And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
After Joseph came home, his brothers presented the gift sent in their father's name and bowed themselves to the earth before him. He first asked them about their own welfare. He then asked about the elderly father they had told him about, Jacob, whether he was well and still alive. The question showed his continuing care for his family while he still concealed his identity, and his concern for his aged father whom he had not seen since their separation. The brothers answered that his servant their father was in good health and still alive, and they bowed down their heads and made obeisance, and this exchange came just before Joseph lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son.
After Joseph came home, his brothers presented the gift sent in their father's name and bowed themselves to the earth before him. He first asked them about their own welfare. He then asked about the elderly father they had told him about, Jacob, whether he was well and still alive. The question showed his continuing care for his family while he still concealed his identity, and his concern for his aged father whom he had not seen since their separation. The brothers answered that his servant their father was in good health and still alive, and they bowed down their heads and made obeisance, and this exchange came just before Joseph lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son.