Genesis 45

Vcr. 1. \jOULD not refrain himself. Tears began to run down his checks; or, were ready to burst out with such violence that he could not hinder tliem. Cause every man to go out from me.’] lie would not have the Egyptians to be witnesses of his brethren’s guilt;" nor did it become his dignity to be seen by them in such d passion: and therefore he commanded those that attended him to leave him alone with his brethren. *Ver. 2. He wept aloud.] Which we express very properly in our language, he’cried. t For tears having been long suppressed, are wont, when they break out, to be accompanied with some noise. And the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.] They whom he sent forth; being in the next rooms, heard him cry, and reported what a passion he was in to the whole court.

Genesis 45:3

I am Joseph. This word made them start; as appears by the next verse. Doth my father yet live?],May I believe what you have told me? (xliii. 28.) He saith not this because he doubted of it: but to express his joy at that good news. And they could not answer him.] Being astonished, as it follows, at his presence. For they could not but reflect upon their cruel usage of him; arid now saw him in full power to punish them.

Genesis 45:4

Come near to me, I pray you. This, I think, signifies, that they had started back, as men affrighted: and therefore he invites them kindly to approach him. I am Joseph your brother.] This word brother, added to what he said before, (ver. 3.) was a comfort to them. For it shewed that his greatness did *not make’him forget his relation. Whom you sold into Egypt.] Nor their uhkindness alienated his affection from them.

Genesis 45:5

Noiv therefore be not grieved, fcc. t)o not afflict yourselves too much for your sin, because God hath turned it into good.- God sent me before yon, &c] When you thought only to be rid of me, God intended another thing, which is now come to pass..For he hath made me an instrument of preserving all your lives. A most happy event of amost wicked deed!. Ver. C. Neither earing nor harvest.] Or, lib ploughing, sowing, or harvest., For to what purpose should they sow, when they knew (if they believed Joseph) that nothing would come of it?.

Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you, &;c. He repeats what he had said, (ver. 5.) concerning the hand of God in this business; that, by fixing their thoughts upon his providence, they might be less oppressed with the weight of their own guilt. To save your lives by a great deliverance.] In a wonderful manner.

Genesis 45:8

It teas not you, but God, &c. He’mentions this a third time, that they might see he did not think so much •on their unkindness, as on God’s great goodness: and therefore be Confident, he would not remember what they had done to him; but what God had done for them all. Hath made me a father unto Pharaoh.] Given mc the authority of a father with him; so that he honours me, and doth nothing without my advice and counsel. And there was very good reason for it, his wisdom being so great and experienced, " Ut non ah homine sed;\ Deo responsa dari viderentur," (as Trogus, an ancient historian among the heathen, observes) that his ansivers Seemed not to be given by a man, but by God. Which made him " regi percharum," very dear to the king, as the same author relates, who tells also the story of his being sold by his brethren; who envied his excellent wit. (See Justin, lib. kxxVi. cap. 2.) Lord of all his house.] The principal person in his court* And hder throughout all the land of Egypt.] Chief governor of the whole country, in which were several provinces, which hdd distinct governors, who were all under the government of Joseph.

Genesis 45:10

TMu shall “dwell in the land of Goshen. This was that part of the lower Egypt which lfty next to Arabia and Palestine, abounding with fair pastures, being watered by many streams from the Nile. Certain it is, it lay next to Canaan; for Jacob went directly thither when he came into Egypt, and stayed there till Joseph came to him,(xlvi. And thou shall be near nnto me.] Therefore the royal city (where Joseph resided, that he might be always near to Pharaoh) was at this time in the lower Egypt, at Zoan, (Psal. Ixxviii. 43.) which other authors call Tanis; which was situated not far from that mouth of the Nile Avhich Plutarch calls rdviTiKov <rr6fia. For that partof Egypt is called the higher Where Nile runs only in one stream; that the lower where it divides into many; and from its triangular form is called by the Greeks AAra. In the eastern part of which, or very near it, towards the Red Sea, was this country, called’the land of Goshen. This argues the great authority of Joseph, that he makes such promises as these, before he had asked the consent of Phhraoh.

Genesis 45:12

And behold, your eyes see, &c. You chnnot but be convinced, by the lineaments you see in my face, and by the language which I speak,: and by all the things which I have related concerning the state of our family, that indeed it is your brother Joseph who speaks to you. Or, more simply, you have it not by hearsay, which might deceive you; but are eye-witnesses that I am alive, itnd say these things to yon.

Genesis 45:13

Tell my father of all my glory. Of the great honour which is? done me in Egypt.

Genesis 45:15

His brethren talked with him. After their fright was over, and he had so affectionately embraced them, they conversed freely and familiarly with him; acknowledging, it is likely, their crime, and acquainting him with what had passed in their family since’ they committed it. -

Genesis 45:16

And the fame thereof Sec. All the court rang (as we speak) with the news of Joseph’s brethren being come; and tMt they were to fetch their father and settle iii Egypt. For Joseph (it appears by the next verse) went and acquainted: Pharaoh with his desire. And it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.] No wonder that Pharaoh, who had raised Joseph so high, was pleased to be kind to his father and family; and the court follows the pleasure of the-king.

Genesis 45:17

Pharaoh said unto Joseph, &c. This no doubt Microsoft ® CHAP, XLVI-] UPON GENESIS. was the answer Pharaoh made to Joseph’s petition; wherein he grants him not only what he asked, but all conducing to it. Ver. IS. I will give you the good of the land, &c] The richest part of the country, which produces the noblest fruits.

Genesis 45:19

Noiv thou art commanded. Now that thou hast my warrant for it, go about it presently.

Genesis 45:20

Regard not your stuff. If there be not waggons enough to bring all your stuff, do not matter it; you shall have better here. But the -Vulgar seems to take it in a quite contrary sen^e, as if he had said, Leave nothing behind you; but bring all you have with you, if you think good: though whatsoever the land of Egypt affords is all yours. AH the good of the land of Egypt, &c] You shall not want when you come hither, if it be to be had in Egypt.

Genesis 45:21

Gave them waggons. And horses, no doubt, to draw them; with which Egypt abounded.

Genesis 45:22

To each man changes of raiment. Two vests, or robes, as St. Jerome translates it: otherwise there >vould not have been a change. These were part of the. ancient riches, as much as money.

Genesis 45:23

After this manner,. The Hebrew word qezoth signifies, according to that which he had given to Benjamin, i. e. money, and several changes of raiment: besides what follows, “ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt/’ &c. Bread and meat.] i. e. All manner of provision.

Genesis 45:24

See that ye fall not out, &c. About what you have formerly done to me, or any thing else that I have said to you. But when you reflect upon younselling me, adore the providence of God, which by that means brought about your happiness and mine.

Genesis 45:26

His heart fainted. At the mention of Joseph’s name he fell into a swoon; being fully persuaded he was dead, and giving no credit to what; they said of bis being alive.

Genesis 45:27

And they told him all the words of Joseph. When he was come to himself, they, related all that had passed between them and Joseph; how great a man he was, and how desirous to see him, &c. (ver. 13.) And when he saw the waggons.] Had not only heard their relation, but saw also those carriages (which,no doubt were splendid, and suitable to Joseph’s quality) that were come to bring him into Egypt, he looked upon them as a sufficient confirmation of the good news. The spirit of Jacob revived.] Which Bochart translates, “• Pristino vigori rcstitutus est/’ he wasrestored to his former vigour. Not only recovered, perfectly from his fainting fit, but raised to a greater liveliness than he had felt since the loss of Joseph.

Genesis 45:28

It is enough, &c. I wish for no more but to see him; and then I shall be content to*dic.