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Genesis Chapter
Forty-three
Genesis 43
Outlines
Jacob’s Second Journey to
Egypt
New King James Version
(NKJV)
INTRODUCTION TO
GENESIS 43
This chapter informs us
how that the famine continued in the land of Canaan
and the corn that Jacob's
family had from Egypt being consumed
Jacob pressed his sons to go down for
more
which they refused to do
unless Benjamin was sent with them
for whose
safety Judah offered to become a surety
Genesis 43:1; Jacob
with reluctance was prevailed upon to let him go
and dismissed them with a
present to the governor of Egypt
and with double money to buy corn with
and
with his blessing upon them
Genesis 43:11; upon
which they set out for Egypt; and when they came into the presence of Joseph
he seeing Benjamin with them
ordered his steward to have them to his house
and get dinner ready
it being his pleasure that they should dine with him that
day
Genesis 43:15; this
threw them into a fright
supposing they were going to be called to an account
for the money they found in their sacks; wherefore they related to the steward
very particularly the whole of that affair
who bid them not be uneasy
for he
had had their money; and as a proof that things would go well with them
brought Simeon out to them
and treated them very kindly and gently
Genesis 43:18; and
having got their present ready against Joseph came home
they delivered it to
him with great veneration and submission; who asked of the welfare of their
father
and whether that was not their younger brother they spoke of
the sight
of whom so affected him
that he was obliged in haste to retire to his chamber
and weep
Genesis 43:25; and
having washed his face
and composed himself
he returned and ordered dinner to
be brought
which was set on different tables
one for himself and the
Egyptians
and the other for his brethren
whom he placed according to their
age
to their great surprise; and sent them messes from his table to each
and
to Benjamin five times more than the rest
and they were so liberally
entertained
that they became cheerful and merry
Genesis 43:31.
Genesis 43:1. Now the famine was
severe in the land.
YLT 1And the famine [is] severe
in the land;
And the famine was
sore in the land.
In the land of Canaan; it
increased yet more and more: this is observed for the sake of what follows
showing the reason and necessity of Jacob's sons taking a second journey into
Egypt.
Genesis 43:2. 2 And it came to pass
when they had eaten up
the grain which they had brought from Egypt
that their father said to them
“Go back
buy us a little food.”
YLT 2and it cometh to pass
when
they have finished eating the corn which they brought from Egypt
that their
father saith unto them
`Turn back
buy for us a little food.'
And it came to
pass
when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt
....
Which
in so numerous a
family as Jacob's was
having so many children
grandchildren
and servants
what nine men on so many asses could bring with them must be consumed in a
short time
how long cannot be said; no doubt they lived sparingly on it in
such a time of scarcity
to make it last as long as they could
and perhaps
only he
his children and grandchildren
might eat of it; the servants
as
Calvin observes
might live on meaner food
as acorns
herbs
and roots; and it
must not be thought that all this corn was eaten up entirely
and none left
but the far greater part of it
and but very little remaining; or otherwise
how should Jacob
and his sons' wives and children be supported until the
return of his sons from Egypt with fresh provisions? indeed it may be supposed
that the land of Canaan produced some corn
though but little; and it is
certain there were other fruits which were serviceable for food
as appears
from Genesis 43:11
their father
said
go again
buy us a little food;
just enough for him
and
them
and theirs
for the present; hoping that the famine would be over
quickly
and therefore orders them to go once more to Egypt
and buy some
provisions: they made no motion themselves to go
as it is highly probable they
determined they would not
since Jacob had resolved Benjamin should not go
but
waited for their father's motion
and which he did not make until necessity
obliged him.
Genesis 43:3. 3 But Judah spoke to him
saying
“The man
solemnly warned us
saying
‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is
with you.’
YLT 3And Judah speaketh unto
him
saying
`The man protesting protested to us
saying
Ye do not see my face
without your brother [being] with you;
And Judah spake
unto him
....
Reuben the eldest son had
met with a repulse already
Genesis 42:36;
Simeon the next was now in Egypt
Genesis 42:24
and
Levi
perhaps on account of the affair of Shechem
Genesis 34:25
did
not yet stand well in his father's favour and affection; wherefore Judah being
next
with the consent of his brethren
undertakes to manage the affair with
him
who had doubtless an interest in him
as well as authority among his
brethren
and was a prudent man
and could speak well:
saying
the man
did solemnly protest unto us;
meaning Joseph
though he
then knew not that it was he; whom he calls "the man"
not by way of
contempt
or as thinking and speaking meanly of him
but the reverse
the great
man
the honourable man
the governor of Egypt; and so the Septuagint version
adds
"the man
the lord of the land"; he in the strongest terms
and
in the most solemn manner
protested by the life of Pharaoh:
saying
ye shall
not see my face;
with acceptance
should
not be admitted to come near him
or treat with him
and purchase any corn of
him:
except your
brother be with you;
their youngest brother
Benjamin.
