Genesis 43:29-31

43:29 When Joseph looked up ¹  and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, whom you told me about?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” ²  43:30 Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother ³  and was at the point of tears. ⁴  So he went to his room and wept there.

43:31 Then he washed his face and came out. With composure he said, ⁵  “Set out the food.”

[43:29]  ¹ tn Heb “and he lifted his eyes.” The referent of “he” (Joseph) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[43:29]  ² sn Joseph’s language here becomes warmer and more personal, culminating in calling Benjamin my son.

[43:30]  ³ tn Heb “for his affection boiled up concerning his brother.” The same expression is used in 1 Kgs 3:26 for the mother’s feelings for her endangered child.

[43:30]  ⁴ tn Heb “and he sought to weep.”

[43:31]  ⁵ tn Heb “and he controlled himself and said.”