Judah gives his word and the family shares a meal

“And the famine was sore in the land.” The line’s distinctive content terms include famine, land, sore. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:” The line’s distinctive content terms include brother, food, send. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die…” Naming Israel and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee…” The line’s distinctive content terms include bear, blame, hand. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in…” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, money, carry. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:” Naming Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be…” Naming Almighty and Benjamin keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to…” Naming Benjamin and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was…” Naming Because and Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:” The line’s distinctive content terms include first, food, time. Its relationship to verses 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.” The line’s distinctive content terms include money, food, hands. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I…” Naming Peace keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their…” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves…” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and…” Naming Thy keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his…” Naming Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.” Naming Set keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by…” Naming Egyptians and Hebrews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs…” The number five makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.