Genesis 44

Chap. XLV. ver. 1. Then Joseph could not refrain himself] The circumstances of this discovery are very remarkable, and serve strongly to illustrate the filial piety of Joseph. He had prepared, we read in the foregoing chapter, to detain Benjamin: the rest being perplexed beyond measure, and distressed by this proposal, Judah, approaching Joseph, presents a most earnest supplication for the deliverance of the lad; offers himself to remain Joseph’s prisoner, or slave, in his brother’s place; and in the conclusion touches, unknowingly, upon a string, which vibrates with all the affections of the person, whom he was addressing. “How shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” The mention of this circumstance and this person subdued immediately the heart of Joseph; and produced a sudden, and, as it should seem, an undesigned premature discovery of himself to his astonished family. Then, that is, upon this circumstance being mentioned, “Joseph could not refrain himself:” and, after a little preparation, “Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph.” Archdeacon Paley.

Chap. XLVII. ver. 4. — to sojourn in the land] Not to settle in it; and therefore they desire Goshen as near to Canaan. Bp. Kidder.

— the famine is sore in the land of Canaan.] Canaan was an high country, when compared with Egypt: and the grass sooner burnt up there than in Goshen, which being very low, they found in it pasture for their flocks. We are told on the authority of those who knew the country, that there was grass in the marshes and fenny parts of Egypt, when the Nile did not overflow enough to make plenty of corn. Bp. Patrick.

— few and evil have the days &c.] They had been few, in comparison with his forefathers; and evil, because full of labour and care, grief and sorrow, on many occasions. Bp. Patrick.

Though Jacob in some respects was a prosperous man, yet he met with many evils. He fled from Esau, and served Laban twenty years; he was defeated in his hope of Rachel, and she was barren also; he fled from Laban, and feared Esau; he was afflicted in Dinah, in Simeon and Levi, and in Reuben, and upon the score of Joseph; in the sons of Judah, and in Tamar; besides the death of Rachel and the sending away of Benjamin. Bp. Kidder.

— have not attained unto the days &c.] Though Jacob lived seventeen years after this, he did not attain to “the days of the years of the life of his fathers:” since his father Isaac lived 180 years, and his grandfather Abraham 175. Biblioth. Bibl.

Chap. XLIX. ver. 1.—that I may tell you that which shall befall you &c.] It is a very ancient opinion, that the nearer men approach to their dissolution, their souls grow more divine, and discern more of futurity. We find this opinion as early as Homer; and testimonies to this purpose might be produced from various authorities. What might principally give rise to this opinion, was the tradition of some of the Patriarchs being divinely inspired in their last moments to foretell the condition of their descendants, as Jacob on his deathbed summoned his children together, that he might inform them of what should befall them in the latter or the last days. Bp. Newton.

Jacob is the first we read of, who particularly declared the future state of every one of his sons, when he left the world. These last words of his may be called prophecies, rather than benedictions; some of them containing no blessing in them; but all of them predictions. Bp. Patrick.

— in the last days.] That is, hereafter. These words denote not any one precise time. The predictions were to be fulfilled in sundry times: and part of them to extend to the time of the Messiah, which is called “the last days,” Is. ii. 2; Acts ii. 17; Heb. i. 2. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 44:2

2.—Israel strengthened himself.] He exerted his strength: and possibly, when he had raised himself, he supported himself by bearing on his staff, Heb. xi. 21. Bp. Kidder.

Jacob blesseth Ephraim and Manasseh, CHAP. XLVIII. and their father. Before CHRIST 1689. b Chap. 41. 36. Josh. 13. 7.

2. Gather yourselves together, &c.] The style, in which Jacob speaks to his sons, is much more lofty than that hitherto used in this book. The spirit of prophecy, now coming upon him, probably raised his style as well as his understanding; as it did that of Moses also, who delivered his benedictions in Deut. xxxiii. in a strain more sublime than his other writings. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:3

3. Reuben, thou art my firstborn.] The prerogatives of the birthright consisted chiefly in a double portion of the father’s estate; the priesthood; and the kingdom, that is, the chief authority among his brethren. The first of these was given to Joseph; the second to Levi; and the third to Judah, to descend to their re-

