Genesis 42:4

mischief See Genesis 42:38. Jacob dares not part with Benjamin, for whom, both as his youngest child and as the surviving son of Rachel, he has special affection. On this trait the whole narrative turns, cf. Genesis 42:38; Genesis 44:20; Genesis 44:30-31.

5 (? J). And the sons of Israel, &c. "Sons of Israel," cf. Genesis 45:21; Genesis 46:5. The verse reads like the commencement of a new section; while the words "for the famine, &c." are not necessary after Genesis 42:1. The change from the name of "Jacob" (Genesis 42:1) to that of "Israel" is another indication that this verse is drawn from a different source of narrative from Genesis 42:1.