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Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

Genesis 44

Genesis 44:1

GENESIS CHAPTER 44 Joseph commands his steward to fill their sacks, restore every man's money, and put his silver cup into Benjamin's sack; sends them away, GENESIS 44:1; thereby contriving to bring them back again: they are pursued, and charged with theft, GENESIS 44:4; whereat, being greatly perpl... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:2

It seems to have been a large cup, and of great price, and much used by Joseph. IN THE SACK'S MOUTH OF THE YOUNGEST, with design to discover their intentions and affections towards Benjamin, whether they did envy him, and would desert him in his danger, as they did Joseph; or would cleave to him; th... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:5

Amongst the several kinds of divination in use among the Egyptians and other heathens, this was one, to do it by a cup or bason, which they filled with water, and put in them plates of silver, or precious stones, in which certain characters were engraven, by which, and some words they used, they cal... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:8

It is not probable that we who restored that which was in our power to keep, and to conceal without any danger, should steal that which was likely to be discovered with so much shame and hazard to ourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:9

This overdaring offer proceeded from hence, that they were all conscious of their own innocency, and did not suspect any fraud or artifice in the matter.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:10

Thus he moderates the conditions which they proposed, exempting the innocent, and exchanging the deserved and offered death of the nocent into slavery.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:12

BEGAN AT THE ELDEST, to take off all their suspicion of his fraud. THE CUP WAS FOUND IN BENJAMIN'S SACK. He found doubtless the money there, but he accused them not about that matter, both because they had an answer ready to that charge from his own mouth, GENESIS 43:23, and because the greater crim... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:13

Being afraid and ashamed to go to their father without Benjamin, concerning whom they had received so severe a charge, and made such solemn promises and imprecations.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:16

JUDAH speaks in the cause, as being one of the eldest, and a person of most gravity and discretion, and readiness of speech, and most eminently concerned for his brother. GOD HATH FOUND OUT THE INIQUITY, viz. this iniquity, of which it seems some of us are guilty, and God hath discovered it. Or _ini... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:18

JUDAH made a little nearer approach to him, that he might present his humble petition to him. IN MY LORD'S EARS, in thy hearing; for this phrase doth not necessarily imply that he whispered in his ears; as appears from NUMBERS 14:28 DEUTERONOMY 32:44 JUDGES 17:2. THOU ART EVEN AS PHARAOH; as thou re... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:20

A LITTLE ONE; so they call him comparatively to themselves, who were much elder; and withal, to signify the reason why he came, not with them, because he was young and tender, and unfit for such a journey.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:21

i.e. See him with my own eyes, and thereby be satisfied of the truth of what you say. Compare GENESIS 42:15,16. Elsewhere this phrase signifies to _show favour_ to a person, as JEREMIAH 39:12, JEREMIAH 40:4. But though that was Joseph's intention, as yet he was minded to conceal it from them.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:23

QUEST. Why would Joseph expose his father to the hazard of his life, in parting with his dear child? ANSW. Joseph supposed that to be but a pretence, and might fear lest his brethren had disposed of Benjamin as they did of him, and therefore could not bring him forth. And as for his father, the expe... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:27

He calleth her MY WIFE, by way of eminency, as GENESIS 46:19, because she only was his wife by design and choice, whereas Leah was put upon him by fraud, and might have been refused by him, if he had so pleased; and the other two were given to him by Rachel and Leah.... [ Continue Reading ]

Genesis 44:33

Partly in compassion to our aged father, and partly for thy own advantage; because I can be more serviceable to thee than he, because of my greater strength and experience.... [ Continue Reading ]

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