CHAPTER XLIV _Joseph commands his steward to put his cup secretly into_ _Benjamin's sack_, 1, 2. _The sons of Jacob depart with the corn they had purchased_, 3. _Joseph commands his steward to pursue them, and charge them_ _with having stolen his cup_, 4-6. _The brethren excuse themselves, pro... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 44:2. _PUT MY CUP IN THE SACK'S MOUTH OF THE YOUNGEST_] The stratagem of the cup seems to have been designed to bring Joseph's brethren into the _highest state of perplexity and distress_, that their deliverance by the discovery that Joseph was their brother might have its _highest eff... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 44:5. _WHEREBY - HE DIVINETH?_] Divination by cups has been from time immemorial prevalent among the Asiatics; and for want of knowing this, commentators have spent a profusion of learned labour upon these words, in order to reduce them to that kind of meaning which would at once be c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 44:16. _WHAT SHALL WE SAY, C._] No words can more strongly mark _confusion_ and _perturbation_ of mind. They, no doubt, all thought that Benjamin had actually stolen the cup and the probability of this guilt might be heightened by the circumstance of his having that very cup to drink o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 44:18. _THOU ART EVEN AS PHARAOH._] As wise, as powerful, and as much to be dreaded as he. In the Asiatic countries, the reigning monarch is always considered to be the _pattern of all_ _perfection_; and the highest honour that can be conferred on any person, is to resemble him to the... [ Continue Reading ]