And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,
At the door or entrance of Joseph's house, the brothers came near to his household steward to speak with him. They explained that they had found money in their sacks and had brought it back, along with additional money to buy more food. They declared that they did not know who had put the money in their sacks.
They spoke from fear of being accused of wrongdoing over the money. They feared that Joseph himself would accuse them of wrongdoing because of the money. They feared the money would be used to make them slaves. By their words they were trying to prove their innocence and gain the steward's confidence.
At the door or entrance of Joseph's house, the brothers came near to his household steward to speak with him. They explained that they had found money in their sacks and had brought it back, along with additional money to buy more food. They declared that they did not know who had put the money in their sacks.
They spoke from fear of being accused of wrongdoing over the money. They feared that Joseph himself would accuse them of wrongdoing because of the money. They feared the money would be used to make them slaves. By their words they were trying to prove their innocence and gain the steward's confidence.
The steward's reassuring answer eased their fear.