Genesis 42:21

“Clearly we're being punished for what we did to our brother,” they said to each other. “We watched him in agony pleading with us for mercy, but we refused to listen to him. That's why we're in all this trouble.”

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

In Context

20But you must bring your youngest brother here to me to prove what you're saying is true. If not, you will all die.” They agreed to do this.

22Reuben said to them, “Didn't I tell you, ‘Don't harm the boy!’ But you didn't listen to me. Now we're paying the price for what we did to him.”

Read all of Genesis 42

Cross References

Genesis 37:23So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off his robe—the colorful long-sleeved robe he was wearing—

Genesis 41:9But then the chief cupbearer spoke up. “Today I've just remembered a bad mistake I've made,” he explained.

Numbers 32:23But if you fail to do this, you will clearly be sinning against the Lord, and the consequences of your sin will catch up with you.

2 Samuel 12:13David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” “The Lord has forgiven your sins. You're not going to die,” Nathan replied.

Job 33:27They sing, and tell others, ‘I sinned, I distorted what is right, but it did not do me any good.

Job 36:8If they are bound in chains, tied down by ropes of suffering,

Matthew Henry on Genesis 42:8-21

Joseph Speaks Roughly to His Brethren. ( b. c. 1706.) 7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. 8 And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. 10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 42:21