XLII. FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN TO EGYPT. (1) WHEN JACOB SAW. — That is, learned, understood, that there was corn in Egypt. As we have seen (Genesis 37:25), there was a large caravan trade between Palestine and Egypt, and the report would gradually get abroad that food might be purchased the... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH’S TEN BRETHREN. — Either their cattle and households had been already greatly reduced by the mortality caused by the famine, or each patriarch must have taken a number of servants with him, if the corn carried home was to be enough to be of any real use. We learn, however, that they still pos... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH’S BRETHREN CAME AND BOWED DOWN THEMSELVES BEFORE HIM. — Throughout the land of Egypt Joseph would sell by deputy, and only give general directions; but the arrival of so large a party as Joseph’s ten brethren, each probably with several attendants, would be reported to the governor in person,... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH... SPAKE ROUGHLY UNTO THEM. — Joseph has been accused of harshness in his treatment of his brethren, and still more so of his father in forcing him to send away Benjamin. The latter was, no doubt, the result of his great longing to see his only brother, and he may not have known how dear he w... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSEPH KNEW. — As this is twice repeated, some suppose that Joseph (in Genesis 42:7) had only a suspicion, from their dress and appearance, that these Canaanites were his brethren; but that when they spake the Hebrew tongue (comp. Genesis 42:23), every doubt was removed. They would not recognize him... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE SPIES. — This is the suspicion under which every traveller labours in the East; but in those days the whole Semitic race was especially looked upon in Egypt with distrust, and, as we saw in Genesis 12:15. a chain of fortresses had been built to protect the land from their incursions. Such an... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE ALL ONE MAN’S SONS. — Joseph’s brethren had probably expected this accusation, and their answer, as Abravanel points out, is a sound one: for no man would send his whole family on so dangerous an errand. And thus they press their family relations as a proof of their being _true,_ that is, hon... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT IS IT... — Joseph persists in his charge, because, besides the information which he gained, he also wished to get Benjamin into his power, that he might have him with him. As for his brethren, he had probably as yet no settled purpose, but naturally he would feel great indignation at the treatm... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE LIFE OF PHARAOH. — It was common in ancient times to swear by the king’s life (see 1 Samuel 17:55; 2 Samuel 14:19), and even by the life of Jehovah (2 Samuel 15:21; 2 Kings 2:2; 2 Kings 2:4; 2 Kings 2:6). It is only in the stricter morality of the Gospel that such oaths are forbidden (Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
I FEAR GOD (ELOHIM). — By the use of the name Elohim they would understand that he worshipped the same God as they did. For though he may himself have used the Egyptian word for the supreme Deity, yet doubtless he would take care that the interpreter used the word Elohim.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING YOUR YOUNGEST BROTHER. — Besides his desire to be re-united to his brother, Joseph reasonably felt that the possession of Benjamin would be the best means of inducing his father also to come to him. While substituting a much milder proposal for his former one, that nine should remain in prison... [ Continue Reading ]
WE ARE VERILY GUILTY. — They had evidently expected that whatever suspicions might be aroused by their first appearance, all such ideas would disappear upon their explanation of themselves and their purpose. Instead of this they are thrown into prison, abandoned to their reflections for three days,... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS BLOOD. — Evidently they thought that Joseph was dead, so that the accusation brought against them of falsehood for saying in Genesis 42:13 _“_one is not” is groundless. Moreover, Jacob uses the same words of Simeon (Genesis 42:36), meaning by it only that he was lost to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE TURNED... AND WEPT. — There was no bitterness in Joseph’s heart, and at their first word of regret he melted. But lest he should lose Benjamin he overcame his feelings, and commanded that Simeon should be bound, choosing him, probably, as the one chiefly guilty of the wrong done him. As soon as t... [ Continue Reading ]
TO FILL THEIR SACKS. — Heb., _their vessels._ The word includes all their means of transport, and probably they had come with materials sufficient for the removal of a large quantity of corn. They had sacks as well. So in Genesis 42:19, Joseph had commanded them to “carry corn for the famine of thei... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE INN. — Heb., _lodging-place,_ literally, place to pass the night. It is quite possible that on a route frequented by numerous caravans there were places where a certain amount of protection for the beasts of burden and their attendants had been provided, either by the rulers, or by benevolent... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR HEART FAILED THEM. — This verse is far more poetical in the Hebrew, where, literally it is _And their heart went forth, and they trembled each to his brother._ Their courage left them, and they stood looking at one another in terror.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEAVE ONE OF YOUR BRETHREN. — While acknowledging that the lord of Egypt had spoken “hard things” with them, they do not mention that Simeon was left in bonds, nor even the harsher part of the treatment which they had met with, lest Jacob should be afraid to send Benjamin on their next visit.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME. — Heb., _are upon me,_ are burdens which I have to bear.... [ Continue Reading ]
SLAY MY TWO SONS. — Reuben does not suppose that Jacob would really put his grandchildren to death. but simply means to offer his father a strong assurance that Benjamin would run no danger. He regarded the risk as so slight that he was willing to stake the lives of two of his children, perhaps all... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL YE BRING DOWN MY GRAY HAIRS WITH SORROW TO THE GRAVE. — Heb., _to Sheol_ (See Note on Genesis 37:35). Jacob, both here and in Genesis 47:9, speaks as one on whom sorrow had pressed very heavily. Always of a timid and affection Ate disposition, he looks onward now without hope, and sees in... [ Continue Reading ]