Genesis 44:5

5. — for God did send me before you] When you

5.—thy two sons—are mine.] They shall be reckoned as if I had begotten them; and accordingly shall have, each of them, an inheritance, equal with the rest of my sons, and be distinct tribes. Thus he gives Joseph the right of primogeniture, who was indeed the firstborn of his intended wife; and bestows a double portion on him, by making his two sons equal to the rest of Jacob’s children. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:6

6. — neither be earing nor harvest.] The word “earing” suggests the idea of gathering ripe ears of corn: whereas Joseph means to say, “there shall be neither ploughing nor harvest during five years.” “Earing” is an old English word for “ploughing:” the word is used in the same sense in I Sam. viii. 12; Exod. xxxiv. 21; Isa. xxx. 24. In Deut. xxi. 4, it occurs in the sense of tillage, general labour, labour of any kind bestowed upon the ground. Fragments to Calmet.

7. — make them rulers over my cattle.] As Doeg was to Saul, 1 Sam. xxi. 7, and those great officers, mentioned 1 Chron. xxvii. 29, were to king David. The Eastern kings raised part of their revenue from cattle; as the Egyptians also did: having some principal officers to superintend the lower sort of shepherds. Bp. Patrick.

8. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, &c.] But as to whatever sons you shall hereafter have, I give them no such privilege as this. They shall not be the heads of tribes, but shall be sorted and comprehended in those of Ephraim and Manasseh. Pyle.

Genesis 44:7

7.—Rachel died by me] He intimates, that in memory of his most beloved wife Rachel, and to testify his affection for her, he adopted her grandsons to be, as it were, his sons by her; that so three of the tribes of his family might be descended and denominated from her offspring. Dr. Wells.

Genesis 44:8

8. — made me a father to Pharaoh.] Given me the authority of a father with him, so that he honours me, and does nothing without my advice and counsel. Bp. Patrick.

9. And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons.] But could not see distinctly who they were, on account of the dimness of his sight. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:9

9. — pilgrimage] So good men are wont to call their life, though they never stir from their native soil: looking upon it as a passage, not a settlement. But Jacob had reason to call his life so, more literally: having been tossed from place to place, ever since he went from his father’s house to Mesopotamia, and returned from thence into Canaan: where he dwelt sometime at Succoth; then at Shechem: and after that removed to Beth-el; and so to Hebron, unto his father Isaac; whence he was now come into Egypt. Bp. Patrick.

If we look into the story of those friends and favourites of Heaven, the ancestors of the Israelitish nation, we find them sojourning in a land that was not their’s;

Genesis 44:10

10. — the land of Goshen.] Part of lower Egypt, next to Arabia and Palestine; abounding with fair pastures, and watered by many streams from the Nile. Bp. Patrick.

Before CHRIST 1708. Joseph meeteth Jacob. CHAP. XLVI. He prepareth his brethren to meet Pharaoh. Before CHRIST 1706.

Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his †loins, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, all the souls were threescore and six;

Genesis 44:11

11. — in the land of Rameses.] So called perhaps by anticipation: the Israelites built a city of that name for Pharaoh in the land of Goshen, and the same name was given to the country. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.

Joseph buyeth the Egyptians’ goods, CHAP. XLVII. and all the land of Egypt. Before CHRIST 1701. Or, as a little child is neuroleth. according to the little ones. father’s household, with bread, ||†according to their families.

Genesis 44:12

12.—his knees.] That is, Jacob’s. When Jacob had ceased curesing them, Joseph, fearing his two sons might press too long or too hard on their grandfather by reason of his feebleness, took his sons from between his father’s legs, and in the most reverent manner thanked him for the kindness he had expressed to his children. Pyle, Dr. Wells.

Genesis 44:13

13.—toward Israel’s right hand.] Joseph so placed them, that his father might lay his right hand on Manasseh the eldest. The right hand being esteemed a token of the greater honour, 1 Kings ii. 19; Matt. xxv. 23. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 44:14

14. — into Pharaoh’s house.] Into the treasury. Bp. Patrick.

