Genesis 43

Jacob being prest by famine, and his sons importunity, especially the remonstrance of Juda; he gives way at length for Benjamin’s going along with them into Egypt, with presents for the Governour, and double money to satisfy the former mistake, v. 1. Etc. Joseph seeing Benjamin among the rest, causeth them to be brought to his house; whereat they being troubled, and afraid it was about the money they had back in their sacks, they make their application to Joseph’s Steward, who bids them be of good cheer, 16. They prepare and bring in the presents to Joseph, who speaks kindly to them, especially with Benjamin, whereby he is so moved, that he must retire to weep; after which he entertains them with a very solemn Feast, but Benjamin in an especial manner, 23.

1. The famine now grew heavy in that Country: [viz. the land of Canaan, and others thereabout.]

2. So it happened, when they had eaten up the Provision [Heb. when they ended, or, made an end to eat, i.e. when their provision was near spent] which they had brought out of Egypt, that their father said to them: Turn again, buy us a little food.

3. Then Juda spoke to him, saying : That man [viz. the Lord of Egypt, as also above chapter 42. 33. And here verse 5, 6, 7, & c.] hath in the highest manner testified unto us, [Hebr. Testifying hath testified] saying; Ye shall not see my face, [i.e. ye shall not be admitted into my presence. See this phrase likewise, 2 Sam. 14. 24, 28, 32. Acts 20:25, 38.] unless your brother be with you [Benjamin namely]

4. If thou sendest our brother with us, we will go down, and buy thee food.

5. But if thou send (him) not, we shall not go down : for that man told us: Ye shall not see my face, unless your brother be with you.

6. And Israel said; wherefore did ye so ill by me: that ye told that man whether [or, telling that man, that] ye had brother yet?

7. And they said: That man enquired very narrowly after us [Heb. asking he asked] and after our kindred, saying; lives your father yet? Have ye a brother yet? So we told him according to the same words. [Heb. after the mouth of the same words, i.e. according as those questions did require.] did we know justly, that he would say, bring down your brother?

8. Then said Juda to Israel his Father; Send the youth with me; then we shall get us up and journey; that we may live, and not die, [viz. of famine] neither we, nor thou, nor our little children.

9. I will be surety for him; from my hand shalt thou require him: if I do not bring him to thee, and set him before thy face, I shall have sinned against thee all days [i.e. be guilty and blame-worthy all the days of my life. Thus the word, to sin, or be a sinner, is taken below ch. 44. 32. 1 Kings 1:21.]

10. For had we not delayed, verily, we might have been returned twice.

11. Then said Israel their father to them; is thus now? Then do this; [as if he said: If this be the case, or if things be thus conditioned, then let it be done in God’s name] Take of the most commendable [i.e. that which for its worth and goodness is most commended and esteemed. Some hold this to be mearnt of very rare and excellent fruit, which were to be cut off from the trees] of this land, into your vessels, and carry down a present to that man; a little balm, [see of this and some following spiciries, above chapter 37. On verse 25.] and a little honey, spiciries, myrrhe, turpentine, nuts, [Oth. Pine-apple-nuts, or, hazel-nuts.] and almonds.

12. And take double money [i.e. as much again as formerly, the death being much increased since, above verse 1.] in your hand: and the money which returned in the mouth of your sacks, carry again in your hand; per-adventure it is a failing. [i.e. it may have come to pass by some mistake or other, that the money was returned into your sacks thus.]

13. Take likewise your brother along: and get you up, return to that man.

14. And God the Almighty [see above chapter 17. ver. 1] give you mercy before the face of that man, that he may let your other brother and Benjamin go with you: and as for me, if I am bereft of children, I am bereft. [as if he said: if it must be so, that my children be kept from me, the Lord’s will be done, I remit the issue of this business wholly unto him. See the like kind of expression, Esther 4:16. Otherwise, As I am bereft of children, (viz. of Joseph and Simeon) lo I am bereft. (viz. of Benjamin too)]

15. And those men took that present, and took double money in their hand, and Benjamin: and they gate them up, and went down to Egypt, and they stood before the face of Joseph.

16. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to him, that was over his house; Bring these men home, and slay slaughter-cattle, [Heb. slay slaying, i.e. of such cattle as is used to be slain for man’s food. Compare Proverbs 9:2.] and make it ready: for these men shall dine with me.

17. The man now did as Joseph had said, and the man brought these men to Joseph’s house.

18. Then these men were afraid, for being brought to Joseph’s house, [They knew not that they were invited to dinner there, but conceived, they should be secured in the house, and be charged with, or punished for the money carried back.] and said; we are brought in by reason of that money was returned into our sacks at the beginning: [i.e. in our first Journey hither. See above chapter 42. 25.] that he may surprise us [or, rowl, or welter himself over us, i.e. cast an heavy charge upon us to our confusion and ruin, even as a body remains opprest, when an heavy burden lights upon him,] and fall upon us, and ensnare us [it is held, that the Egyptians were wont to punish theft with slavery] together with our asses.

