Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 43:27
And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spoke? [Is] he yet alive?
27. of their welfare ] Lit. “as to their peace.”
Is your father well ] Lit. “is there peace [to] your father.” 2Sa 20:9, “Is it well with thee,” lit. = “Art thou peace, my brother?” Psa 120:7, “I am [for] peace.” The word shlm in these passages is a substantive, i.e. “peace,” “health,” “welfare”: cf. Gen 29:6, Gen 37:4.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 27. And he asked them of their welfare] This verse may be thus translated: “And he asked them concerning their prosperity; and he said, is your father prosperous, the old man who ye told me was alive? And they said, Thy servant our father prospers; he is yet alive.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And he asked them of [their] welfare,…. Or “peace” b, 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.
b “ad pacem”, Montanus, “de pace”, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator, Schmidt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
‘And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” ’
The question, put through an interpreter, would be recognised as simply a formal courtesy. They could not know with what eagerness Joseph awaited their reply. It has now been some long time since he has seen them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 43:27. Is your father well, &c. Houbigant renders it, Is your father well, who, ye told me, was yet alive? They answered, Our father is well; for he is yet alive. Nothing can be more tender and affecting than this scene. He calls Benjamin, my son, Gen 43:29 which was a courteous appellation, wherewith superiors usually saluted those beneath them.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 43:27 And he asked them of [their] welfare, and said, [Is] your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? [Is] he yet alive?
Ver. 27. And he asked them of their welfare. ] Heb., Of their peace; which is a comprehensive, voluminous mercy.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
your father . . . the old man = your aged father.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
welfare: Heb. peace, Gen 37:14, Gen 41:16, Exo 18:7, Jdg 18:15, 1Sa 17:22, 1Sa 25:5, 1Ch 18:10
Is your father well: Heb. Is there peace to your father, the old. Gen 42:11, Gen 42:13
Reciprocal: Gen 29:6 – Is he well 2Sa 8:10 – salute him