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Chapter 42 records the judgment of the 10 sons of Jacob, those who were responsible for selling Joseph into slavery. The famine extended into Canaan, and Jacob sent those 10 sons into Egypt to get grain. By now, Joseph was firmly entrenched as Governor of Egypt. When the sons arrived, they came before Joseph. Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him. When they came into the presence of Joseph, they bowed down, as was indicated in one of Joseph's dreams that the brothers did not like when they were told about it years before.
By now Joseph's name has been changed to Zaphnathpaaneah and he speaks the Egyptian tongue. Even though he had not forgotten his native tongue, he speaks through a translator. They, his brothers, not knowing that he speaks Hebrew, speak freely in front of him of the regret that they have for having sold their brother into slavery.
It's a long story but basically Joseph had a plan that would teach his brothers a lesson and at the same time meet their needs. He allows 9 of the brothers to return home with the grain that they had purchased but he keeps Simeon to assure that they will return as they have promised with their youngest brother, Benjamin. Unknown to them, Joseph has the money used to purchase the grain placed back into the bags of grain. They return home and when they tell their father the terms that they had agreed to, he was bereaved. To Jacob, Joseph was dead, Simeon was in prison in Egypt, and now they wanted to take his youngest son Benjamin.
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