Genesis 43:4. 4 If you send our brother with us
we will go
down and buy you food.
YLT 4if thou art sending our
brother with us
we go down
and buy for thee food
If thou wilt
send our brother with us
....
Give orders for his going
with us
and put him under our care:
we will go down
and buy thee food;
signifying
on the above
condition
that they were ready and willing to take a journey into Egypt
and
buy provisions for him and his family
otherwise not.
Genesis 43:5. 5 But if you will not send him
we will
not go down; for the man said to us
‘You shall not see my face unless your
brother is with you.’”
YLT 5and if thou art not sending
-- we do not go down
for the man said unto us
Ye do not see my face without
your brother [being] with you.'
But if thou
wilt not send him
we will not go down
....
This they said not as
undutiful
and from a spirit of rebellion and disobedience to their father
or
of stubbornness and obstinacy
but because they durst not go down
nor could
they with any safety; they might expect to be taken up as spies
and put to
death as they were threatened; and besides
it would be in vain
and to no
purpose
since there was no likelihood of succeeding
or of getting any
provision:
for the man
said unto us
ye shall not see my face
except your brother be with you;
which they repeat both for
the confirmation of it
and as an apology for themselves
to clear them from
any charge of unfaithfulness.
Genesis 43:6. 6 And Israel said
“Why did you deal so
wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another
brother?”
YLT 6And Israel saith
`Why did
ye evil to me
by declaring to the man that ye had yet a brother?'
And Israel said
....
In answer to the speech of
Judah:
wherefore dealt
ye so ill with me;
had done that which
brought so much evil upon him
gave him so much grief and trouble
and threw
him into such perplexity and distress
that he knew not what to do
or course
to take:
as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
which he thought was done
imprudently and unadvisedly
and that there was no need of it; which
had it
not been done
would have prevented this anxiety of mind he was now in
and the
mischief he feared would follow.1
Genesis 43:7. 7 But they said
“The man asked us pointedly
about ourselves and our family
saying
‘Is your father still alive?
Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words.
Could we possibly have known that he would say
‘Bring your brother down’?”
YLT 7and they say
`The man
asked diligently concerning us
and concerning our kindred
saying
Is your
father yet alive? have ye a brother? and we declare to him according to the
tenor of these things; do we certainly know that he will say
Bring down your
brother?'
Genesis 43:8. 8 Then Judah said to Israel his father
“Send
the lad with me
and we will arise and go
that we may live and not die
both
we and you and also our little ones.
YLT 8And Judah saith unto Israel
his father
`Send the youth with me
and we arise
and go
and live
and do not
die
both we
and thou
and our infants.
And Judah said
unto Israel his father
send the lad with me
and we will arise and go
....
Directly to Egypt for
corn; Judah calls Benjamin a lad
because the youngest brother
and tenderly
brought up by his father
who had an affectionate fondness for him as if he had
been a child; otherwise he must be thirty two years of age
for he was seven
years younger than Joseph
who was now thirty nine years of age; yea
Benjamin
must have children of his own
who went with him and his father into Egypt
Genesis 46:21; for
the computation of Benjamin's age
see Genesis 30:22
that we may
live
and not die
both we
and thou
and also our little ones;
he argues
that if they
with Benjamin went down to Egypt for corn
there was a possibility
yea
a
probability that they would all live
even Benjamin also; but if not
they must
all in course die
and Benjamin likewise; and therefore it was most prudent and
advisable
for the sake of all their lives
of them and theirs
and for the
sake of Benjamin among the rest
for whom Jacob was so particularly concerned
to let him go with them to Egypt for corn
since he must die if they did not
go
and he could but die if he did go; and there was great likelihood
if not a
certainty
he would not; at least Judah was confident he would not
as appears
by what follows.
Genesis 43:9. 9 I myself will be surety for him; from my hand
you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him
before you
then let me bear the blame forever.
YLT 9I -- I am surety [for] him
from my hand thou dost require him; if I have not brought him in unto thee
and
set him before thee -- then I have sinned against thee all the days;
I will be
surety for him
....
