Genesis 42:9-16

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

Ye are spies, х mªragªliym (H7270)] - ye are footing it; ye are traversing the country. The Egyptians, like Orientals generally, are not accustomed to walk much, and consequently suspect that travelers have some concealed object in view. This is a suspicion entertained regarding strangers in all Eastern countries down to the present day. Joseph, however, who was well aware that his brethren were not spies, has been charged with cruel dissimulation-with a deliberate violation of what he knew to be the truth-in imputing to them such a character. But it must be remembered that he was sustaining the part of a ruler, and, in fact, acting on the very principle sanctioned by many of the sacred writers, and our Lord himself, who spoke parables (fictitious stories) to promote a good end.

To see the nakedness of the land are ye come - i:e., the exposed, unfortified, and easily accessible part of the country. 'Under the circumstances of the lower empire, in the reign of the Hyk-Shos, "nakedness" was a designation appropriate at this time to considerable portions of the northeastern border of the Delta. In the absence, then as now, of the energy needful to keep it under cultivation-whether this arose from the smallness of the population or its feebleness, or, more probably, from the need to employ a considerable force to protect the frontiers on the south against the native race-this part of the Delta was only partially cultivated' (Drew's 'Scripture Lands,' p. 27).

Verse 11. We are true men - in opposition to false deceivers. This word, "true," however, is frequently placed by old writers in opposition to 'thief' (Steven's 'Shakespeare,' vol. 2: p. 113).

Verse 13. The youngest, х haqaaTon (H6996); Septuagint, ho (G3588) neooteros (G3501)] - (cf. Genesis 42:20; Genesis 42:23; Genesis 42:26.) Gesenius considers it here a superlative, minimus natu.

One is not. This primitive expression denotes a dead person as being cut off from the land of the living, and excluded from all further concern in the things of this world.

Verse 15. By the life of Pharaoh. It is a very common practice in Western Asia to swear by the life of the king. Joseph spoke in the style of an Egyptian, and perhaps did not think there was any evil in it. But we are taught to regard all such expressions in the light of an oath (Matthew 5:34; James 5:12).