42:12-17
Joseph, carrying the charade, rejects their protestations. The brothers then give away further information, telling Joseph that Benjamin is still in Canaan, and one “is no more”. Joseph wants to see Benjamin, being his full brother, rather than a half-brother. So he tells the others to bring their remaining brother to him. Only one of them was to go, the others were to remain in custody in Egypt.
42:18-21
It seems that the brothers resisted Joseph’s command, knowing how precious Benjamin was to their father. On the third day it seems that Joseph changes the rules. This time only one should remain, and the rest go back to get Benjamin. They would also take grain with them. Although it was twenty years or so since they had sold Joseph into slavery, they still feel the guilt, and they see the mess they are in as judgement upon them because of their wrongdoing.
42:22-25
Reuben tries to justify himself, by recalling his reluctance to have Joseph killed. Joseph is watching and listening. The brothers were unaware that it was Joseph, and that their every word was understood. Joseph starts to become overcome by emotion. However, he continues with the deception, taking Simeon and having him bound. He also gave orders that the money they had brought to buy the grain be put back in the sacks of grain.
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