Engage for his safe
return:
of my hand
shall thou require him;
I will be answerable for
him:
if I bring him
not to thee
and set him before thee:
do not return him from
Egypt
and bring him to Canaan
into his father's house and presence safe
and
sound:
then let me
bear the blame for ever;
of persuading his father
to let him go with him; all this he said
to show what care he would take of
him
and what confidence he had that no evil would befall him
that he would be
returned with them in safety; which he might ground upon the assurance that
Joseph had given
that they should not die if they brought their brother with
them
Genesis 42:20; and
perhaps Judah
as Schmidt thinks
might be under a special instinct of divine
Providence
which directed him to say these things: and it may be added
that
Jacob also might be under a divine impulse
which influenced him to regard what
Judah said
or otherwise his suretyship was but a poor security
and of little
avail.
Genesis 43:10. 10 For if we had not lingered
surely by now we
would have returned this second time.”
YLT 10for if we had not lingered
surely now we had returned these two times.'
For except we
had lingered
....
Delayed going down to
Egypt
through the demur Jacob made of tending Benjamin with them:
surely now we
had returned this second time;
they would have made their
journey to Egypt
and returned again with their corn
and their brother
Benjamin too
as Judah supposed
before this time; so that by these delays they
were losing time
and involving themselves and families in distress for want of
corn.
Genesis 43:11. 11 And their father Israel
said to them
“If it must be so
then do this: Take some of the best
fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a
little balm and a little honey
spices and myrrh
pistachio nuts and almonds.
YLT 11And Israel their father
saith unto them
`If so
now
this do: take of the praised thing of the land in
your vessels
and take down to the man a present
a little balm
and a little
honey
spices and myrrh
nuts and almonds;
And their
father said unto them
....
Being in some measure
convinced by their reasonings
and in part at least reconciled to let Benjamin
go with them
there being nothing to be done
he perceived
unless he consented
to it:
if it must
be so now
do this;
if nothing else will do
but Benjamin must go
which after all he was reluctant to
then he advises them
to do as follows:
take of the
best fruits in the land in your vessels;
such as were the peculiar
produce of the land of Canaan
and the best of it; for which it was most
famous
and praised
as the word used signifies; these Jacob advises to take
and put into their sacks they carried to bring back their corn in:
and carry down
the man a present;
the great man and governor
of Egypt
whose name was not known
little thinking it was his son Joseph; this
he proposed to be done
in order to procure his friendship
that he might carry
it kindly and respectfully to them
release Simeon
and send back Benjamin with
them. The present consisted of the following things:
a little balm:
or rosin
of which there
was great quantity in and about Gilead; See Gill on Jeremiah 8:22
and a little
honey;
the land of Canaan in
general is called a land flowing with milk and honey; and some parts of it were
famous for it
as the
parts about Ziph
called from thence the honey of ZiphimF9Misn.
Machshirin
c. 5. sect. 9. : this is the first time mention is made of
"honey" in Scripture. Some sayF11"Et a Baccho mella
reperta ferunt"
Ovid. Fast. l. 3. Bacchus was the inventor of it. JustinF12E
Trogo
l. 44. c. 4. makes a very ancient king of a people in the country
now
called Spain
to whom he gives the name of Gorgoris
to be the first that found
out the way of gathering honey; but by this it appears to be of a more early
date. Dr. ShawF13Travels
p. 339. No. 6. Ed. 2. thinks
that not
honey
properly so called
is meant
but a kind of "rob" made of the
juice of grapes
called by the Arabs "dibsa"
a word near in sound
with
and from the same root as this. And who further observes
that Hebron
alone (the place were Jacob now was) sends every year to Egypt three hundred
camel loads
i.e. near two thousand quintals of this rob: and Leo Africanus
saysF14Descriptio Africae
l. 8. p. 682.
there is but little honey
to be found in Egypt
wherefore it made this part of the present the more
acceptable:
spices;
of various sorts
a
collection of them; though it is thought
by Bochart and others
that the
"storax" is particularly meant; the best of that sort being
as PlinyF15Nat.
Hist. l. 12. c. 25. says in Judea. The Targum and Jarchi take it to be
"wax"
as do also other Jewish writers:
and myrrh;
the liquor called
"stacte"
that drops from the myrrh tree. Some will have this
"lot"
as the word is
the same with "ladanum"; one should
rather think that it should be the lotus or lote tree
the fruit of which
PlinyF16Ib. l. 13. c. 17. says
is the size of a bean
and of a
saffron colour
and HerodotusF17Melpomene
sive
l. 4. c. 177. Vid.
