Genesis 43:31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

◄ Genesis 43:31 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's 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.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

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.