Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them: that is, “When Joseph saw his brothers, he knew who they were [recognized them as being his brothers].”

Treated them like strangers is literally “made himself a stranger to them.” We may also translate, for example, “but he did not make himself known to them” or “did not let them know who he was.” See Good News Translation. We must remember that Joseph is now an Egyptian in dress, customs, and language. According to verse 23 he speaks to his brothers through an interpreter.

Spoke roughly to them: this is literally “spoke harsh things to them.” In some languages this is rendered “He spoke to them with hard words” or “He laid his tongue heavily on them.”

In the encounter between Joseph the ruler and his herdsmen brothers, it will be necessary to adjust the form of address in many languages that use honorific terms when speaking to a high official.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .