בראשית, פרק מ״ב, פסוק כ״ד

Torn between his natural compassion and the necessity of maintaining his disguise to fulfill his prophetic dreams, Joseph reaches an emotional breaking point upon hearing his brothers confess to the sin of selling him. To hide his tears, he steps away from them [רש״י, מזרחי, ביאור יש״ר, שטיינזלץ]. While some commentators suggest his weeping stems from a profound pity upon witnessing their current distress [ספורנו, העמק דבר, יריעות שלמה], the primary approach among commentators is that his tears are triggered specifically by their sincere remorse. Had he been moved solely by their suffering, he would have wept earlier when he first imprisoned them; it is their genuine confession that ultimately awakens his deep mercy [רש״י, רד״ק, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, קונטרס חיבה יתירה]. Despite a fierce desire to reveal his true identity, he restrains himself, knowing that his dreams must be fully realized before the truth can be exposed [העמק דבר].

Regaining his composure, Joseph returns to the brothers, once again donning the persona of the harsh Egyptian ruler [צרור המור, שטיינזלץ]. He demands that they select one among them to remain behind in captivity. However, the brothers refuse to volunteer one of their own, adhering to the principle that an Israelite must never be handed over to captivity or death unless explicitly named by the ruling authority [רבנו בחיי, מלבי״ם, העמק דבר]. Faced with their refusal, Joseph is forced to act personally and selects Simeon.

The choice of Simeon is driven by three primary considerations. First, it serves as an act of exact retribution. As the primary instigator of the plot against Joseph and the one who physically threw him into the pit, Simeon is repaid in kind [רש״י, רד״ק, ברטנורא, ברכת אשר, צאינה וראינה]. Second, there is a strategic security concern. Recognizing the destructive and dangerous power Simeon and Levi wielded together—as demonstrated in their earlier attack on Shechem—Joseph seeks to separate them to prevent any potential conspiracy or violent uprising against him [רשב״ם, רש״י, רבנו בחיי, צאינה וראינה]. Finally, the selection follows the natural order of birthright. As the eldest, Reuben would typically bear the responsibility for his younger siblings' actions. However, having just heard that Reuben actually attempted to save him, Joseph bypasses him and targets the next oldest, Simeon, who failed to protest the brothers' plot [שד״ל, הטור הארוך, ביאור יש״ר].

The actual binding of Simeon is a highly dramatic event. Midrashic tradition describes how Joseph initially mobilizes seventy of the Pharaoh's warriors to secure him, but Simeon unleashes a terrifying shout that knocks the soldiers to the ground in fear. Ultimately, it is Joseph’s son Manasseh, acting as the interpreter, who steps forward to strike and bind Simeon [פרדס יוסף, אלשיך]. Joseph ensures this imprisonment occurs directly in front of the brothers as another measure of exact retribution. Just as they once stood by and watched Joseph plead for his life without intervening, they are now forced to watch their brother be bound, entirely powerless to help him [העמק דבר, הכתב והקבלה]. Nevertheless, this harsh treatment is merely a theatrical display for the brothers' benefit. As soon as they depart, Joseph immediately releases Simeon from the dungeon, providing him with food, drink, bathing, and anointing oil, treating him with the utmost dignity and respect [רד״ק, מזרחי, רש״י, ביאור יש״ר].