Notes 62: Joseph meets Benjamin (43:16-29)

SYNOPSIS: Upon their arrival back in Egypt with Benjamin, Joseph has the brothers brought into his residence. They are apprehensive and talk to Joseph's steward, offering to return money they had found in their sacks. He tells them not to worry about it. Simon is produced, and upon Joseph's arrival at the house, they lay out the gifts they have brought for him. He asks them how their father is, and speaks kindly to Benjamin.

• Text of the passage (in Nawat)

43:16 la'asher ‛al beto 
Lit. 'he who [was] over his house', and so translated in the LXX (kai eipen tôi epi tês oikias autou). Most others translations, including the Vulg. (praecepit dispensatori domus suae), make the meaning explicit by adding a noun such as 'ruler' (KJV), 'steward' (EAS, JPS, ESV...). So also in 44:1.