14.—laid it upon Ephraim’s head.] Laying hands on the head of any person was always used in this nation in

14.—who was the younger.] God chose from the beginning in several instances to prefer the younger before the elder; as Abel before Cain; Shem before Japheth; Isaac before Ishmael; Jacob before Esau; Judah and Joseph before Reuben; and here Ephraim before Manasseh; and afterwards, Moses before Aaron; and David, the youngest of all, before his elder brethren: to shew that the Divine benefits were not limited to the order of nature, but dispensed freely according to God’s most wise goodness. Bp. Patrick.

—guiding his hands wittingly.] He did it of choice, not by chance. Bp. Kidder.

—for] Or, although, as the Hebrew particle signifies. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 44:15

15.—he blessed Joseph.] In the blessing he bestowed on his children. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:16

16. — God hath found out the iniquity &c.] He ingenuously acknowledges that he and his brethren had been guilty of many sins, for which God had now brought them hither to suffer punishment. Yet he neither confesses this particular guilt, nor denies it, nor excuses it; but acknowledging God’s justice, throws himself and his brethren upon Joseph’s mercy. Bp. Patrick.

He meant their cruelty to Joseph, whom probably they now named, and began afresh to reproach each other with, as in chap. xlii. 21, &c. As Josephus thinks. Pyle.

16. The Angel which redeemed, &c.] That is, Christ, the Angel of the covenant, Mal. iii. 1, who led the Israelites, and whom they tempted, Exod. xiv. 19; and xxiii. 20; and 1 Cor. x. 9. To whom the title of Redeemer belongs, Isai. lix. 20. Who is called “the Angel of God,” chap. xxxi. 11; and the “God of Beth-el,” chap. xxxi. 13. Bp. Kidder.

—let my name be named on them.] Here he plainly adopts them for his children, as he before said he would. For to be called by one’s name, which is the same as

The younger preferred before the elder. GENESIS. Jacob calleth his sons a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Genesis 44:17

17. And when Joseph saw &c.] Joseph, supposing that his father, through weakness of sight, had committed a mistake in placing his hands, would have rectified it, before he began his blessing. Pyle.

Genesis 44:18

18. — second year.] That is, the next year after the sale of their cattle: this was the last year of the famine. Bp. Patrick. 19. Wherefore shall we die,—we and our land? The land is said to die, when it lies untilled and desolate. Bp. Patrick. — we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh.] We, that are free, will become the king’s bondmen; and our land, which was our own, we will hold of him. Bp. Patrick. — give us seed.] They desired corn, not merely for food, but also to sow, in hopes of a crop the next year. For Joseph had told them there should be but seven years of famine. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:19

19.—greater] In number, Numb. i. 33, 35; Deut. xxxiii. 17. And in dignity: for this is called the tribe of Joseph, Numb. i. 32, 34; Rev. vii. 8; and is put for the whole kingdom of Israel, Isai. vii. 2. Bp. Kidder.

— his seed shall become a multitude of nations.] How rapidly the tribe of Ephraim increased in its population, we may judge from the pedigree of Joshua, 1 Chron. vii. 20—27, who was in the tenth generation. Dr. Hales.

Genesis 44:20

20. And he blessed them that day.] He concluded with a solemn benediction upon them both. And when he pronounced it, “worshipped God,” as the Apostle tells us, Heb. xi. 21, “leaning upon the top of his staff.” This he did to support himself from falling. Bp. Patrick.

— In thee shall Israel bless.] When the Israelites, my posterity, would wish all happiness to others, they shall use this form of speech, “God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh;” which is said to continue among the Jews to this day. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:21

21. — he removed them to cities &c.] The people of Egypt were, before this time, almost entirely scattered

over the country; by which means, having fewer opportunities of conversing together, they were not only,

upon many occasions, left destitute of friendly help and assistance, but were also rude and unpolished; and unacquainted with the arts, necessary to improve life. To persuade men to combine together, and to unite several dispersed families, is a most difficult point: and those who have succeeded in such attempts, have been few. But Joseph, having gained the absolute power of the country, employed it to promote this useful end. Bp. Compeare. — from one end of the borders of Egypt &c.] Joseph did not, as some persons have imagined, transplant the

people to cities remote from their residence; but, consulting their convenience, only to the cities adjacent: the

people round about each store-city he brought into that city; and this he did throughout the whole extent of the country. The lands, thus voluntarily sold by the people, he farmed to the occupiers again, at the moderate and fixed crown rent of a fifth part of the produce. Thus did he provide for the liberty and independence of the people, while he strengthened the authority of the king, by rendering him sole proprietor of the lands.

