Genesis 43:34 · Bible study
Genesis 43:34 Commentary: The Test of a Larger Portion and Joyful Reconciliation
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Joseph give Benjamin a five-times larger portion? Explore the test of jealousy, the meaning of 'drank and were merry,' and the brothers' changed hearts.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Joseph gives Benjamin a five-times larger portion as a test of the brothers' hearts; they respond with joy, signaling reconciliation.
- Key words: “Portion” (mas’et H4864), a gift or tribute; “five hands” (chamesh yadot), five measures, a sign of special honor; “drank and were merry” (shathah + shakar), drinking liberally in a festive, not necessarily drunken, context.
- Main debate: Whether Joseph's gesture was primarily a test of jealousy or simply an expression of love for Benjamin. Most commentators see both: affection and a probing of the brothers' character.
- Theological theme: God transforms resentment into reconciliation; a feast celebrates forgiveness.
- Best use: Preaching or teaching on forgiveness, family restoration, or the test of sibling rivalry. Works well alongside Genesis 45 (Joseph reveals himself).
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.
KJV King James Version 1769
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and he lifteth up gifts from before him unto them, and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the gifts of all of them; and they drink, yea, they drink abundantly with him.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he had portions carried to them from before him. And Benjamin's portion was five times greater than the portions of them all. And they drank, and made merry with him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y él tomó viandas de delante de sí para ellos; mas la porción de Benjamín era cinco veces como cualquiera de las de ellos. Y bebieron, y alegráronse con él.
E ele tomou iguarias de diante de si para eles; mas a porção de Benjamim era cinco vezes como qualquer uma das deles. E beberam, e alegraram-se com ele.
Joseph leur fit porter des mets qui étaient devant lui, et Benjamin en eut cinq fois plus que les autres. Ils burent, et s’ égayèrent avec lui.
Und man trug ihnen Essen vor von seinem Tisch; aber dem Benjamin ward fünfmal mehr denn den andern. Und sie tranken und wurden fröhlich mit ihm.
En hij langde hun van de gerechten, die voor hem waren; maar Benjamins gerecht was vijfmaal groter, dan de gerechten van hen allen. En zij dronken, en zij werden dronken met hem.
E Giuseppe fe’ loro portare delle vivande che aveva dinanzi; ma la porzione di Beniamino era cinque volte maggiore di quella d’ogni altro di loro. E bevvero, e stettero allegri con lui.
I biorąc potrawy przed sobą dawał im; a dostała się pięć kroć większa część Benjaminowi nad inne części onych wszystkich; i pili, a podpili sobie z nim.
И посылались им кушанья от него, и доля Вениамина была впятеро больше долей каждого из них. И пили, и довольно пили они с ним.
約瑟把 他面前 的食物 分出來，送給他們；但便雅憫 所得的 比 別人 多五 倍。他們就飲酒，和約瑟 一同宴樂。
And Joseph sent food to them from his table, but he sent five times as much to Benjamin as to any of the others. And they took wine freely with him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 43:34
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Joseph's gesture of giving Benjamin a portion five times larger than the others was a deliberate mark of honor for his full brother. Gill, Keil, and Lange see it as a test, a replay of the coat of many colors, to see if the brothers still harbor jealousy. The fact that the chapter ends with them drinking and being merry shows that the brothers pass the test; their hearts have changed. On the drinking, Jamieson, Gill, and the Cambridge Bible note that the Hebrew "drank and were merry" (drinking abundantly) does not imply intoxication but festive cheer and relief from anxiety. The phrase "with him" signals reconciliation: they are at peace with Joseph and with one another.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Joseph deliberately honored Benjamin with a larger portion, and the meal ended in joyful fellowship.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Test of Jealousy | Joseph gave Benjamin a much larger portion to honor him. | Some commentators (Gill, Keil, Lange) argue this was a deliberate test to see if the brothers still envied a favored younger brother, as they did Joseph. Others (Clarke, Matthew Henry) focus on the outward honor shown to Benjamin without emphasizing a test. |
| Intoxication vs. Festive Joy | The brothers drank freely and were cheerful. | The Hebrew verb shakar can mean 'become drunk,' and the LXX/Vulgate use that sense. But the Cambridge Bible and Jamieson argue it means 'drank largely' in a celebratory way, not excess. The context of reconciliation suggests moderate merriment. |
| Significance of the Number Five | Five was a common Egyptian number, appearing in Joseph's administration (Gen 41:34, 47:24). | Some propose a link to the five Egyptian planets; others simply note it as a natural counting preference (five fingers). The text does not explain the symbolism. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Egypt, meals were often served by the host sending portions to each guest. As Sir John Chardin observed in Persia, Arabia, and India, the host distributed dishes to individuals, with the size of the portion marking the guest's honor. Gill and the Cambridge Bible explain that the Hebrew phrase "five hands" (Gen 43:34) refers to a measure, five times the usual portion, not literally five handbreadths of food. The number five appears frequently in Egyptian contexts: Genesis 41:34, 45:22, 47:2, 47:24, and Isaiah 19:18. Some connect it to the five Egyptian planets; others note that counting on fingers made five a natural favorite.
Three separate tables were set (Gen 43:32): one for Joseph, one for his brothers, and one for the Egyptians who ate with him. This was required because Egyptians considered it an abomination to eat with Hebrews (Gen 43:32). Herodotus (2.41) reports that Egyptians would not use a Greek knife or cooking pot, as animals sacred to them were slaughtered by foreigners. Joseph's separate table also reflected his priestly rank in the Egyptian caste system (Lange).
The seating arrangement amazed the brothers: they were placed in order of age (firstborn to youngest, Gen 43:33). This supernatural knowledge heightened their wonder and prepared them for the honor Joseph was about to bestow on Benjamin.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The wording is stable across Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions.
