KJV ORIGINAL
And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
But he said to them, 'No! You have come here to spy on our country and find out where we are vulnerable.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Joseph is accusing his brothers of being spies who came to Egypt to discover the nation's weak spots and defenses.
📚 Historical Context
Joseph, now a powerful Egyptian official, is speaking to his ten brothers who have come to Egypt to buy grain during a severe famine. He recognizes them but they don't recognize him, and he's testing them by accusing them of espionage. In ancient times, 'seeing the nakedness of the land' was a common expression meaning to spy out a country's vulnerabilities and undefended areas.
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