And to secure the people from further exaction, “Joseph made it a law over the land of Egypt, that Pharaoh

should have only the fifth part;” which law subsisted

to the time of Moses, ver. 26. By this wise regulation, the people had four-fifths of the produce of the

lands for their own use, and were exempted from any further taxes; the king being bound to support his civil and military establishment out of the crown rents. Dr. Hales.

Genesis 44:22

22. Only the land of the priests bought he not;] The Egyptian priests were obliged to provide all sacrifices, and to bear all the charges of the national religion; and religion was in those days a matter of very great expense to them, who were to supply what was requisite for the

performance of the offices of it. The numerous sacrifices that were appointed to be offered in these times,

could not be provided, nor the preparations and ceremonies in offering them, performed, but at a very great

charge. The priests of Egypt were the whole body of

the nobility of the land: they were the king’s counsellors, and assistants: they were the professors and

cultivators of astronomy, without which, even agriculture itself could not have proceeded: they were the

keepers of the publick registers, memoirs, and chronicles of the kingdom: in a word, under the king, they were the magistrates; and filled all the prime offices. If we consider them in some or other of these views, Pharaoh Israel dwelleth in Egypt. Joseph with his sons visiteth Jacob. Before CHRIST 1701.

ple, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land.

22.—which I took out of the hand of the Amorite] It is probable, that Jacob bought this part, which he here gives to Joseph, of Shechem’s father, chap. xxxiii. 19: and that upon Jacob’s removal, after the Shechemites were destroyed, the Amorite took possession of it, whom Jacob upon his return dispossessed by force of arms, and recovered his unquestionable right. Bp. Kidder.

This parcel of land he here promised to the posterity of Joseph, though it should not fall to their lot on the division of Canaan. It did however lie in that part, which fell by lot to Joseph’s descendants; Providence

Genesis 44:23

23.—Behold, I have bought you this day] The bargain could not be denied; but he would not be so rigid as to insist upon it strictly. He requires only a fifth part of the increase of their ground for the king; and tells them the rest shall be their own. Herein he shewed himself both a good man, and a wise statesman; in taking away all matter of complaint from the people. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:27

27.—all the souls,—which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.] There is a remarkable difference between this verse and the foregoing: there those only are numbered who came with Jacob into Egypt, amounting to no more than threescore and six: but here are numbered all that came into Egypt, first and last, comprehending Jacob, Joseph and his two sons, and making up threescore and ten. Bp. Patrick.

The whole account of Jacob’s sons and grandsons, who went along with him into Egypt, stands thus: by Leah, thirty-two; by Zilpah, sixteen; by Rachel, eleven; by Bilbah, seven: in all sixty-six, exclusive of Jacob himself, and of Joseph and his two sons, which make up the seventy: and it was necessary that these genealogies should be exactly registered, not only to distinguish each tribe, and thereby discover the Messiah, when He came; but (as it is in the case before us) to make it apparent, that the increase of Israel, even under oppression, should bear a fair proportion to the promise made to Abraham, concerning the multiplication of his seed. Stackhouse.

Genesis 44:28

28. And he sent Judah before him] Who seems by the whole story to have been the most eminent, among Jacob’s children, when Joseph was gone; and to have given good proof, a little before, how much he was concerned for his father. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.

—to direct his face unto Goshen:] To give Joseph notice of his coming, and to receive directions in what part of Goshen he should remain. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 44:29

29.—If now I have found grace in thy sight,] If thou lovest me. Bp. Patrick.

—put—thy hand under my thigh, &c.] Swear to me, that thou wilt shew me true kindness, in promising and performing what I desire. Bp. Patrick. See note on chap. xxiv. ver. 2.

