Definition: Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether [there be any] truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye [are] spies.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important passage about Joseph and his incredible situation! Here's an explanation in simple terms: What it means: This verse is saying that God wants to test Joseph. He’s setting him up for a difficult challenge – being imprisoned. But he also wants to see if Joseph can be honest and truthful, even if it means facing danger. Let's unpack the parts: "Genesis 42:16" : This is the verse itself – it's referencing a specific story from the beginning of the Book of Genesis (the first part of the Bible). “Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother…” : God is telling Joseph to find someone else to do something. He’s assigning a task to him. "...and ye shall be kept in prison..." : Joseph will be put in jail. “…that your words may be proved…” : This is the key part. God wants to see if Joseph can tell the truth, even when he's facing trouble. “Prove” means to test something – like whether he’s telling the truth or not. "...whether there be any…truth in you:" This is asking if Joseph possesses a strong moral compass and will be honest. "...or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye [are] spies." : This is the consequence if Joseph doesn’t tell the truth. It means that if he lies, Pharaoh – who is the powerful ruler of Egypt – will find out and become very angry with him. He'll be accused of spying! In short: God is setting Joseph up for a trial to see if his honesty and integrity will be tested. If he remains truthful, it means he’s worthy of God’s grace and will be rewarded. Why is this important? This story highlights the importance of trustworthiness and honesty – both for ourselves and for those in power. It shows that God values truthfulness above all else. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss what this verse might mean in a broader context (like its significance in Joseph's life)?