Euterpe
sive
l. 2. c. 92. says
it is sweet like a date; but that it was
frequent in Egypt
and needed not be carried there. The Targum renders it
"chestnuts"
and so Ben Melech
as it does what follows:
nuts
and
almonds
the oil of nuts
and the
oil of almonds: the former design not common
but the pistachio nuts
as Jarchi
observes from R. Machir; and these
as PlinyF18Nat. Hist. l. 13. c.
5. says
were well known in Syria
and were good for food and drink
and
against the bites of serpents; and
as BochartF19Canaan
l. 1. c.
10. col. 389. observes
are frequently mentioned by naturalists along with
almonds
and as like unto them.
Genesis 43:12. 12 Take double money in your hand
and take back
in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it
was an oversight.
YLT 12and double money take in
your hand
even the money which is brought back in the mouth of your bags
ye
take back in your hand
it may be it [is] an oversight.
And take double
money in your hand
....
Than what they carried
before
either to buy as much more as they then did; or rather because of the
greater scarcity of corn
as Jarchi observes
which made it doubly dearer; for
this seems to be different from the money they are also bid to take in return
for that found in their sacks
which was a third parcel
as follows:
and the money
that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks
carry it again in
your hand;
that it might be ready to
pay upon demand
should they be charged with nonpayment for the corn they had
before:
peradventure it
was an oversight;
a mistake of the
governors
or of those that were under him
concerned in the sale of the corn
and receiving money for it
or of Jacob's sons; he could not tell how it was
but some way or other he supposed a mistake was made.
Genesis 43:13. 13 Take your brother also
and arise
go back to
the man.
YLT 13`And take your brother
and
rise
turn back unto the man;
Take also your
brother
....
Their brother Benjamin
committing him into their hands and to their care
hereby declaring his consent
and willingness that he should go with them:
and arise
go
again to the man;
the governor of Egypt
to
buy corn of him.
Genesis 43:14. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before
the man
that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved
I am bereaved!”
YLT 14and God Almighty give to
you mercies before the man
so that he hath sent to you your other brother and
Benjamin; and I
when I am bereaved -- I am bereaved.'
And God
Almighty give you mercy before the man
....
Who has the hearts of all
men in his hands
kings
princes
governors
even those who are the most cruel
and hardhearted
rough and severe in their tempers and dispositions
and such
an one they had represented this man to be; one that had spoke roughly to them
and used them roughly: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind
and now he puts up a prayer to God
and dismisses his sons with his good wishes
for them
that God would incline the heart of the governor to show kindness to
them
and let them have corn
nor use any of them ill: particularly:
that he may
send away your other brother and Benjamin;
release Simeon
and send
him and Benjamin aiming with them when they returned:
if I be
bereaved of my children
I am bereaved;
this he said
not as
utterly despairing of their return
but as expressive of his patient submission
to the divine will
be it as it may be.
Genesis 43:15. 15 So the men took that present and Benjamin
and they took double money in their hand
and arose and went down to Egypt; and
they stood before Joseph.
YLT 15And the men take this
present
double money also they have taken in their hand
and Benjamin; and
they rise
and go down to Egypt
and stand before Joseph;
And the men
took the present
....
Their father directed them
to:
and they took
double money in their hand;
besides what they found in
their sacks mouths
which they also carried with them:
and Benjamin;
they took him likewise
with their father's leave:
and rose up
and went down to Egypt
and stood before Joseph;
presented themselves to
him
and their petitions for more corn
as well as to answer to any questions
that should be asked them.
Genesis 43:16. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them
he said
to the steward of his house
“Take these men to my home
and slaughter
an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.”
YLT 16and Joseph seeth Benjamin
with them
and saith to him who [is] over his house
`Bring the men into the house
and slaughter an animal
and make ready
for with me do the men eat at noon.'
And when Joseph
saw Benjamin with them
....
Whom he knew
though he
had not seen him twenty two years
and though he must be very much altered
being but about ten years of age when Joseph was said into Egypt
yet being
with the rest of his brethren
whom he knew very well
concluded it must be
him:
he said to the
ruler of his house;
his steward
as be is
after called
not his son Manasseh
as the Targum of Jonathan:
bring these
men home;
to his own house
for
Joseph was now at or near the place where were the granaries of corn
and where
that was said and distributed:
and slay
and
make ready;
or "slay a
slaughter"F20טבח טבח
"macta mactationem"
Drusius
Schmidt; "macta animalia"
Junius & Tremellius
Piscator.
