
Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.

Luke 15:23-24
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. / For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Luke 24:30
While He was reclining at the table with them, He took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them.

Treasury of Scripture

And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

the ruler.

Genesis 43:19
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 24:2-10
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: …

slay.

Genesis 21:8
And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

Genesis 26:30
And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

Genesis 31:54
Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

1 Samuel 25:11
Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?

Proverbs 9:2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.

dine with.

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Animal Beasts Benjamin Butcher Cattle Chief Dine Dinner Eat Food Home House Joseph Kill Meal Meat Middle Noon Prepare Ready Ruler Servant Slaughter Slay Steward

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Animal Beasts Benjamin Butcher Cattle Chief Dine Dinner Eat Food Home House Joseph Kill Meal Meat Middle Noon Prepare Ready Ruler Servant Slaughter Slay Steward

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.

Berean Study Bible

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them
The phrase begins with Joseph, the central figure in this narrative, who is now the vizier of Egypt. The Hebrew root for "saw" is רָאָה (ra'ah), which implies not just physical sight but also perception and understanding. Joseph's recognition of Benjamin, his only full brother, is significant. It marks a moment of emotional and familial connection, as Benjamin is the son of Rachel, Joseph's beloved mother. This sighting is pivotal, as it fulfills Joseph's earlier demand to see Benjamin, which was a test of his brothers' honesty and integrity.

he said to the steward of his house
The "steward" here is a trusted servant, indicating Joseph's high status and authority in Egypt. The Hebrew term for steward is אֲשֶׁר עַל־בֵּיתוֹ (asher al-bayto), meaning one who is over the house. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice where wealthy individuals had stewards to manage their household affairs. Joseph's command to the steward shows his intention to extend hospitality, a significant cultural value in the ancient world, especially in the context of reconciliation and peace.

Take these men to my house
The directive to "take" them to his house is an invitation into a place of safety and honor. In the ancient Near Eastern context, being brought into someone's home, especially a person of Joseph's stature, was a gesture of acceptance and protection. The Hebrew word for "house" is בַּיִת (bayit), which can also symbolize family and belonging. This act foreshadows the eventual reconciliation and restoration of Joseph's relationship with his brothers.

Slaughter an animal and prepare it
The instruction to "slaughter an animal" is rooted in the Hebrew word טָבַח (tabach), which means to kill or butcher for food. This act of preparing a meal is not merely about sustenance but is a ceremonial gesture of hospitality and fellowship. In the biblical context, sharing a meal often signifies covenantal relationships and peace offerings. Joseph's command to prepare a meal indicates his desire to create a setting for reconciliation and to extend grace to his brothers.

for they are to dine with me at noon
The phrase "dine with me" is significant, as dining together in the ancient world was an intimate act that signified trust and friendship. The Hebrew root for "dine" is אָכַל (akal), meaning to eat or consume. The specific mention of "noon" suggests a formal and significant meal, as noon was a time for the main meal of the day. This timing underscores the importance of the event, highlighting Joseph's intention to reveal his identity and reconcile with his brothers in a setting of peace and abundance.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) Slay.--The charge of inaccuracy brought against the narrator, upon the supposition that the higher classes in Egypt, especially the priests, did not eat flesh, has been abundantly disproved, as the representations of feasts belonging to this period show that an abundance of animal food was consumed. Animals, moreover, sacred in one district were freely eaten in another. Generally the priests might eat the flesh of oxen and geese, but not mutton, pork or fish. (Rawlinson's Egypt, i. 438.)

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - And when (literally, and) Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he literally, and he) said to the ruler of his house, - literally, to him who was over his house, i.e. the steward (cf. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:4; Genesis 44:1) - Bring these men home (i.e. conduct these men to my house, which was probably at some distance), and slay, - literally, slay a slaughter. The assertion that the narrator is here guilty of an inaccuracy in representing Joseph as having animal food prepared for himself and his guests (Bohlen) is refuted by Herodotus (2:37, 40) and by Wilkinson ('Ancient Egyptians,' vol. 2. Genesis 7. pp. 22, 23, ed. 1878), who says that "beef and goose constituted the principal part of the animal food throughout Egypt," and that according to the sculptures "a considerable quantity of meat was served up at those repasts to which strangers were invited.' "Though there was scarcely an animal which was not held sacred in some province, there was, perhaps with the only exception of the cow, none which' was not killed and eaten in other parts of the land" (Kalisch) - and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon - literally, at the double lights (צָךהרַים), i.e. at mid-day, the time of greatest splendor.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

When Joseph
יוֹסֵ֣ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

saw
וַיַּ֨רְא (way·yar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

Benjamin
בִּנְיָמִין֒ (bin·yā·mîn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

with [his brothers],
אִתָּם֮ (’it·tām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

he said
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the steward
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר (la·’ă·šer)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his house,
בֵּית֔וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

“Take
הָבֵ֥א (hā·ḇê)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

these men
הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

to my house.
הַבָּ֑יְתָה (hab·bā·yə·ṯāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

Slaughter
וּטְבֹ֤חַ (ū·ṭə·ḇō·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 2873: To slaughter, butcher, slay

an animal
טֶ֙בַח֙ (ṭe·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2874: Something slaughtered, a beast, butchery

and prepare it,
וְהָכֵ֔ן (wə·hā·ḵên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they shall dine
יֹאכְל֥וּ (yō·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

with
אִתִּ֛י (’it·tî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

me at noon.”
בַּֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם׃ (baṣ·ṣā·ho·rā·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6672: A light, double light, noon

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OT Law: Genesis 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them he (Gen. Ge Gn)