Study Desk

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of the dungeon. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he went in before Pharaoh.

Now therefore, Pharaoh should look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.

This food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine to come upon the land of Egypt. Then the country will not perish in the famine."

So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.

When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you."

When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

"Look," he added, "I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die."

But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "I am afraid that harm might befall him."

So Joseph imprisoned them for three days,

and on the third day he said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God.

But Reuben replied: "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!"

Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, return each man's silver to his sack, and give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,

At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack.

But Jacob replied, "My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If any harm comes to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow."

So when Jacob's sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy a little more food for us."

If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy food for you.

But if you will not send him, we will not go; for the man told us, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'"

Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man-a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon."