Genesis 42:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He could no longer restrain himself, as his compassionate and fraternal heart betrayed him. ‘And he went away from them,’ to avoid revealing his emotions before them, ‘and wept.’ ‘Then he returned to them and spoke.’ He then took Simeon from their midst and bound him in their sight. Observe how he orchestrates this situation to instill fear in them, so that they might reveal their true feelings about their brother when they witness Simeon’s confinement. All his actions serve as a means to test their hearts, as he longs to understand if they will treat Benjamin with the same indifference as they did him. Thus, he commands Simeon to be bound before them to fully assess whether they will demonstrate any affection toward him. In their distress over Simeon, they must hasten to bring Benjamin to him, which Joseph desires, hoping this reunion will bring him complete satisfaction.

Joseph contemplated his dreams and recalled that in one vision, his brothers had bowed to him on two occasions, first as sons and then as stars. From this, he inferred that when his brothers would once again bow before him, it would signal the moment for him to unveil his true identity. Consequently, he took Simeon and placed him in confinement with the other brothers to discern what they had conveyed to their father regarding Joseph’s disappearance. He recognized that Simeon’s children and his wife would likely persuade Jacob to send Benjamin to him quickly. Alternatively, it is possible that Simeon was particularly harsh towards Joseph at the time their brothers bound him and sold him.

Joseph chose to imprison the second brother instead of the first (Gen. 42:24) because he was aware of Reuben's intentions and recognized the efforts Reuben had made to defend him among their siblings. Since Simeon did not assist Reuben, Joseph justly decided to confine him, while bestowing kindness upon Reuben after the brothers departed. During this time, the brothers were troubled by their conscience, which brought to light the wrong they had done to their brother. It is recorded: ‘And every one shall say unto his brother, Behold, we are in sins for our brother's sake, because we despised the affliction of his soul, when he prayed unto us, and did not hearken unto him: and for this cause this affliction cometh upon us’ (Genesis 42:21).

Upon hearing his family speak of his brother and feeling a strong desire to reunite, Joseph declared, ‘This will serve as proof that you are not spies: your younger brother must accompany you here.’ He then took Simeon from their midst, bound him in their presence, and sent him to prison. It is important to note that our younger brother, Benjamin, whom our Joseph-Christ requests, corresponds to Paul, previously known as Saul, who himself identifies as being from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil. 3:5) and refers to himself as the least of the apostles (1 Cor. 15:9). In Simeon, we can see a reflection of Peter, who was constrained by the shackles of his triple denial; fear had him bound, yet love ultimately liberated him (cf. John 18:17, 25-27; John 21:7-19).

Joseph's compassionate heart was deeply affected by his brothers' words. After briefly stepping away, he alleviated his troubled spirit by shedding tears. Upon returning, he selected Simeon from amongst them and commanded that chains be placed upon him in their sight. Every action of the astute Joseph holds purpose. Although Scripture does not clarify why the chains were designated for the impulsive Simeon rather than another brother, it is clear from the text that he required a harsher admonition. While all ten brothers committed significant wrongs, Simeon was guilty of the grievous act of murdering the Shechemites (Gen. 34), endangering the entire family of the revered patriarch, who were ultimately preserved through the extraordinary intervention of divine Providence. And had he not also contemplated committing an even greater crime?

He seized Simeon from their midst and bound him in their presence. Josephus does not mention Reuben, considering him less culpable; however, he places the full burden of the tragedy upon Simeon, recognizing him as more blameworthy than the rest. Being the eldest after the firstborn, Simeon had the opportunity, through his authority, to prevent the others from committing the wrongdoing, yet he chose not to intervene. Analyzing his traits, as demonstrated by his actions with the Shechemites, alongside Jacob's stern reaction (Gen. 49:5-7), we might speculate that he was perhaps the initial catalyst for Joseph's plight.