Genesis 43:28

Key Reflection

In Genesis 43:28, Joseph, who had risen to a position of great power in Egypt, was testing his brothers by inquiring about their father’s wellbeing. This query was not merely polite; it served as a means to confirm their identity and intentions. The use of the term "the old man" (אֲבִי הַזָּקֵן, aviy ha-zaken) emphasizes Joseph's familiarity with his father Jacob, highlighting the long separation between them. This cultural context underscores how important family bonds were in ancient times, and how such a direct inquiry could reveal the brothers' genuine concern for their father’s fate.