”From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Genesis 42:6-8
- MATURITY: Joseph has been away for over ten years. He departed them as a late teen and now is in his late twenties. Joseph acted more like a man. Maybe his voice had changed from teenager to adult male.
- APPEARANCE: Joseph lived through slavery, prison, then experienced the finest in Egyptian lifestyle, now dressed in the best clothes, after sitting in the Egyptian sun. Egyptians were also clean shaven (41:14) while shepherds looked scraggily. Joseph's looks had changed.
- EXPECTATION: They were not expecting to see Joseph at all. They were convinced he was dead.
- DISTANCE: As a ruler, the subjects kept their distance from the one in charge. You didn’t walk up to a ruler and shake hands. From fifteen feet away, he couldn’t get a good look at his face.
- PREJUDICE: Genesis 43:32 said that Egyptians thought that eating with Hebrews was detestable. Because of this kind of prejudice, there was a separation between the cultures.
- LANGUAGE: Joseph spoke Egyptian and used a translator (42:23). Maybe he had acquired an accent, so he didn’t sound like the old Joseph.