1._And the famine was sore in the land_. In this chapter is recorded
the second journey of the sons of Jacob into Egypt, when the former
supply of provision had been exhausted. It may, however, here be
asked, how Jacob could have supported his family, even for a few days,
with so small a quantity of... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And Judah spake unto him, saying_. Judah seems to feign something,
for the purpose of extorting from his father what he knew he would not
freely grant; but it is probable that many discourses had been held on
both sides, which Moses, according to his custom, has not related. And
since Joseph so a... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Take of the best fruits _(167) Though the fruits which Moses
enumerates were, for the most part, not very precious, because the
condition of holy Jacob was not such that he could send any royal
present; yet, according to his slender ability, he wished to appease
Joseph. Besides we know that frui... [ Continue Reading ]
14._If I be bereaved_. Jacob may seem here to be hardly consistent
with himself; for, if the prayer which Moses has just related, was the
effect of faith, he ought to have been more calm; and, at least, to
have given occasion to the manifestation of the grace of God. But he
appears to cut himself of... [ Continue Reading ]
16._And he said to the ruler of his house_. Here we perceive the
fraternal disposition of Joseph; though it is uncertain whether he was
perfectly reconciled, as I will shortly show, in its proper place. If,
however, remembering the injury, he loved his brethren less than
before, he was still far fro... [ Continue Reading ]
23._Peace be to you_. Because שלום (_shalom_,) among the Hebrews,
signifies not only peace, but any prosperous and desirable condition,
as well as any joyful event, this passage may be expounded in two
ways: either that the ruler of Joseph’s house commands them to be of
a peaceful and secure mind; o... [ Continue Reading ]
25._Against Joseph came at noon-day_. It is doubtful whether this was
the ordinary hour of dining among the Egyptians, or whether Joseph, on
that day, sat down earlier than he was accustomed to do, on account of
his guests. It is, however, most likely that the usual custom of
dining was observed. Al... [ Continue Reading ]
32._Because the Egyptians might not eat, etc _(169) Moses says they
might not eat with the Hebrews, because they abhorred it, as being
unlawful. For seeing that their religion forbade it, they were so
bound, that they could not do what they did not dare to do. This
passage teaches us how great was t... [ Continue Reading ]
33._The first-born according to his birthright _(170) Although of the
sons of Jacob four were born of bond-women; yet, since they were the
elder, they had precedence of their younger brethren, who had
descended from free-born mothers; whence it appears that they had been
accustomed by their father t... [ Continue Reading ]