Genesis 42:20

42:20 But you must bring ¹  your youngest brother to me. Then ²  your words will be verified ³  and you will not die.” They did as he said. ⁴ 

Genesis 42:34

42:34 But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know ⁵  that you are honest men and not spies. ⁶  Then I will give your brother back to you and you may move about freely in the land.’” ⁷ 

[42:20]  ¹ tn The imperfect here has an injunctive force.

[42:20]  ² tn After the injunctive imperfect, this imperfect with vav indicates purpose or result.

[42:20]  ³ tn The Niphal form of the verb has the sense of “to be faithful; to be sure; to be reliable.” Joseph will test his brothers to see if their words are true.

[42:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “and they did so.”

[42:34]  ⁵ tn After the imperative, the cohortative with prefixed vav indicates purpose/result.

[42:34]  ⁶ tn Heb “that you are not spies, that you are honest men.”

[42:34]  ⁷ sn Joseph’s brothers soften the news considerably, making it sound like Simeon was a guest of Joseph (Leave one of your brothers with me) instead of being bound in prison. They do not mention the threat of death and do not at this time speak of the money in the one sack.