Genesis 43:17-34

Joseph’s chief servant did as he was told and brought the men to Joseph’s house. Now the brothers were very apprehensive as they were being led inside, and said to each other, “He brought us here because of the money that was put back in our sacks the first time we came to Egypt! He’s looking for an opportunity to arrest us, turn us into his slaves, and take away our donkeys!” So they approached the chief servant and spoke to him at the entrance of the house. “If you please, my lord,” they said, “we came here once before to buy food, but on our way home, when we camped for the night and opened our sacks, we found each one’s money in the top of his bag. All our money was there in our bags! We know it must have been an oversight of some kind, and we have no clue who put it there, so we have brought it all back with us. Plus, we have additional money to buy more food.” “Relax,” he replied, “don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have been the one who put treasure in your bags. I have received your money; it’s all accounted for.” Then the chief servant brought Simeon out to them. Then he gave feed to their donkeys and brought the brothers into the house. He gave them water to drink and washed their feet. The men laid out their gifts to present to Joseph, for they were told he would appear before them at noon and would dine with them. When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought with them into the house. They each bowed low before him with their faces to the ground. He asked them how the family was doing, saying, “You mentioned your aging father; is he still alive? Is he doing well?” “Yes,” they replied, “our father, your servant, is still alive and doing well.” And they bowed low before Joseph in respect. Looking them over, he saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said to them, “So, I see you have returned with your youngest brother, of whom you spoke. God be gracious to you, my son.” Joseph hastily left the room, for he was overwhelmed with feelings of love for his brother and on the verge of tears. He went into a private room and sobbed, as tears ran down his cheeks. When he finally composed himself, he washed his face, reappeared, and ordered: “Serve the meal.” First, they served Joseph who was seated apart from his brothers, then the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians by themselves. (It would have been utterly offensive for the Egyptians to eat at the same table with the Hebrews.) Now, the brothers had been seated before Joseph in their birth order, from the firstborn at one end of the table to the youngest at the other end. They were all stunned when they realized the seating arrangement and looked at each other in astonishment. Eleven plates of food were taken from Joseph’s table and set in front of each of them, but Benjamin’s portion was five times more than any of theirs! They feasted and drank their fill with Joseph until they all became drunk.