Genesis 44:30

30.—I will lie with my fathers, &c.] Besides the desire, natural to men, of being buried with their forefathers, Jacob had this peculiar reason for his request; namely, his belief, that the country, where their bodies lay, was his in reversion; and that God, in his due time, would put his children into possession of it: for which time they would long more earnestly, because the bodies of their ancestors were there buried. Jacob requires an oath of Joseph, not because he doubted of Joseph’s inclination, but to make it an argument for

Genesis 44:31

31.—Israel bowed himself upon the bed’s head.] Raised up his head from his pillow, and bowed, either to Joseph, in thankfulness for his promise; or to God, for the assurance he had received, that he should be buried with his pious forefathers. Bp. Patrick. Or it may be, he laid himself down upon his pillow, as weak men are accustomed to do, after they have sat up some time, for the dispatch of business. Stackhouse.

Chap. XLVIII. ver. 1.—one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick.] On receiving this intelligence, Joseph delayed not, we find, to leave the court of Pharaoh, the cares and greatness of his station in it, in order to pay the last visit to his dying parent, and to place before him the hopes of his house and family, in the persons of his two sons. Nothing can well be more solemn or interesting than this interview; more honourable or consoling to old age, or more expressive of the dignified piety of the best of sons and the greatest of men. Archdeacon Paley.

Genesis 44:33

33. — let thy servant abide &c.] Thus God makes use of afflictions, to humble us, and bring us to a sense of our sins: and we see their power in this very instance. He who could not endure Joseph, because

he was dear to his father, is willing, for the very same reason, to become a bond-slave for Joseph’s brother. Bp. Wilson.

Genesis 44:34

34. — For how shall I go up to my father,] I must abide here too, if thou wilt not dismiss him; for I am not able to see my father die.

Nothing could be said more affecting, than this speech of Judah, which flowed from such natural passions, as no art can imitate. Which makes me wish, that they who think these historical books of Scripture were written with no spirit, but that with which honest men now write the history of their country, or the lives of any famous persons, would seriously read and consider this speech of Judah’s to Joseph, together with the foregoing dialogue between Jacob and his sons; and I hope it may

Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren, and comforteth them. Before CHRIST 1707. # CHAP. XLV.

34.—ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade &c.—that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen:] There must have been shepherds in those parts before; otherwise Joseph could not have foreseen, that, on telling their occupation, the land would be necessarily given to his brethren. And when they are presented before the king, he at once determines this place of residence for them, chap. xlvii. 5, 6. They were most probably the Arabian or Cuthite shepherds, who had been previously in possession of this land, from whence they had been lately ejected. The whole kingdom had been in subjection to their kings. But they were obliged to retire, being ex-

pelled by the natives. The other parts of the kingdom were immediately occupied. But pasturage being contrary to the taste of the Egyptians, this particular region lay, in a great measure, neglected. Hence we have a satisfactory reason for the Israelites finding such easy access into the country, so as not only to dwell in it, but to have the land of Goshen given them for a possession, even the best of the land of Egypt. Bryant.

—for every shepherd is an abomination &c.] See note on chap. xlii. 9. The promise which God had made to Abraham, to give his posterity the land of Canaan, could not be performed till Abraham’s family was grown strong enough to take and keep possession of it. In the mean time therefore they were necessitated to reside among idolaters, and to reside unmixed; but whoever examines their history, will see, that the Israelites ever had a violent propensity to join themselves to Gentile nations, and to practise their manners. God therefore, in His infinite wisdom, brought them into Egypt, and kept them there during this period, the only place, where they could remain for so long a time safe, and unconfounded with the natives: the ancient Egyptians being, by numerous institutions, forbidden all fellowship with strangers, and bearing besides a particular aversion to the profession of the Israelites, who were shepherds. Thus from the Israelites going into Egypt arises a new occasion to adore the footsteps of Eternal Wisdom, in his dispensations to his chosen people. Bp. Warburton.

—is an abomination unto the Egyptians.] It was an instance of Joseph’s great modesty and love of truth, that he was not ashamed of an employment, so vile in the sight of the Egyptians. He might have instructed his brethren to conceal their way of life: or he might have told them to lay before Pharaoh the dignity of their descent, and the wonderful history of their forefathers; men, great in their generations, and honoured with revelations from God Himself. But by this open declaration his object seems to have been, to render as conspicuous as possible the wonderful chain of the Divine counsels, in raising him from so humble a condition to an elevation of such dignity and power. Stackhouse.

Joseph presenteth his brethren, and his father, before Pharaoh. Before CHRIST 1700. # CHAP. XLVII.