If you be peaceable men, let one of your brethren be bound in prison: and go ye your ways, and carry the corn that you have bought, unto your houses.
אִם־כֵּנִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם אֲחִיכֶ֣ם אֶחָ֔ד יֵאָסֵ֖ר בְּבֵ֣ית מִשְׁמַרְכֶ֑ם וְאַתֶּם֙ לְכ֣וּ הָבִ֔יאוּ שֶׁ֖בֶר רַעֲב֥וֹן בָּתֵּיכֶֽם׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Observe the wisdom displayed. In his desire to assist them, address their father's needs, and uncover the true circumstances regarding his brother, he commanded that one of the brothers be held back while permitting the others to go back home.
Gather the wheat and hasten to your father, provided you are speaking sincerely, and bring your beloved brother to me. Only then will I have faith in your words.
A certain brother among you will remain confined in your prison. After making his brothers aware of the weight of his stern judgment, Joseph eases his decree, likely to spare his father from profound sorrow.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS