Genesis 42:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joseph recognizes his brothers but pretends not to know them and addresses them harshly.
The Context of Genesis 42:7
Joseph questions his brothers while hiding his identity.
What Does Genesis 42:7 Mean?
Joseph's choice to remain hidden is deliberate. He knows them instantly, yet he makes himself a stranger and speaks roughly. This harshness serves as a shield—it keeps him emotionally distant while he processes the sight of them and determines his next move. His questions begin the test.
By asking where they come from, Joseph initiates an interrogation that will uncover whether his brothers have changed, whether they remember their sin, whether they regret selling him. He is both testing them and protecting himself from the full force of his emotions.
Genesis 42:7 in the Original Language
made himself strange (נִשְׁמַר), 'acted as a stranger' — to maintain a concealed distance
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 42:7
What does Genesis 42:7 mean?
Joseph recognizes his brothers but pretends not to know them and addresses them harshly.
What is the context of Genesis 42:7?
Joseph questions his brothers while hiding his identity.