Definition: And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 43:34 together. It’s a really important passage about a man named Joseph and his incredible ability to save his brothers. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Joseph was a servant of Egypt. He was a very clever and trusted man, working for the Pharaoh. A big famine struck Egypt. There were so many people starving that the Pharaoh decided to offer a huge reward for anyone who could find his missing sons – Benjamin and Joseph. Joseph knew how to find them. He cleverly tricked the Pharaoh into letting him lead the search. He used his intelligence to figure out where the boys were hiding. They hid in a cave. The brothers were hidden in a dark, damp cave. Now, let’s look at Verse 34: “And he took [and sent] messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs.” “Took and sent” : This means Joseph deliberately removed the brothers' food and put it in a separate place. He wasn’t just leaving it there; he actively took it away. “Messes” : He was taking food – likely a significant amount. “From before him” : This is key! He didn't just take the food away ; he moved it to a specific spot. It’s like he was preparing something for them later. “Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs.” : This is where it gets really interesting. Joseph noticed that Benjamin's portion of the food was much larger than the others. He found out by observing how much each brother ate. He essentially created a huge disparity – Benjamin got more than everyone else. What happened next? "And they drank, and were merry with him." - This tells us that after this distribution of food, the brothers celebrated and were happy about Joseph’s plan. It shows how he used his cleverness to help them survive a difficult time. Overall Meaning: This verse highlights Joseph's incredible ability to be strategic and resourceful. He wasn’t just there to look after the brothers; he actively manipulated the situation to benefit him in the long run. It demonstrates his leadership, intelligence, and even a bit of deception – but ultimately, it’s a story about how someone can use their skills to help others. Think of it like this: It's a little bit like a game of chess where Joseph played a really clever plan to win! --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the symbolism behind the story (like the famine)? Give some context about Joseph’s role in Egyptian history?