On the third day
The phrase "on the third day" is significant throughout the Bible, often symbolizing a period of trial followed by deliverance or revelation. In Hebrew culture, the third day is frequently associated with divine intervention and fulfillment of promises. This timing underscores the gravity of the situation and the hope of resolution. Joseph's decision to act on the third day may reflect a divine orchestration, pointing to God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His plan.

Joseph said to them
Joseph, now a powerful figure in Egypt, speaks to his brothers who do not recognize him. This moment is rich with dramatic irony and emotional tension. Joseph's authority is evident, yet his words are measured and purposeful. Historically, Joseph's rise from a Hebrew slave to a ruler in Egypt is a testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of dreams given to him in his youth. His communication with his brothers is a pivotal moment in the narrative of reconciliation and redemption.

Do this and you will live
This phrase is both a command and a promise. Joseph sets a condition for their survival, which reflects the seriousness of their situation. Theologically, it echoes the biblical theme of obedience leading to life. Joseph's directive is not merely about physical survival but also about moral and spiritual integrity. It foreshadows the broader biblical principle that life is found in following God's ways.

for I fear God
Joseph's declaration, "for I fear God," reveals his character and the foundation of his actions. The Hebrew word for "fear" (yare) encompasses reverence, awe, and respect. Joseph's fear of God is not terror but a profound respect for God's authority and righteousness. This statement is crucial because it distinguishes Joseph from the pagan Egyptians and aligns him with the covenantal faith of his forefathers. It reassures his brothers of his integrity and sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Joseph's leadership.

(18) I fear God (Elohim).--By the use of the name Elohim they would understand that he worshipped the same God as they did. For though he may himself have used the Egyptian word for the supreme Deity, yet doubtless he would take care that the interpreter used the word Elohim.

Verses 18-20. - And Joseph (whose bowels of mercy were already yearning towards them) said unto them the third day, This do, and live; - i.e. this do that ye may live (vide Gesenius, 'Grammar,' 130, 2; Ewald's 'Hebrew Syntax,' 348b) - for I fear God - literally, the Elohim I fear; the term Elohim being employed, since to have said Jehovah would have been to divulge, if not his Hebrew origin, at least his acquaintance with the Hebrew faith (Hengstenberg). At the same time its use would arrest them more than the preceding adjuration, By the life of Pharaoh! and, whether or not it implied that the true God was not yet unknown in Egypt (Murphy), was clearly designed to show that he was a religious and conscientious person, who would on no account condemn them on mere suspicion (Lange). If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison. Joseph's first proposal, that one should go for Benjamin while nine remained as hostages for their good faith, is now reversed, and only one is required to be detained while the other nine return. If the severity of the first proposal filled them with consternation, the singular clemency of the second could not fail to impress them. Not only were the nine to be released, but their original demand for grain to carry home to Palestine was to be complied with, the grand vizier adding, to their undoubted amazement, As for the rest of you, go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses. "How differently had they acted towards their brother, whom they had intended to leave in the pit to starve" (Keil). The Egyptian governor feels compassion for their famishing households, only he will not abandon his proposition that they must return with Benjamin. But bring your youngest brother unto me - or, more emphatically, and your brother, the little one, ye shall cause to come to me. That Joseph should have insisted on this stipulation, which he must have known would cause his aged father much anxiety and deep distress, is not to be explained as "almost designed" by Joseph as a chastisement on Jacob for his undue predilection in favor of Benjamin (Kalisch), but must be ascribed either to the intensity of his longing to see his brother (Murphy), or to a desire on his part to ascertain how his brethren were affected towards Benjamin (Lawson), or to a secret belief that the best mode of persuading his father to go down to him in Egypt was to bring Benjamin thither ('Speaker's Commentary'), or to an inward conviction that the temporary concern which Benjamin's absence might inflict on Jacob would be more than compensated for by the ultimate good which would thereby be secured to the whole family (Kurtz), or to the fact that God, under whose guidance throughout he acted, was unconsciously leading him in such a way as to secure the fulfillment of his dreams, which required the presence of both Benjamin and Jacob in Egypt (Wordsworth, ' Speaker's Commentary). The reason which Joseph himself gave to his brethren was that Benjamin's presence was indispensable as a corroboration of their veracity. So (literally, and) shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die (the death due to spies): And they did so - i.e. they consented to Joseph's proposal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


and on the third
הַשְּׁלִישִׁ֔י (haš·šə·lî·šî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

day
בַּיּ֣וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

[he]
יוֹסֵף֙ (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to them,
אֲלֵהֶ֤ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Do
עֲשׂ֖וּ (‘ă·śū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this
זֹ֥את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

and you will live,
וִֽחְי֑וּ (wiḥ·yū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

[for] I
אֲנִ֥י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

fear
יָרֵֽא׃ (yā·rê)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Law: Genesis 42:18 Joseph said to them the third day (Gen. Ge Gn)