Genesis 42:31 nasb — "But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.

NASB

""But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies."

— Genesis 42:31, NASB

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Genesis 42:31 in Other Translations

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Genesis 42 — Context

28

Then he said to his brothers, "My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack." And their hearts sank, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us?"

29

When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying,

30

"The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country.

31

"But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.

32

'We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.'

33

"The man, the lord of the land, said to us, 'By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go.

34

'But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.'"

Genesis 42:31 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 42:31 say?
Genesis 42:31 in the NASB reads: “"But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.”
Where is Genesis 42:31 in the Bible?
Genesis 42:31 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 42, verse 31.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 42:31.
What translation should I read Genesis 42:31 in?
Genesis 42:31 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 42:31?
Genesis 42:31 reads (NASB): “"But we said to him, 'We are honest men; we are not spies.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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