Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 42:6

"And Joseph was the governor over the land; he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph`s brethren came, and bowed down themselves to him with their faces to the earth." — Genesis 42:6 (ASV)

Joseph’s brethren came and bowed down themselves before him. —Throughout the land of Egypt Joseph would sell through a deputy, and only give general directions; but the arrival of so large a party as Joseph’s ten brothers, each probably with several attendants, would be reported to the governor in person, as certainly was the case with Abraham when he went into Egypt (Genesis 12:14–15). Such visits would happen only occasionally, and the arrival of foreigners was always a matter looked upon with suspicion, especially on the Arabian frontier.