that is
of beasts for food; a sheep
or a
lamb
or a calf
very probably
and order it to be dressed
boiled or roasted
or both
that it might be fit for food: wherefore Aben Ezra must be mistaken
when Genesis 46:34; he
says
that the Egyptians in those times did not eat flesh
nor might any kill a
sheep; for it cannot be thought that Joseph could order a dinner for his
brethren
to whom as yet he did not choose to make himself known
in direct
violation of the customs and laws of Egypt
and who
it is plain by what
follows
dined as an Egyptian
and with the Egyptians
and not as an Hebrew
and with his brethren as Hebrews; besides
for what purpose did Pharaoh get and
possess such herds and flocks of cattle
if not for food as well as other uses?
see Genesis 47:6;
though in later times they abstained from eating various animals
as PorphyryF21De
abstinentia
l. 4. sect. 6
7. from Chaeremon relates
and particularly from
sheep and goats
according to JuvenalF24"-----lanatis
animalibus abstinet omnis Mensa
nefas illic foetus jugulare capellae."
Satyr 15. ver. 11
12. :
for these
men shall dine with me at noon;
which was the usual time
of dining with the eastern people
as it is now with us
though with the Romans
at evening.
Genesis 43:17. 17 Then the man did as Joseph ordered
and the
man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
YLT 17And the man doth as Joseph
hath said
and the man bringeth in the men into the house of Joseph
And the man did
as Joseph bade: and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
Showed them the way to it
and introduced them into it
and led them into some apartment in it
and
ordered every thing to be got ready for dinner as his master had bid him
being
a diligent and faithful servant: at old Cair is shown to travellersF25Radzivil
Thevenot
Le Brun & Lucas apud Jablonski de Terra Goshen
Dissert. 5. sect.
6. the house of Joseph in the tower
and a very surprising well
said to be
made by him
and here
they say; the granaries were
in which the corn was laid
up.
Genesis 43:18. 18 Now the men were afraid because they were
brought into Joseph’s house; and they said
“It is because of the money
which was returned in our sacks the first time
that we are brought in
so that
he may make a case against us and seize us
to take us as slaves with our
donkeys.”
YLT 18and the men are afraid
because they have been brought into the house of Joseph
and they say
`For the
matter of the money which was put back in our bags at the commencement are we
brought in -- to roll himself upon us
and to throw himself on us
and to take
us for servants -- our asses also.'
And the men
were afraid
because they were brought into Joseph's house
....
It not being usual
as
Jarchi observes
for those that came to buy corn to lodge there
but at an inn
in the city:
and they said
because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we
brought in;
to examine and inquire of
them how they came to go away without paying for their corn
take up their
money again after they had laid it down
and take it away with them
and so
were guilty of tricking and defrauding
if not of theft:
that he may
seek occasion against us:
or "roll on us"F26להתנלל עלינו "ut devolvat
(hoc) in nos"
Tigurine version. ; cast all the shame on them
and leave
the reproach and scandal of it on them:
and fall upon
us;
with hard words
and
severe menaces
if not with blows:
and take us for
bondmen
and our asses;
imprison them
which was
the punishment for fraud and theft
and take their asses as a forfeiture.
Genesis 43:19. 19 When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s
house
they talked with him at the door of the house
YLT 19And they come nigh unto the
man who [is] over the house of Joseph
and speak unto him at the opening of the
house
And they came
near to the steward of Joseph's house
....
The same person before
called the ruler of his house
under whose direction they were; just before
they came to the house
as it seems by what follows
they made up to him as
having something to say to him:
and they
communed with him at the door of the house;
before they went into it
being uneasy and eager to know what should be the meaning of their being
brought thither
which was unusual.
Genesis 43:20. 20 and said
“O sir
we indeed came down the
first time to buy food;
YLT 20and say
`O
my lord
we
really come down at the commencement to buy food;
And said
O sir
....
Or
"on me
my
lord"F1בי אדני
"in me Domine mi"
Montanus.
one said in the name of the rest
perhaps
Judah
on me let the blame lie
if guilty of rudeness in making our address to
thee; or as the Vulgate Latin version
"we pray
sir
that thou wouldest
hear us"; and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra say the phrase is expressive of
beseeching
entreating
and supplicating:
we came indeed
down at the first time to buy food;
not to spy the land but to
buy corn
and not to get it by fraud or tricking but by paying for it the price
that was required.
Genesis 43:21. 21 but it happened
when we
came to the encampment
that we opened our sacks
and there
each man’s
money was in the mouth of his sack
our money in full weight; so we have
brought it back in our hand.
YLT 21and it cometh to pass
when
we have come in unto the lodging-place
and open our bags
that lo
each one's
money [is] in the mouth of his bag
our money in its weight
and we bring it
back in our hand;
And it came to
pass when we came to the inn
....
