The Meaning of Genesis 43:16 Explained

Genesis 43:16

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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.'

Darby: And Joseph saw Benjamin with them, and said to the man who was over his house, Bring the men into the house, and slaughter cattle, and make ready; for the men shall eat with me at noon.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Genesis 43:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 43:16-34 - Joseph Feasts His Brothers
Our Savior, of whom Joseph was such a striking emblem, knows all about us. Though we may fear Him with a great fear, He is providing for us with a thoughtful tenderness, which adapts itself to our every need. There is water for traveled feet; the benediction of peace for troubled hearts; a feast for hungry souls; tears of love for Benjamin; and a consideration of our very sitting at His table, which reveals His perfect knowledge of us. He waits to manifest himself as He does not to the world. The only thing that can separate is unconfessed sin. But just so soon as this is put away, the flood gates are opened and heart commingles with heart. Do not His mercies lead us to repentance? [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 43:16 mean?

And when saw Joseph with them - Benjamin then he said to the steward of his house take [these] men to my home and slaughter animal and make ready for with me will dine at noon
וַיַּ֨רְא יוֹסֵ֣ף אִתָּם֮ אֶת־ בִּנְיָמִין֒ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־ בֵּית֔וֹ הָבֵ֥א הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים הַבָּ֑יְתָה וּטְבֹ֤חַ טֶ֙בַח֙ וְהָכֵ֔ן כִּ֥י אִתִּ֛י יֹאכְל֥וּ בַּֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם

וַיַּ֨רְא  And  when  saw 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
יוֹסֵ֣ף  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
אִתָּם֮  with  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
בִּנְיָמִין֒  Benjamin 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: בִּנְיָמִין 
Sense: Jacob’s and Rachel’s youngest son, Joseph’s full brother.
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙  then  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר  to  the  steward 
Parse: Preposition-l, Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
בֵּית֔וֹ  his  house 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
הָבֵ֥א  take 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים  [these]  men 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
הַבָּ֑יְתָה  to  my  home 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
וּטְבֹ֤חַ  and  slaughter 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: טָבַח  
Sense: to slaughter, slay, butcher, kill ruthlessly.
טֶ֙בַח֙  animal 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: טֶבַח 
Sense: slaughter, slaughtering, animal.
וְהָכֵ֔ן  and  make  ready 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.
אִתִּ֛י  with  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: אֵת 
Sense: with, near, together with.
יֹאכְל֥וּ  will  dine 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
בַּֽצָּהֳרָֽיִם  at  noon 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: צֹהַר 
Sense: noon, midday.