_A.M. 2297. B.C. 1707._ Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on. (1,) _ Their melancholy parting with their father Jacob, in Canaan, Genesis 43:1._ (2,) _ Their meeting with Joseph in Egypt, Genesis 43:15._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judah said unto his father_ He, on account of his age, prudence, and penitent carriage for his youthful follies, was much beloved and regarded by his father, and, on this occasion, was likely to have the greatest influence in persuading him. _Send the lad with me_ So he terms him, because he was th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let me bear the blame for ever_ Hebrew, _Be an offender to thee:_ let me bear the guilt, and shame, and punishment due to so great an offender Judah's conscience had lately smitten him for what he had done a great while ago against Joseph; and as an evidence of the truth of his repentance, he is re... [ Continue Reading ]
_If it must be so now, take your brother_ If no corn can be had but upon those terms, as good expose him to the perils of the journey, as suffer ourselves and families, and Benjamin among the rest, to perish for want of bread: it is no fault, but our wisdom and duty, to alter our resolutions, when t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take double money_ As much again as they took the time before, upon supposition that the price of corn might be risen, or that, if it should be insisted upon, they might pay a ransom for Simeon: And he sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and were scarce in Egypt, the commodities tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_God Almighty give you mercy before the man!_ Jacob had formerly turned an angry brother into a kind one with a present and a prayer, and here he betakes himself to the same tried method. Those that would find mercy with men must seek it of God. He concludes all with this, _If I be bereaved of my ch... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said, Peace be to you_ No harm shall come to you for that matter. _God hath given you treasure in your sacks_ By his power and providence secretly putting it there. He speaks thus, because Joseph had instructed him, as well as others of his family, in the knowledge and worship of the true Go... [ Continue Reading ]
When they brought him the present, they _bowed themselves before him_, and again, when they gave him an account of their father's health, they _made obeisance_, and called him, _Thy servant, our father_ Thus were Joseph's dreams fulfilled more and more; and even the father, by the sons, _bowed befor... [ Continue Reading ]
_God be gracious to thee, my son_ So he terms him, not from special affection, which he did not yet intend to discover; but because it is a courteous appellation, whereby superiors were wont to salute those below them. Joseph's favour, although he was _the lord of the land_, would do Benjamin little... [ Continue Reading ]
_That is an abomination to the Egyptians_ The most generally received opinion has been, according to the paraphrases of Onkelos and Jonathan, that the reason of this was the Hebrews eating the animals which the Egyptians held sacred. To this must be added, however, that the Egyptians were addicted t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The men marvelled one at another_ They were greatly surprised how he should know their respective ages, so as to place them, or cause them to sit down, exactly according to their seniority, as if he could certainly divine. Some, indeed, think they placed themselves so, according to their custom; bu... [ Continue Reading ]