Upon the road
on the
first day's journey
to refresh themselves and their cattle:
that we opened
our sacks;
to give provender to our
cattle; by which it appears that they all did this
though it is only said of
one of them at the inn
and of all of them when they came home
Genesis 42:27
and
behold
every
man's money was in the mouth of his sack
our money in full weight;
nothing wanting of it; it
being usual in those times to pay money by weight
and not by the tale of
pieces:
and we have
brought it again in our hand;
in order to pay it for the
corn we have had
having no design to defraud.
Genesis 43:22. 22 And we have brought down other money in our
hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”
YLT 22and other money have we
brought down in our hand to buy food; we have not known who put our money in
our bags.'
And other money
have we brought down in our hands to buy food
....
Double money for a double
quantity
or because the price of corn was now doubled; and their bringing this
besides the other showed their honest and upright intentions:
we cannot tell
who put our money in our sacks;
we are quite ignorant of
it
and can by no means account for it
and therefore hope no blame will be
laid on us.
Genesis 43:23. 23 But he said
“Peace be with you
do
not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in
your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
YLT 23And he saith
`Peace to
you
fear not: your God and the God of your father hath given to you hidden
treasure in your bags
your money came unto me;' and he bringeth out Simeon
unto them.
And he said
peace be unto you
fear not
....
Do not be uneasy and
disturbed
you have nothing to fear
you are in no danger:
your God
and
the God of your father
hath given you treasure in your sacks;
the hidden treasure
as
the word signifies
found in their sacks; was there by the providence of God
so disposing the heart of Joseph to order it to be put there
as the steward
interpreted it; who by being Joseph's family had got some knowledge of the true
God
and of his all wise and disposing Providence:
I had your
money;
he received it of them
which he acknowledges
and that was sufficient to acquit them from guile and
theft
though he does not say that he put the money into their sacks
or by
whose order it was done:
and he brought
Simeon out unto them;
either out of prison
or
out of some other room to them
which was
no doubt
done by the direction of
Joseph.
Genesis 43:24. 24 So the man brought the men into Joseph’s
house and gave them water
and they washed their feet; and he gave their
donkeys feed.
YLT 24And the man bringeth in the
men into Joseph's house
and giveth water
and they wash their feet; and he
giveth provender for their asses
And the man
brought the men into Joseph's house
....
After the above discourse
had passed between them
and he had made their minds easy
both with respect to
the money
and by bringing Simeon unbound to them:
and gave them
water
and they washed their feet;
which was usually done in
the eastern countries after travelling
and when about to take a meal
and was
both for refreshment and cleanliness:
and he gave
their asses provender;
thus were they hospitably
entertained
they and all that belonged to them.
Genesis 43:25. 25 Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s
coming at noon
for they heard that they would eat bread there.
YLT 25and they prepare the
present until the coming of Joseph at noon
for they have heard that there they
do eat bread.
And they made
ready the present against Joseph came at noon
....
They took it out of their
vessels or bags in which they brought it
having unladen their asses
and
disposed of it in a proper manner to present it to him when he came home at
noon to dine:
for they heard
that they should eat bread there;
dine there
bread being
put for all provision: this was told them
very probably
by the steward
or by
some of the servants in the house
or they overheard what Joseph said to the
steward
Genesis 43:16.
Genesis 43:26. 26 And when Joseph came home
they brought him
the present which was in their hand into the house
and bowed down
before him to the earth.
YLT 26And Joseph cometh into the
house
and they bring to him the present which [is] in their hand
into the
house
and bow themselves to him
to the earth;
And when Joseph
came home
....
In order to dine
it being
noontime:
they brought
him the present which was in their hand into the house;
everyone took a part of it
in his hand
and brought it to Joseph in the parlour where he was
and
delivered it to him as a present from their father
or from themselves
or it
may be as from both:
and bowed
themselves to him to the earth;
in the most prostrate and
humble manner
now again fulfilling his dream
and more completely than before
for now all his eleven brethren were together
signified by the eleven stars in
the dream
that made obeisance to him
see Genesis 37:9.
Genesis 43:27. 27 Then he asked them about their
well-being
and said
“Is your father well
the old man of whom you
spoke? Is he still alive?”
YLT 27and he asketh of them of
peace
and saith
`Is your father well? the aged man of whom ye have spoken
is
he yet alive?'
And he asked
them of their welfare
....
Or "peace"F2לשלום "ad pacem"
Montanus
"de pace"
Vatablus
Drusius
Piscator
Schmidt.
their prosperity
especially of the
health of their bodies
whether they were well and in good health after so long
a journey:
and said
is
your father well
the old man of whom ye spake?
when they were with him
before
and told him they were all the sons of one man
who dwelt in Canaan:
is he yet alive?
which he was very desirous
of knowing; for
being advanced in years
he might fear he was removed by death
in the time between their going and returning.
