Genesis 42:7
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.
Genesis 42:7 · King James Version
Meaning
When Joseph saw his brothers in Egypt seeking to buy food during the famine, he recognized them but chose to act as a stranger to them. Despite knowing their true identity, he decided to test them by speaking roughly and questioning their origins. This interaction reveals Joseph's complex emotions towards his brothers, as he balances his desire to reconnect with them after years of separation with his lingering feelings of betrayal and hurt from when they sold him into slavery. By pretending not to recognize them immediately, Joseph sets the stage for a series of events that will ultimately lead to a reconciliation and emotional healing within his family. This moment also highlights the theme of forgiveness and redemption that runs throughout the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Book of Genesis.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of the verse where Joseph sees his brothers but pretends not to know them is that it reflects the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation. Despite the betrayal and mistreatment he suffered at the hands of his brothers, Joseph ultimately forgives them and reconciles with them. This act of pretending to be a stranger and speaking roughly to them could be seen as a test to determine if his brothers have truly changed and if they feel remorse for their past actions. By testing their character in this way, Joseph is able to eventually reveal his true identity to them and demonstrate the power of forgiveness.
Additionally, a word study of the phrase "spake roughly unto them" could reveal the deeper meaning behind Joseph's actions. The Hebrew word used here for "roughly" can also be translated as "harshly" or "severely." This could indicate that Joseph's initial coldness towards his brothers was a deliberate choice to challenge them and prompt them to reflect on their past behavior. By addressing them in this manner, Joseph sets the stage for the emotional reunion and reconciliation that will later take place.
Genesis 42:7 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly with them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
World English Bible
Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, “Where did you come from?” They said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”
Douay-Rheims
And he knew them, he spoke as it were to strangers, somewhat roughly, asking them: Whence came you? They answered: From the land of Chanaan, to buy necessaries of life.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Ioseph sawe his brethren, hee knewe them, and made himselfe straunge toward them, and spake to them roughly, and saide vnto them, Whence come yee? Who answered, Out of the land of Canaan, to bye vitaile.