We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
We are twelve brothers, all sons of the same father. One of our brothers is no longer with us, and our youngest brother is at home with our father in the land of Canaan.
The brothers are explaining to Joseph (who they don't recognize) that they have twelve brothers total - one is missing, one is back home, and the rest are standing there together.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Joseph had been sold into slavery by his brothers and later rose to a position of power in Egypt during a severe famine that affected the region. When his brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain, they spoke to him without recognizing him and described their family to explain themselves. This verse specifically records their statement about having twelve brothers, with one presumed dead and the youngest still at home in Canaan with their father.
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