Genesis 43
DOYLYChap. XLIV. ver. 1. — Fill the men’s sacks with food.] There are two sorts of sacks, noticed in the history of Joseph, which ought not to be confounded: one for the corn, the other for the baggage, &c. Through all Asia, as far as to the Indies, every thing is carried upon beasts of burden, in sacks of wool, covered in the middle with leather, down to the bottom, the better to resist water. They inclose in them their things, done up in large parcels. Of this kind of sacks we are to understand what is said here, and through this history; and not of the sacks in which they carried their corn. Otherwise we must believe that each of the Patriarchs carried but one sack of corn out of Egypt, which is not reasonable. The present text confirms this remark; for Joseph ordered the steward to fill the sacks with victuals as much as they could hold; which presupposes they were not full of corn. Another proof is in chap. xlii. 27., “One of
he spake unto them these same words.
Genesis 43:2
-
— put my cup, &c.] Joseph, having before honoured Benjamin, now tries the temper of his brethren, whether moved with envy they would give him up, or help him in his danger. Bp. Kidder.
-
— whereby — he divineth? This does not signify that Joseph practised divination, nor does his steward say that he did; but only asks such a question as might make them think he did. For being a known interpreter of dreams, people perhaps thought he was skilled in the arts of divination. But the word, rendered “divineth,” sometimes signifies no more than to make an experiment, as in the words of Laban, chap. xxx. 27. The meaning then may be, Might you not have considered, that my master made a trial, (so we interpret it in the margin,) by laying this in your way, whether you were honest men or thieves? Bp. Patrick.
The verse may be rendered, “Why have ye stolen the cup, in which my lord drinketh? He indeed hath conjectured rightly concerning it, and you have done wickedly.” The verb rendered “divineth,” signifies, not only auguries, but conjecture: and the original admits of an application not only to the instrument, which one uses, but also to the subject, concerning which any thing is done, judged, or said. The steward means, that his lord had made a certain conjecture concerning his cup, where it was; and the words of Joseph, ver. 15, have the same meaning: “Wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?” Knew ye not that such a man as I could form a right conjecture? that is, that I, who can interpret dreams and foretell future events, must be able to form an immediate and true conjecture concerning all things, and that therefore I should suspect you? Houbigant.
Genesis 43:18
- And the men were afraid, &c.] They who have not shewed mercy are very apt to believe they shall receive none. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 43:23
- — Peace be to you.] The Bedowens retain a great many of the customs and manners we read of in sacred as well as profane history: being, except in their religion, the same people they were two or three thousand years ago. Upon meeting one another they still use the primitive salutation, “Peace be unto you;” though they have made it a religious compliment, as if they said, Be in a state of salvation. Dr. Shaw.
— your God, and the God of your father, &c.] This steward had learnt of Joseph the knowledge of the true God, and would have these men acknowledge God’s providence in what had befallen them. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.
Genesis 43:28
- — Thy servant our father &c.] Thus Jacob by his
Genesis 43:29
- — God be gracious unto thee, my son.] He blessed him, as superiors were wont to do to those below them: calling them sons, with reference to themselves as fathers of the country. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 43:32
- — because the Egyptians might not eat &c.] See the note above from Dr. Hales, on chap. xlii. 9.
Genesis 43:33
- — the men marvelled one at another.] That they should be so exactly disposed according to the order of their birth; and so kindly treated by one, who had lately used them so roughly. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 43:34
- — And he took and sent messes &c.] The ancient manner of eating was, for every one to have one or more dishes to himself. The whole of these dishes were set before the master of the feast, and he distributed to every
Joseph’s policy to stay his brethren. # CHAP. XLIV.