Definition: Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this very famous verse from Genesis 42:15. It’s a really dramatic and important part of the story of Joseph! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is setting a challenge for Joseph. “Hereby ye shall be proved…” – This means that this situation will test Joseph in a significant way. He’ll face hardship and difficult choices. “…By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence…” – Pharaoh is the king of Egypt, and he's incredibly powerful. He controls everything in Egypt. Joseph is about to be unjustly imprisoned and possibly even killed. This means that if Joseph doesn’t act correctly, he could end up in a very dangerous situation. “…except your youngest brother come hither.” – Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin, is the key to his freedom. God wants him to come to Egypt and be with Pharaoh. So, what's the point? This verse is about God testing Joseph’s character and obedience. It’s a way for God to show that He has a plan for Joseph, even when things seem very difficult. It’s essentially saying: “Don’t go into this dangerous situation without your younger brother by your side.” It’s a classic example of divine providence – God working behind the scenes to guide events and ensure a good outcome. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in the story? Give you another Bible verse that's similar in theme?