Key Verse Spotlight
Genesis 42:18 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God. "
Genesis 42:18
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
16 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.”
17 He put them all together into custody for three days.
18 Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God.
19 If you are honest men, then let one of your brothers be bound in your prison; but you go, carry grain for the famine of your houses.
20 Bring your youngest brother to me; so will your words be verified, and you won’t die.” They did so.
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Genesis 42:1
"Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?”"
Genesis 42:2
"He said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy for us from there, so that we may live, and not die.”"
Genesis 42:3
"Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt."
Genesis 42:4
"But Jacob didn’t send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers; for he said, “Lest perhaps harm happen to him.”"
Genesis 42:5
"The sons of Israel came to buy among those who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan."
Genesis 42:6
"Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth."
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