Genesis 43:28. 28 And they answered
“Your servant our father is
in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and
prostrated themselves.
YLT 28and they say
`Thy servant
our father [is] well
he is yet alive;' and they bow
and do obeisance.
And they answered
thy servant our father is in good health
he is yet alive
....
Which is an answer to both
his questions; and by calling their father Joseph's servant
he did obeisance
to him in them
as well as by sending a present to him
which they delivered as
coming from him his servant; and it is not improbable that Jacob sent his
salutation to him as his servant
and so that part of the dream of Joseph's was
also fulfilled
which represented the sun doing obeisance to him
Genesis 37:9
and they bowed
their heads
and made obeisance;
a second time
as they
did
no doubt
at every time they gave answer to Joseph's questions; and this
is again observed
to show the full completion of the above dream.
Genesis 43:29. 29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother
Benjamin
his mother’s son
and said
“Is this your younger brother of
whom you spoke to me?” And he said
“God be gracious to you
my son.”
YLT 29And he lifteth up his eyes
and seeth Benjamin his brother
his mother's son
and saith
`Is this your
young brother
of whom ye have spoken unto me?' and he saith
`God favour thee
my son.'
And he lifted
up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin
....
He had seen him before
when his brethren first presented themselves to him
but then took no
particular and special notice of him
only gave him a side look as it were
but
now he looked wistly at him:
his mother's
son;
the son of Rachel his
mother
and who was his only brother by his mother's side
the rest
though his
brethren
yet only by his father's side
not his mother's sons:
and said
is
this your younger brother
of whom ye spake unto me?
he knew he was the same
but was willing to have it from their mouths
to lead on to what he had further
to say:
and he said;
after they had answered
his question
and told him it was he:
God be gracious
unto thee
my son;
speaking as a superior
a
governor
in which capacity he was a father to his inferiors; and as a man
a
relation
a brother
though not as yet discovered; he spoke in the most tender
and affectionate manner
and
as a religious good man
he wishes the best thing
he could for his brother
the grace and goodness of God; and which may be
understood in the largest and most expressive sense
as including all good
things
temporal
spiritual
and eternal.
Genesis 43:30. 30 Now his heart yearned for his brother; so
Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his
chamber and wept there.
YLT 30And Joseph hasteth
for his
bowels have been moved for his brother
and he seeketh to weep
and entereth
the inner chamber
and weepeth there;
And Joseph made
haste
....
To get out of the room
where he was with his brethren as fast as he could:
for his bowels
did yearn upon his brother;
his passions grew strong
his affections were raised
his heart was full of tenderness
and there was
such a flow of love and joy at the sight of his brother
and the little
conversation he had with him
that he was ready to burst out
and must have
discovered himself if he had not immediately turned and got out of the room:
and he sought where
to weep;
a proper place to vent his
passion in tears of joy
and relieve himself
and he entered
into his chamber
and wept there;
where he could be the most
retired
and not likely to be overheard.
Genesis 43:31. 31 Then he washed his face and
came out; and he restrained himself
and said
“Serve the bread.”
YLT 31and he washeth his face
and goeth out
and refraineth himself
and saith
`Place bread.'
And he washed
his face
....
From the tears on it
that
it might not be discerned that he had been weeping:
and went out;
of his chamber into the
room again
where his brethren were:
and refrained
himself;
from weeping
or showing
any excess of passion
love
joy
&c.
and said
set
on bread;
gave orders to his
servants to bring in dinner
and set it upon the table; bread
as before
being
put for all kind of food.
Genesis 43:32. 32 So they set him a place by himself
and them
by themselves
and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the
Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews
for that is an
abomination to the Egyptians.
YLT 32And they place for him by
himself
and for them by themselves
and for the Egyptians who are eating with
him by themselves: for the Egyptians are unable to eat bread with the Hebrews
for it [is] an abomination to the Egyptians.
And they set on
for him by himself
....
