And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
They sat in front of him, with the oldest brother seated according to his position as firstborn, and the youngest in his place as the baby of the family. The men looked at each other in amazement.
The writer is describing how Joseph's brothers were amazed when they were seated in perfect birth order at his table, not knowing he was their brother who arranged it that way.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers and risen to power in Egypt, is now hosting his brothers who have come to buy food during a famine. He seats them at the table in order of their birth, from oldest to youngest, which amazes them because they don't understand how he knows their ages. This moment builds suspense in the story as Joseph tests his brothers' character.
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