Reception History
Throughout history, this verse has been read as a pivotal step in the reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. Early Jewish interpreters (e.g., Josephus) highlighted the brothers' changed demeanor. Christian commentators have seen Joseph as a type of Christ who tests and then restores his followers. Many note that the festive meal prefigures the messianic banquet where former enemies sit together in joy. The verse is often cited in discussions on forgiveness: the willingness to celebrate the honor of one who was once wronged. Matthew Henry (1710) remarked that the brothers' cheerful feasting showed their cares were overcome.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- A Repeat of the Test: Joseph gives Benjamin a five-times larger portion, just as their father gave Joseph the coat of many colors. Will the brothers envy Benjamin?
- The Brothers' Changed Hearts: They do not react with jealousy. Instead they drink and are merry, showing their repentance is real.
- Joyful Reconciliation: The meal ends with them “drinking abundantly” with Joseph, a picture of forgiveness and restored fellowship.
Five-Point Outline
- The Setting of Honor: Cultural custom of sending portions from the host; Benjamin gets a uniquely large portion.
- The Test of Envy: Joseph deliberately highlights Benjamin to see if the old hatred remains.
- The Absence of Rivalry: The brothers accept the favor without resentment, a contrast to Genesis 37.
- The Meaning of “Merry”: Their drinking is festive but not drunken; it expresses relief and joy.
- The Place of God's Providence: Joseph's plan succeeds, and the family moves toward restoration.
Illustration Hooks
- Family favoritism today: When a parent gives a child a larger gift at Christmas, siblings may react with jealousy. This verse asks: have you forgiven past wrongs enough to celebrate another's honor?
- A workplace promotion: A coworker receives a bigger bonus or a better office. You can either resent or rejoice. The brothers here show the latter.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why does God allow tests like this in relationships?
- How do I know if I’ve truly forgiven someone?
- What does it look like to feast with joy when my past sins are behind me?
Leading a Discussion
This scene recasts the old wound of favoritism. Joseph gives Benjamin a five-times larger portion, a clear echo of his own coat of many colors. The brothers' response reveals whether their hearts have truly changed. Use these questions to help your group explore the relationship between forgiveness, testing, and restored joy.
Discussion Questions
- Read Genesis 37:3-4 and note the difference between the coat and the larger portion. Why is Benjamin the target this time?
- How does Joseph's gesture test the brothers? What would envy or resentment have looked like?
- Why do you think the brothers pass the test? What has changed in them since Genesis 37? (See Gen 44:18-34 for Judah's speech.)
- The Hebrew for “drank and were merry” (vayishkeru) can mean “became drunk.” How do we decide whether it implies intoxication or festive joy? (See Hag 1:6, Song 5:1.)
- Joseph weeps before the meal (vv30-31) but now feasts with his brothers. What does this tell us about the process of reconciliation?
- What role does God's hidden hand play in this story? Where do you see providence at work?
- How can we celebrate another person's blessing without jealousy? What practical steps help guard our hearts?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 45:22 | He gave each one of them changes of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. |
| I Samuel 1:5 | but he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had shut up her womb. |
| I Samuel 9:22 | Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. |
| I Samuel 9:24 | The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. |
| II Samuel 11:8 | David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and a gift from the king was sent after him. |
| Proverbs 31:6 | Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul. |
| Ecclesiastes 9:7 | Go your way—eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works. |
| Ecclesiastes 10:19 | A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke draws on Eastern customs described by Sir John Chardin to explain that Benjamin's five-fold portion was a deliberate honor, not an arbitrary act. He then observes that even in Canaan's scarcity, God still provided honey, nuts, and almonds, showing mercy alongside judgment.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary explains that Joseph’s brothers received five portions because the number five likely reflects a natural preference rooted in counting on fingers, rather than any mystical significance tied to Egyptian planets. It further clarifies that the phrase "were merry" describes their festive spirit and abundance of food, not literal intoxication as some ancient translations suggest.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva editors highlight how Joseph’s favoritism toward Benjamin is made visible through the unequal distribution of food portions. By giving Benjamin five times more meat than his brothers, the text underscores a deliberate act of preferential treatment that deepens the family’s existing tensions and foreshadows future conflict.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the ancient custom of a host sending portions from his own table to guests, making Joseph's gesture culturally significant. Benjamin's fivefold portion was not about excess but a deliberate honor, showing Joseph's deep affection while perhaps testing whether his brothers' envy would stir again.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB explains that Joseph's five-fold portion for Benjamin signified an extraordinary honor in Egyptian custom, where even a double portion was considered respectful. The phrase "drank freely" implies joyful festivity, not drunkenness, as their earlier anxieties dissolved into ease.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch emphasize that Joseph's favoritism toward Benjamin, giving him a fivefold portion, was a calculated test. He wanted to see whether his brothers would envy and hate Benjamin as they had hated him years earlier, thereby revealing whether their hearts had truly changed.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads the brothers' journey as a moral trial proving their repentance, especially toward Benjamin. Judah's offer to substitute himself for Benjamin shows his self-sacrifice, causing Joseph to reveal himself. The story highlights God's providence turning their evil deed into a means of preserving life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry points out that Joseph's brothers bowing before him is a continued fulfillment of the dreams Joseph had years earlier. Even their father Jacob, through his sons' words and actions, pays homage to Joseph, just as the dream foretold.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley observes that the brothers’ sudden cheerfulness signals their relief at believing they had secured favor with Joseph. He sees this shift as evidence that God accepts their offerings, turning anxiety into joy when divine approval is perceived. The text links their merriment directly to the conviction that their gifts were well received by the ruler.