Genesis 43:31
◄  Genesis 43:31  ►
New International Version (©2011)
After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

New Living Translation (©2007)
After washing his face, he came back out, keeping himself under control. Then he ordered, "Bring out the food!"

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then he washed his face and came out. And controlling himself he said, “Serve the food.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, "Serve the meal."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Then he washed his face and came out. Regaining his composure, he said, "Serve the meal."

International Standard Version (©2012)
then washed his face and came out. Barely controlling himself, he ordered his staff to serve the meal.

NET Bible (©2006)
Then he washed his face and came out. With composure he said, "Set out the food."

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Then he washed his face and came out. He was in control of his emotions when he said, "Serve the food."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And he washed his face, and went out, and controlled himself, and said, Serve the food.

American King James Version
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

American Standard Version
And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he had washed his face, coming out again, he refrained himself, and said: Set bread on the table.

Darby Bible Translation
And he washed his face, and came out, and controlled himself, and said, Set on bread.

English Revised Version
And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

World English Bible
He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, "Serve the meal."

Young's Literal Translation
and he washeth his face, and goeth out, and refraineth himself, and saith, 'Place bread.'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

43:26-34 Observe the great respect Joseph's brethren paid to him. Thus were Joseph's dreams more and more fulfilled. Joseph showed great kindness to them. He treated them nobly; but see here the early distance between Jews and gentiles. In a day of famine, it is enough to be fed; but they were feasted. Their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land. If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be cheerful. Joseph showed special regard for Benjamin, that he might try whether his brethren would envy him. It must be our rule, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have. Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves, more and more of their need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge from destruction. He overcomes their unwillingness, and brings them to himself. Then, as he sees good, he gives them some taste of his love, and welcomes them to the provisions of his house, as an earnest of what he further intends for them.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 31. - And he washed his face (an indication of the violence of his weeping), and went out (from his chamber), and refrained himself (keeping his tears in check), and said, Set on bread - an expression used at the present day in Egypt for bringing dinner (Wilkinson, 'Ancient Egyptians,' vol. 2. p. 41, ed. 1878).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And he washed his face,.... From the tears on it, that it might not be discerned that he had been weeping:

and went out; of his chamber into the room again, where his brethren were:

and refrained himself; from weeping, or showing any excess of passion, love, joy, &c.

and said, set on bread; gave orders to his servants to bring in dinner, and set it upon the table; bread, as before, being put for all kind of food.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Ge 43:31-34. The Dinner.

31. Joseph said, Set on bread—equivalent to having dinner served, "bread" being a term inclusive of all victuals. The table was a small stool, most probably the usual round form, "since persons might even then be seated according to their rank or seniority, and the modern Egyptian table is not without its post of honor and a fixed gradation of place" [Wilkinson]. Two or at most three persons were seated at one table. But the host being the highest in rank of the company had a table to himself; while it was so arranged that an Egyptian was not placed nor obliged to eat from the same dish as a Hebrew.

Genesis 43:31 Parallel Commentaries

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Joseph's Hospitality to his Brothers
…30And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn on his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 31And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. 32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. …

Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence!" So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
Proverbs 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.