THE SECOND VISIT OF THE BROTHERS - JOSEPH MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN (GENESIS 43:1 TO GENESIS 45:28) The Brothers Again Meet the Egyptian Vizier (Genesis 43:1) Genesis 43:1 ‘And the famine was sore in the land. And it happened that when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Judah spoke to him, saying, “The Man did solemnly declare to us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face except your brother be with you.' If you will send our brother with us we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him we will not go down, for the Man said to us, ‘You shall not s... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly as to tell the Man whether you had yet a brother?” And they said, “The Man asked us firmly (literally - ‘asked us asking') about ourselves and about our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father yet alive? Have you a brother?' And we told him according to th... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be surety for him. At my hand you will require him. If I do not bring him to you and set him before you I will have sinned against you... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And their father Israel said to them, “If it is so now, do it. Take of the choice fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry the Man down a present, a little balm and a little honey, spicery and myrrh, nuts and almonds. And take double the amount of silver in your hand, and carry again in your h... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the men took that present, and they took double silver in their hand, and Benjamin, and rose up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.' They took what was necessary, the present, the double silver --- and Benjamin, the one whose value had delayed things for so long. The long and fearf... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and kill and make ready, for the men will dine with me at noon.” And the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house, and they said, “We have been brought in because of the s... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house and they spoke to him at the door of the house.' Coming up to the great house they are filled with fear and as they approach the door they catch up with the steward and try to speak up on their own behalf, probably through an interpreter.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And said, “Oh my lord. We did indeed come down at the first time to buy food, and it happened that as we came to the lodging place that we opened our sacks and behold every man's silver was in the mouth of his sack, our silver in full weight. And we have brought it again in our hand. And we have br... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he said, “Peace be to you. Don't be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” And he brought Simeon out to them.' The reply suggests that the steward has been well coached by Joseph. He has been told exactly what to say when the obviou... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. And he gave their asses provender. And they made ready the present for when Joseph came at noon, for they learned that they would eat bread there.' Suddenly, to their bewilderment, everything has chang... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when Joseph came home they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house and bowed themselves down to him to the earth.' On Joseph's arrival they bring their present and present it, bowing down to the ground, for they are still greatly in awe of him and aware that the slightes... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” ' The question, put through an interpreter, would be recognised as simply a formal courtesy. They could not know with what eagerness Joseph awaited their reply. It has now been so... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they said, “Your servant, our father, is well, he is still alive.” And they bowed the head and made obeisance.' The writer is stressing the fulfilment of the dreams. As they give a positive but deferential reply they again make full obeisance.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he lifted up his eyes and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” The writer is deliberately prolonging the welcome. He wants us to feel what Joseph felt. He is seeing his own... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Joseph acted hurriedly, for his heart was filled with longing for his brother, and he wanted somewhere to weep, and he entered his private room and wept there. And he washed his face, and came out, and he restrained himself and said, “Serve the food.” ' The brothers are totally unaware of his... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with them by themselves, because the Egyptians are not allowed to eat bread with Hebrews, for that is an abomination to them.' Joseph, as vizier and lord of Egypt eats at his own table. None may share wit... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth. And the men marvelled with one another.' They were no doubt informed that they must follow protocol and sit in order of seniority, the firstborn probably being nearest to the great lord's t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he took and sent portions to them from before him. But Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.' To receive a portion from the great lord's table was a sign of favour and a great privilege. And Benjamin received five times more than th... [ Continue Reading ]