Genesis 43:28

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 43:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.
Genesis 43:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 43

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And they said, Thy servant our father is well, he is yet alive. And they bowed the head, and made obeisance.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they answered, thy servant our father [is] in good health, he [is] yet alive, etc.] Which is an answer to both his questions; and by calling their father Joseph’s servant, he did obeisance to him in them, as well as by sending a present to him, which they delivered as coming from him his servant; and it is not improbable that Jacob sent his salutation to him as his servant, and so that part of the dream of Joseph’s was also fulfilled, which represented the sun doing obeisance to him, (<013709>Genesis 37:9,10): and they bowed their heads, and made obeisance; a second time, as they did, no doubt, at every time they gave answer to Joseph’s questions; and this is again observed, to show the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ debash, “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים bôṭen, “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד shâqêd, “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז lûz. Some refer the former to the fruit, the latter to the tree. The eleven brothers are now to bow down before Joseph. Genesis 43:1-10 The famine was severe. The pressure began to be felt more and more. The twelve households had at length consumed all the corn they had purchased, and the famine still pressed heavily upon them. Jacob directs them to return. “And Judah said.” Reuben had offended, and could not come forward. Simon and Levi had also grieved their father by the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification