Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:17
And he put them all together into ward three days.
17. put them into ward ] i.e. “in charge, or safe keeping”; as in Gen 40:3. Not “in prison,” as in Gen 39:20. Joseph’s treatment sounds to us harsh and cruel. Arbitrary confinement, however, was, and is, only too common in the East. The brethren would be a prey to the sickening dread either of being brought out only to be executed, or of being prevented from returning to their homes.
Joseph himself had endured a long experience of captive life in Egypt.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
17-24. put them . . . into wardthree daysTheir confinement had been designed to bring them tosalutary reflection. And this object was attained, for they lookedupon the retributive justice of God as now pursuing them in thatforeign land. The drift of their conversation is one of the moststriking instances on record of the power of conscience [Gen 42:21;Gen 42:22].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he put them all together into ward three days. In order to consult together, and agree who should be sent to fetch their brother; and which it seems probable in this length of time they could not agree upon, no one caring to be the bringer of such evil tidings to their father.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17. And he put them altogether into ward. Here, not by words only, as before, but by the act itself, Joseph shows himself severe towards his brethren, when he shuts them all up in prison, as if about to bring them to punishment: and during three days torments them with fear. We said a little while ago, that from this act no rule for acting severely and rigidly is to be drawn; because it is doubtful whether he acted rightly or otherwise. Again, it is to be feared lest they who plead his example should be far removed from his mildness, and that they should prove to be rather his apes than his true imitators. Meanwhile, it plainly appears what he was aiming at; for he does not mitigate their punishment, as if at the end of three days he was appeased; but he renders them more anxious about the redemption of their brother, whom he retains as a hostage. Lest, however, immoderate fear should deter them from returning, he promises to act with good faith towards them: and to convince them of that, he declares that he fears God, which expression is worthy of observation. Doubtless he speaks from the inward feeling of his heart, when he declares that he will deal well and truly with them, because he fears God. Therefore the commencement and the fountain of that good and honest conscience, whereby we cultivate fidelity and justice towards men, is the fear of God. There appears indeed some probity in the despisers of God; but it soon goes off in smoke, unless the depraved affections of the flesh are restrained as with a bridle, by the thought that God is to be feared, because he will be the Judge of the world. For whoever does not think that he must render an account, will never so cultivate integrity as to refrain from pursuing what he supposes will be useful to himself. Wherefore, if we wish to be free from perfidy, craft, cruelty, and all wicked desire of doing injure, we must labor earnestly that religion may flourish among us. For whenever we act with want of sincerity or humanity towards each other, impiety openly betrays itself. For whatever there is of rectitude or justice in the world, Joseph comprised in this short sentence, when he said, that he feared God.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
17. Put them all together Hebrews, Gathered, or, assembled them to prison . He huddled them together in one cell . This might remind them of their casting Joseph into the pit . Gen 37:24. But Joseph’s character and tender heart forbid our supposing that his severity towards his brethren was in retaliation for their sins against him. He doubtless sought in this way to test them, and find out their feeling toward Jacob and Benjamin. And in all this he was acting, in a way which he scarcely comprehended, the part of a minister of retribution. God used him and his methods to chasten and punish those who were virtually guilty of his blood. He seems all through to have entertained dark suspicions of his brethren. How could he else, when his experience at their hands showed them to be utterly heartless and cruel? He proposes to find out if Benjamin still lives, and what their feeling is towards him. Also, if his father still lives, and whether they love or hate him. He may find it necessary to become the avenger of their blood.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And he put them all together into custody for three days.’
This may well have been in the same prison where he himself had been held. Certainly it would give them a taste of the terror he had known. He felt that it was something that they should know, and they were not immature young men like he had been.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 42:17 And he put them all together into ward three days.
Ver. 17. And he put them all together into ward three days. ] Not into close prison, but into some chamber, or private room, where they might have opportunity of reflecting upon themselves, and repenting. a I have heard of a grave divine, lately living, that did much good upon many that came to him to crave alms, by shutting them up in a room by themselves, having first taken great pains with them by way of direction what to do to be saved, joining in prayer, setting them in a course of better living, and then providing for them fit services. b
a In conclave aliquod, ubi custodiebantur. – Pisc.
b Dr Chetwind, Dean of Brist.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
put them . . . into ward. Second step: to alarm.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
put: Heb. gathered, Isa 24:22, Act 5:18
ward: Gen 40:4, Gen 40:7, Gen 41:10, Lev 24:12, Psa 119:65, Act 4:3, Heb 12:10
Reciprocal: Gen 50:15 – Joseph Act 12:10 – the first