The Meaning of Genesis 43:26 Explained

Genesis 43:26

KJV: And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

YLT: And Joseph cometh into the house, and they bring to him the present which is in their hand, into the house, and bow themselves to him, to the earth;

Darby: When Joseph came home, they brought him the gift that was in their hand, into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.

ASV: And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down themselves to him to the earth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And when Joseph  came  home,  they brought  him the present  which [was] in their hand  into the house,  and bowed  themselves to him to the earth. 

What does Genesis 43:26 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 43:26 mean?

And when came Joseph home then they brought him - the gift that [was] in their hand into the house and bowed down before him to the ground
וַיָּבֹ֤א יוֹסֵף֙ הַבַּ֔יְתָה וַיָּבִ֥יאּוּ ל֛וֹ אֶת־ הַמִּנְחָ֥ה אֲשֶׁר־ בְּיָדָ֖ם הַבָּ֑יְתָה וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ ל֖וֹ אָֽרְצָה

וַיָּבֹ֤א  And  when  came 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
יוֹסֵף֙  Joseph 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יׄוסֵף  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel.
הַבַּ֔יְתָה  home 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
וַיָּבִ֥יאּוּ  then  they  brought 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
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.
הַמִּנְחָ֥ה  the  gift 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִנְחָה  
Sense: gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering.
אֲשֶׁר־  that  [was] 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
בְּיָדָ֖ם  in  their  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
הַבָּ֑יְתָה  into  the  house 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ־  and  bowed  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hitpael, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁחָה  
Sense: to bow down.
ל֖וֹ  before  him 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular
אָֽרְצָה  to  the  ground 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.