Genesis 42:8

There were many reasons why the brothers did not recognise Joseph. These are some of the reasons.

• They believed that Joseph was dead.

• Joseph had shaved his beard off.

• Joseph spoke in the Egyptian language and an interpreter translated.

• Joseph wore Egyptian clothes.

• Joseph had an Egyptian name.

Joseph speaks with his brothers

v9 Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed about them. And he said to them, ‘You are spies. You have come to see the weak places of this country. You are discovering how an enemy might attack it.’ v10 They said to him, ‘No, sir! Your servants have come in order to buy food. v11 We are all one man’s sons. We are honest men. Your servants are not spies.’ v12 He said to them, ‘No, you have come to see the weak places of this country.’ v13 And they said, ‘We, your servants, are 12 brothers. We are the sons of one man, who lives in *Canaan. The youngest brother is now with our father. And one brother is dead.’