The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Genesis 43, Post #5
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Genesis 43:23-28
We left of last week with the brothers, the sons of Israel (Jacob), arriving in Mitsraim (Egypt). They had tried to make good on the failed payment for their previous grain purchases.
This week's reading reveals a one hundred and eighty degree turn in their treatment by the ruler's house as they wait for the ruler to arrive at home. They see their brother Simeon and he is well. The overseer blamed the money mistake on God, saying maybe your God had put the money in the sacks.
Joseph arrives and his brothers again bow down to him, as the dream that angered them years prior is fulfilled, and Joseph asks, le-shalom va-yomer ha-shalom avichem? (as to the welfare and he said wellness of your father?) and he asked them if he was still alive. They bowed down again. I assume that their bowing indicated that he was. The text does not state that they answered verbally.
The brothers were not sure if the crass treatment they had received the last time would still be the case now. They may have been trying to mimic the cultural norms that were known about not looking upon the face of Pharaoh, then transposing that cultural norm regarding this ruler of Egypt.
I used to make videos in which I read the Hebrew passages of my posts. They were hosted on a site that has now deleted them all. Since then I have been waiting for a trustworthy site to emerge, any site that is not youtube, where I can again do that. My goal is to have a record of my efforts to help others learn Hebrew as I did. I learned from reading the original texts. I try to keep censorship from destroying the continuity of my posts as well. I hope that does not happen here. Shalom!
Today's reading
English
He replied, "Peace to you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has put treasure in your sacks for you. I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them. And when the man had brought the men into Joseph's house and given them water, and they had washed their feet, and when he had given their donkeys fodder, they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present that they had with them and bowed down to him to the ground. And he inquired about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?" They said, "Your servant our father is well; he is still alive." And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.
Hebrew
The story continues next week as Joseph sees his little brother...
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