The answer is: Simeon

Gen 42:24

In the story of Joseph, as the favored son who faced a rollercoaster of life events—from being sold into slavery by his brothers to rising to power in Egypt—we delve deeper when examining the dynamics between him and his forebears. Joseph's decision to imprison Simeon reveals a mixture of strategy and stress, acting both as a way to ensure his brothers' return and to protect his own identity.

Interestingly, Simeon, along with Levi, was known for their fierce and often impulsive nature—character traits that led to fierce actions in the past (such as their violent reaction against Shechem in Genesis 34). By holding Simeon hostage while releasing the others, Joseph essentially invites a change in his brothers, forcing them to confront guilt and encourage them to assess their family relationships—an early form of transformational learning that's as relevant today as it was then.

This incident mirrors the idea found in the Old Testament of rendering justice and the complexities of brotherly bonds. The prison imagery could even evoke reflections on the many times family dynamics test our loyalty and raise questions about forgiveness, choice, and, ultimately, redemption. Joseph's actions represent a pivotal moment of accountability: when the brothers must face both their past actions and the consequences of their decisions in relationships. This shapes their journey, much like ours shapes our own with the many interconnected stories we each carry.