12:57-58

12:57-58

12:57

But verily the reward of the Hereafter is the best, for those who believe, and are constant in righteousness.

12:58

Then came Joseph’s brethren: they entered his presence,

and he knew them, but they knew him not.

According to the narrative, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt during a period of famine that had affected not only Egypt but also the surrounding region of Canaan (cf. Genesis 42:1–8). In response to the widespread scarcity, they sought to obtain grain from the reserves that had been stored during the preceding years of agricultural abundance in Egypt (see Qur’an 12:47–49; B; Kl).

When the brothers arrived in Egypt, they did not recognize Joseph. A considerable amount of time had passed since their last encounter, which had occurred when they had cast him into the well many years earlier. In addition to the passage of time, Joseph now appeared before them in the attire and authority of an Egyptian official. His distinguished position and the formal context in which they met him likely contributed to their inability to recognize him as their brother, whom they believed had long since perished after the incident of the well (B; cf. Qur’an 12:15).

References:

Nasr,    Hossein           (2015). Study Quran.