19. Therefore they drew near to that man, that was over Joseph’s house: [viz. for to excuse themselves, before any charge should be laid against them for that money] and they spoke to him, at the door of the house.

20. And they said; O my Lord: [The Hebrew phrase here is commonly used by those, who being in any distress, address themselves for advice or relief to a greater. So Exodus 4:10. Numbers 12:15.] we were indeed come down [Heb. descending, we descended] in the beginning, [see above on verse 18.] for to buy food.

21. Now it happened, when we came into the Inn, and we opened our sacks, behold every one’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in its weight: [They relate the matter here not just so, nor so distinctly, as the same did happen; for, but one of them had found his money in his sack by the way, and the rest at home, above chapter 42. Verse 27, 35. But it seems, they did it here in his manner, either for brevities sake, or in subtilty.] and we have brought the same again in our hand.

22. We have likewise brought down other money in our hand, to buy food: we know not who laid our money in our sacks.

23. And he said; Peace be unto you; [or, peace shall be to you, i.e. your case is safe and good, ye need not fear, be of good cheer.] Your God, and your Father’s God [it should seem that this servant was instructed in the true Religion by Joseph] hath given you a treasure [or, some hidden matter] into your sacks; your money is to come to me: [i.e. I have received your money] and he brought Simon forth unto them.

24. After that, the man brought these men into Joseph’s house, and he gave water, and they washed their feet: [see above chapter 18. Verse 4.] he gave likewise provender to their asses.

25. And they prepared the present, until Joseph came at noon: for they had heard, that they should eat bread there. [i.e. stay at dinner, or take their repast there. See above chapter 31. On verse 54.]

26. Now when Joseph was come home, they brought him the present, which was in their hand, into the house: and they bowed themselves down [see above chapter 37. Verse 7.] before him to the ground.

27. And he enquired after (their) welfare. [Heb. asked them after the peace, i.e. concerning their welfares; or, how it went with them since. So Exodus 18:7. Judges 18:15. 1 Samuel 25:5. Of the word peace. See above ch. 29. On verse 6.] the old (man) of whom ye spoke? Doth he live yet?

28. And they said; it is well with thy servant our Father, he lives yet: and they inclined the head, and bowed themselves down.

29. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother’s son, and said; is this your least brother, of whom ye spoke to me? Then he said; God be gracious to thee, my son. [Thus he calls him, out of kindness and affection, after the manner of them, who, being more advanced in age and gravity, or authority, find cause to speak friendly and kindly to those of younger years and meaner condition.]

30. And Joseph made haste: for his bowels were kindled toward his brother, [the bowels of a man do properly signify his inward parts, such as are the heart, are much moved, and heated, when one hath an object of pity and compassion itself, as proceeding from the inmost of the heart of man, 1 Kings 3:26. Philippians 2:5. Colossians 3:12.] and he sought to weep: and he went into a Chamber and wept there.

31. After that, he wasted his face, and came forth : and he forced himself [viz. from weeping. See cha. 45. Verse 1.] and said; Set up the bread. [i.e. serve in the meat, bring up dinner.]

32. And they set up before him [Joseph] apart, [in token of his dignity, and for the respect, due to his place.] and for them [Joseph his brethren] apart; and for the Egyptians, that did eat with him, apart: for the Egyptians may eat no bread with the Hebrews, because the same is an abomination to the Egyptians. [in regard of their idolatrous Religion, whereby they exhibited divine worship to calves, oxen, & c. whom the Hebrews did slay and eat. Compare below, chapter 46. Verse 34. Exodus 8:26.]

33. And they sat before his face, [i.e. over against him.] the first-born according to his primogeniture, and the younger according to his youth: [Heb. the little (one) according to his littleness.] of which the men marveled [not only that Joseph showed them so much honour, but especially, that they were placed all, every one according to his age and seniority, which they conceived, was altogether unknown to him] among themselves [Heb. the man to his neighbour.]

34. And he reached them of the messes, that were before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times greater, than the messes of Benjamin above the messes of them all: [Heb. he multiplied the messes of Benjamin above the messes of them all, five hands, i.e. by five parts, five times as much.] and they drank, and they were drunk with him [i.e. they were merry and cheerful. The Hebrew word doth not always signify to over-charge one’s self with excess of wine; but sometimes only to be cheered with the drinking of it. See Psalms 104:15. Song of Solomon 5:1. Haggai 1:6. As also the Greek word is taken, John 2:10.]