A table was placed and
provisions set upon it in one part of the room for Joseph by himself; which was
done either because he was an Hebrew
and the Egyptians might not eat with him
nor he with them; or rather for the sake of grandeur
he being the next man in
the kingdom to Pharaoh:
and for them by
themselves;
another table was placed
and spread for Joseph's brethren by themselves
the reason of which is after
given:
and for the
Egyptians
which did eat with him
by themselves;
a third table was laid for
such Egyptian noblemen and others
who were at this time Joseph's guests
or
used to dine with him:
because the
Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews
for that is an
abomination unto the Egyptians;
the reason of which
as
given by the Targums of Onkelos and
Jonathan
is
because the creatures the
Egyptians worshipped the Hebrews eat; but it is a question whether such
creatures as oxen
sheep
goats
&c. which were eaten by the Hebrews
were
so early worshipped by the Egyptians; though they were in later times
and
particularly the Apis or ox
which is supposed by many to be worshipped on the
account of Joseph
and so after his time; rather the abhorrence the Egyptians
had the Hebrews in was on account of their being shepherds
on a political
account
they having before this time suffered much by the insurrections and
rebellions of such sort of persons among themselves
who set up a kingdom and
kings of their own
called the "Hycsi"
or pastor kings: or else this
difference made between the Egyptians and Hebrews at eating
was not on account
of what they did eat
as of the certain rites and customs the Egyptians had
peculiar to themselves in dressing their food
and eating it; and therefore
would not eat with any of another nation; so that this was not any particular
distaste they had to the Hebrews
but was their usage towards men of all
nations; for so Herodotus saysF3Euterpe
sive
l. 2. c. 41.
that"no Egyptian
man or woman
might kiss the month of a Greek
or use a
knife
or spit
or pot;'that is
a knife a Greek had cut anything with
or a
spit he had roasted meat on
or a pot he had boiled it in; and adds
"nor
might taste of the flesh of an ox
cut with the knife of a Greek.'And indeed
they would not eat nor converse with any of another religionF4Chaeremon
apud Porphyr. de abstinentia
l. 4. sect. 6.
be they who they would.
Genesis 43:33. 33 And they sat before him
the firstborn
according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the
men looked in astonishment at one another.
YLT 33And they sit before him
the first-born according to his birthright
and the young one according to his
youth
and the men wonder one at another;
And they sat
before him
....
At a table
so placed that
they were in his sight
and he had a full view of them:
the firstborn
according to his birthright
and the youngest according to his youth;
everyone according to his
age
Reuben
the firstborn
first
and so on to Benjamin the youngest: thus
they placed themselves as they used to be in their father's family
or they
were so placed by Joseph; and if this was the case
it may be a reason
and a
principal one
of what follows:
and the men
marvelled one at another;
not the Egyptians
the
guests of Joseph
seeing eleven brethren placed in this manner
and these being
Hebrews
taken so much notice of; but Joseph's brethren
who either wondered at
the manner of their being seated so regular
according to their age; or at the
honour done them to dine with the governor
and at the grandeur of the
entertainment
and at the separate manner in which the governor
and the nobles
of Egypt
sat at meals; or at what follows.
Genesis 43:34. 34 Then he took servings to them from before
him
but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they
drank and were merry with him.
YLT 34and he lifteth up gifts
from before him unto them
and the gift of Benjamin is five hands more than the
gifts of all of them; and they drink
yea
they drink abundantly with him.
And he took and
sent messes unto there from before him
....
The several dishes were
brought before him
who cut them up
and sent to everyone their part and
portion
as was usual in those times and countries
and afterwards elsewhereF5Athenaei
Deipnosophist. l. 1.
for the master of the family or feast to divide the food
into parts
and to give to every guest his part; and these were called
from
their being sent
"missus"
and from whence seems to be our English
word "messes"
here used:
but Benjamin's
mess was five times so much as any of theirs;
which was done out of his
great affection to him
being his own brother both by father and mother's side;
and
as some think
to try his brethren
how they stood affected to Benjamin
and observe if this did not raise their envy to him
as his father's particular
respect to him had raised it in them against himself; and that
if it should
he might provide for his safety
lest they should use him in like manner as
they had used him. This undoubtedly was designed as a peculiar favour
and a
mark of special honour and respect
it being usual for princes to send messes
from their tables to such as they favoured; and particularly it was usual with
the Egyptians for their kings to have double messes more than the rest
in
honour of them
as HerodotusF6Erato
sive
l. 6. c. 57. relates:
Benjamin's mess consisted either of five parts
or it was five times bigger
than what was sent to the rest; not but that they had all what was sufficient;
there was no want to any
but great plenty of everything for them all; nor was
this designed Benjamin
that he should eat the larger quantity
only to show
him distinguishing respect:
and they drank
and were merry with him;
after dinner they drank
wine liberally and plentifully
but not to excess and intemperance
yet so as
to be cheerful and in good spirits; their fears being all dissipated by this
generous entertainment they met with.
──《John Gill’s
Exposition of the Bible》