Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:14
And Joseph said unto them, That [is it] that I spoke unto you, saying, Ye [are] spies:
14. That is it that I spake ] Joseph seems to say that their claim to be all the sons of one man is improbable and suspicious. If these suspicions are to be removed, their statements must be verified. Their statement was either the needless embroidery of a falsehood, or it was a detail of actual life that could easily be proved. Joseph’s real object is to find out about Benjamin, whether he was alive, and well treated by his brothers. It is a delicate touch in the story, that he abstains from cross questioning them about the brother that “is not.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
This justifies my accusation; for it is not probable that one man should have so many sons, all grown up and living together in one family, and that he should expose them all to the perils of such a journey.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Joseph said unto them, that [is it] that I spake unto you, saying, ye [are] spies. This proves it, at least gives strong suspicion of it; since at first they seemed to speak of themselves, as if they were the only sons of one man and there were no more, now they speak of twelve, and make mention of one being at home with his father; but seeing he sent so many of them, why not all? why should one only be left at home?
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 14-20:
Joseph persisted in his accusation against the brothers. His purpose was two-fold: 1) to be reunited with his brother Benjamin; and 2) to bring the brothers to repentance of their sin. The root problem was bitterness and anger in the heart of the brothers; the outward manifestation was their violent and cruel act of selling Joseph as a slave. They were aware of what they had done, as Joseph quickly determined. But they must be made aware of the underlying cause, and repent of this sin. ‘
Joseph ordered the brothers arrested and jailed. He proposed that one of them return to Canaan, and bring Benjamin back to Egypt as verification of their innocence. The other nine were to remain in custody as hostages until their innocence could be established. After three days, Joseph summoned the brothers before him, and offered another proposal. He affirmed his faith in God, Elohim, as the basis for his leniency. This proposal was that one of the brothers remain in custody as a hostage, while the other nine should return to their families with food to alleviate their distress. The nine were specifically commanded to return to Egypt with their younger brother, in order to verify their story. Otherwise, the hostage brother would die.
“Be sure your sin will find you out” is true in all ages (Nu 32:23). Joseph’s brothers provide a prime example of this truth (Mt 10:26; Lu 12:2).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(14) That is it . . . Joseph persists in his charge, because, besides the information which he gained, he also wished to get Benjamin into his power, that he might have him with him. As for his brethren, he had probably as yet no settled purpose, but naturally he would feel great indignation at the treatment he had experienced at their hands, and might not be unwilling to give them some degree of punishment.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies. You will prove yourselves in this way. By the life of Pharaoh you shall not go forth from here unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number and let him fetch your brother, and you shall be put in custody so that your words may be proved, whether there is truth in you. Or else by the life of Pharaoh you are surely spies.” ’
Joseph intends that just as he went into slavery and then into custody they too will experience the same. He wants them to taste something of what he had known to see how they will come out of it. Thus he proposes that one should go and return with this supposed youngest son while the remainder are held in custody.
“You shall be put in custody.” Literally, ‘you shall be bound’. But in Genesis 40 ‘being bound’ is mentioned frequently where men clearly had some freedom (Gen 42:3-5 compare Gen 39:20). Therefore it may or may not include being restricted with ropes.
To swear by the life of Pharaoh was a solemn oath for the life of Pharaoh was the life of a god. Perhaps he is ensuring that they realise he is a true Egyptian.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 42:14. That is it that I spake This confirms what I said, and gives me just grounds for suspicion that you really are spies: you pretend to have another brother; why then should your father not have sent all, as well as so many. Hereby ye shall be proved; this is the very point in which I will try you.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 42:14 And Joseph said unto them, That [is it] that I spake unto you, saying, Ye [are] spies:
Ver. 14. That is it that I spake unto you. ] He lays it hard to them still: as who should say, The longer I hear you, the worse I like you; ere while ye said, ye were ten brethren of you: now you acknowledge two more: liars had need to have good memories, &c. a Be we as jealous of Satan, and as watchful against his wiles, when he comes to set out the nakedness of our souls; that where the hedge is lowest, this beast may leap over; watch him, I say, and “learn out his haunts,” for we have heard and felt that he is very subtle; as Saul said of David, 1Sa 23:22 .
a Mendacem oportet esse memorem.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 42:9-11, Job 13:24, Job 19:11, Mat 15:21-28
Reciprocal: Gen 42:7 – roughly unto them