Genesis 42:18-24

Joseph’s profession of faith in God (Elohim) told his brothers that he realized he was under divine authority and therefore would be fair with them. His test guaranteed Benjamin’s safe passage to Egypt, something Joseph had every reason to worry about in view of his brothers’ treatment of himself. Earlier, when he saw only 10 brothers and not Benjamin, he probably wondered if the 10 had already done away with Benjamin.

The brothers saw divine retribution in what had happened to them (Genesis 42:21-23). The brothers confessed their guilt in dealing with Joseph as they had done in his hearing. However, Joseph wanted to assure himself that they had also borne the fruits of genuine repentance (i.e., taken a different course of action with Benjamin and Jacob). Therefore he did not reveal himself to them at this time. Joseph’s heart had not become hard toward his brothers because of their treatment of him. He did not hate them (Genesis 42:24).

"There is nothing more striking in the character of Joseph than the utter absence of revengeful feeling, whether it was against his brothers, or against Potiphar, or against the chief butler." [Note: Thomas, p. 407.]

Rather his heart remained tender, and his brothers’ confession moved him. Reuben as the eldest and most responsible son would have been the logical choice to retain as a hostage. Yet because Joseph had overheard that Reuben had talked his brothers out of killing Joseph (Genesis 42:22), Joseph passed him over and selected Simeon, who was the next oldest. Perhaps Joseph also remembered Simeon’s cruelty and callousness toward his father (Genesis 34:25; cf. Genesis 49:5-7).