Genesis 42:9 net — Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them,“You are spies; you have come to see i…

NET Bible

"Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them,“You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!”"

— Genesis 42:9, NET Bible

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Genesis 42:9 in Other Translations

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Genesis 42 — Context

6

Now Joseph was the ruler of the country, the one who sold grain to all the people of the country. Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.

7

When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger to them and spoke to them harshly. He asked,“Where do you come from?” They answered,“From the land of Canaan, to buy grain for food.”

8

Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

9

Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them,“You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!”

10

But they exclaimed,“No, my lord! Your servants have come to buy grain for food!

11

We are all the sons of one man; we are honest men! Your servants are not spies.”

12

“No,” he insisted,“but you have come to see if our land is vulnerable.”

Genesis 42:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 42:9 say?
Genesis 42:9 in the NET Bible reads: “Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them,“You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!””
Where is Genesis 42:9 in the Bible?
Genesis 42:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 42, verse 9.
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 42:9.
What translation should I read Genesis 42:9 in?
Genesis 42:9 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 42:9?
Genesis 42:9 reads (NET): “Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them,“You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!”” 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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