XLIII. THE SECOND VISIT TO EGYPT. (7) THE MAN ASKED US STRAITLY. — In Genesis 42:13 they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAD. — Benjamin was now between twenty and thirty years of age. The term “lad” in Judah’s mouth is one of affection, but even in itself it suits very well to a youth of this age. Rebekah (in Genesis 24:16) is called in the Hebrew _a lad_ (see Note there), and so is Shechem in Genesis 34:19. The... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN LET ME BEAR THE BLAME FOR EVER. — This is much more manly and therefore more persuasive than Reuben’s talk about pledging the lives of his children. For it was real, nor would it be a slight matter to stand in his father’s presence all the rest of his life as one guilty of a grievous crime.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEST FRUITS. — Heb., _the song,_ that is, whatever in the land is most celebrated in song. IN YOUR VESSELS. — The word used in Genesis 42:25, where see Note. Concerning this present two remarks must be made; the first, that it proves that though there was not rain enough in Palestine to bring th... [ Continue Reading ]
DOUBLE MONEY. — So Rashi; but others render it literally, _second money,_ that is, a second sum of money. This agrees with the phrase “other money_”_ in Genesis 43:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD ALMIGHTY. — Heb., _El Shaddai,_ the name by which Abraham’s covenant (Genesis 17:1) was renewed to Jacob (Genesis 35:11). IF I BE BEREAVED... — An expression of pious resignation, united with heartfelt anguish. The inserted words _of my children_ lessen the pathos of the patriarch’s ejaculation... [ Continue Reading ]
SLAY. — The charge of inaccuracy brought against the narrator, upon the supposition that the higher classes in Egypt, especially the priests, did not eat flesh, has been abundantly disproved, as the representations of feasts belonging to this period show that an abundance of animal food was consumed... [ Continue Reading ]
AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE. — Alarmed at a thing so unexpected as being taken to the house of the governor, they can see nothing but danger, and will not enter until they receive the assurance of safety from the officer “who was over Joseph’s house.” (See Note on Genesis 43:25.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INN. — The _lodging-place._ (See Note on Genesis 42:27.) OUR SACKS. — Heb., _our travelling_ or _forage bags._ It is the word used at the end of Genesis 42:27. So immediately afterwards the silver was found “in the mouth of the travelling-bag.” And so again in Genesis 43:22. This is accurate, as... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR GOD... — Either Joseph had instructed his steward what to say, or he had trained his household generally in the truths of his religion. (See Note on Genesis 42:18.) The word for “treasure_”_ means _hidden treasure,_ or as we call it a “windfall.” By bringing out Simeon he would remove their wor... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY HEARD... — As Joseph in Genesis 43:16 gives his orders in the Egyptian language, his brethren would not understand why they were taken to the governor’s palace; but probably the steward now tells them that they were to feast with the governor, in order to allay their fears, as the rights of... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY BOWED DOWN. — This was the literal fulfilment of the first dream concerning the eleven sheaves making obeisance. As their business in Egypt was to buy corn, there was a fitness also in their being represented as sheaves.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THIS YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER?_ — _Rather, _your youngest brother._ Joseph’s question was one of surprise. Can this young man, now nearly thirty, be the little Benjamin, who was but a child of eight or nine when last I saw him!... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WASHED HIS FACE. — This was done to remove all traces of his tears.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY HIMSELF... BY THEMSELVES. — These caste distinctions were common in ancient times, and still exist in India. Joseph probably had his food served separately because of his high rank; but the word “abomination” shows that eating with foreigners was shunned by the Egyptians for religious considerati... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SAT. — The Egyptians are always represented on the monuments as sitting at their meals. For the Hebrew custom see Note on Genesis 27:19. The brethren, on finding themselves placed according to their age, must have supposed that Joseph possessed powers of divination, especially as the giving of... [ Continue Reading ]
MESSES. — A portion of food from that prepared for the chief is regarded in the East as a mark both of honour and friendship, and the largeness of Benjamin’s mess marked him out as the especial object of Joseph’s regard. The words literally are, “And the portion of Benjamin was great above the porti... [ Continue Reading ]