Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:29
And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
Gen 42:29-35
They came unto Jacob
Lessons
1.
Providence carrieth guilty souls in, through, and out of temporal dangers at His will.
2. Gracious fathers are gratified sometimes from God by safe return of sinful children.
3. Reason will instruct men to declare all events of Providence furthering, or hindering in the way (Gen 42:29).
4. In relation of providential events truth must be declared; yet no need of telling all.
5. In relating providences, evil men are willing to hide sins which caused them.
6. It concerns suspected, and accused persons to declare what is required for their purgation. Upon this these sons of Jacob make this narration of themselves and others (Gen 42:30-34). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Lessons
1. Providence ordereth to creatures strange things at home, as well as abroad.
2. God ordereth good in events to men, which they are apt to think bad.
3. Mistakes of Providence may make men fear where no cause is (Gen 42:35). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
Money causing fear
Gold and silver are bright metals. They dazzle the eye of the greater part of mankind. Achan saw a gold wedge, and, in defiance of an awful curse, took it to his tent. Yet when Jacob and his sons saw heaps of money in the mouths of their sacks, they were terrified as if they had seen a serpent. For what reason were they afraid at a sight so generally desired? They thought that this money was a snare laid for their lives. And have not many rich men still greater reason to tremble when they look at their gold and silver? All money unjustly got, or unrighteously or unmercifully kept, is a snare to the possessor, and will rise up to witness against him in the day of accounts. Such riches are corrupted and cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against the owners, and eat their flesh as it were fire. But Jacob and his sons had no good reason to be afraid when they saw the money. It came not from an artful knave, but from a kind son and brother, who was tenderly solicitous about his father and brethren, that they should not come to poverty. Our fears often proceed from our ignorance and mistake. We are afraid of those evils that will never come, and stand in no fear of those that will come. Happy are they who can commit all their affairs to Him who knows everything that shall befall us. Jacobs sons were afraid at the inn, when they were told of money in one of their sacks. But the fears which they had endeavoured to forget were awakened anew at the opening of all their sacks. Every little circumstance heightens the distress of minds already dejected; and therefore, in dangerous circumstances, it is necessary to our peace and happiness to have our minds fortified with the consolations of God. The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth, but the righteous is bold as a lion. (G. Lawson, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
And they came unto Jacob their father, unto the land of Canaan,…. Without being pursued and fetched back, or retarded in their journey as they might fear:
and told him all that befell unto them; chiefly what befell them while in Egypt:
saying, as follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
On their arrival at home, they told their father all that had occurred.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| The Report Made to Jacob. | B. C. 1706. |
29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying, 30 The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country. 31 And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies: 32 We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. 33 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone: 34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land. 35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. 36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. 37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again. 38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befal him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Here is, 1. The report which Jacob’s sons made to their father of the great distress they had been in in Egypt; how they had been suspected, and threatened, and obliged to leave Simeon a prisoner there, till they should bring Benjamin with them thither. Who would have thought of this when they left home? When we go abroad we should consider how many sad accidents, that we little think of, may befal us before we return home. We know not what a day may bring forth; we ought therefore to be always ready for the worst. 2. The deep impression this made upon the good man. The very bundles of money which Joseph returned, in kindness to his father, frightened him (v. 35); for he concluded it was done with some mischievous design, or perhaps suspected his own sons to have committed some offence, and so to have run themselves into a prmunire–a penalty, which is intimated in what he says (v. 36): Me have you bereaved. He seems to lay the fault upon them; knowing their characters, he feared they had provoked the Egyptians, and perhaps forcibly, or fraudulently, brought home their money. Jacob is here much out of temper. (1.) He has very melancholy apprehensions concerning the present state of his family: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not; whereas Joseph was in honour and Simeon in the way to it. Note, We often perplex ourselves with our own mistakes, even in matters of fact. True griefs may arise from false intelligence and suppositions, 2 Sam. xiii. 31. Jacob gives up Joseph for gone, and Simeon and Benjamin as being in danger; and he concludes, All these things are against me. It proved otherwise, that all these were for him, were working together for his good and the good of his family: yet here he thinks them all against him. Note, Through our ignorance and mistake, and the weakness of our faith, we often apprehend that to be against us which is really for us. We are afflicted in body, estate, name, and relations; and we think all these things are against us, whereas these are really working for us the weight of glory. (2.) He is at present resolved that Benjamin shall not go down. Reuben will undertake to bring him back in safety (v. 37), not so much as putting in, If the Lord will, nor expecting the common disasters of travellers; but he foolishly bids Jacob slay his two sons (which, it is likely, he was very proud of) if he brought him not back; as if the death of two grandsons could satisfy Jacob for the death of a son. No, Jacob’s present thoughts are, My son shall not go down with you. He plainly intimates a distrust of them, remembering that he never saw Joseph since he had been with them; therefore, “Benjamin shall not go with you, by the way in which you go, for you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.” Note, It is bad with a family when children conduct themselves so ill that their parents know not how to trust them.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Verses 29-34:
Jacob’s nine sons returned to Canaan with the supplies purchased in Egypt. They recounted to their father the events that had taken place, but did not mention that they left Simeon bound and in prison. Neither did they mention the first test that the Egyptian “lord” or official proposed: that nine remain in custody while one returned to Canaan to bring proof of their innocence.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
29. And they came unto Jacob their father. Here is a long repetition of the former history, but it is not superfluous; because Moses wished to show how anxiously they made their excuse to their father for having left Simon in chains, and how strenuously they pleaded with him, that, for the sake of obtaining Simeon’s liberty, he should allow them to take their brother Benjamin: for this was greatly to the purpose. We know what a sharp dart is hunger: and yet, though the only method of relieving their want was to fetch corn out of Egypt, Jacob would rather that he and his family should perish, than allow Benjamin to accompany the rest. What can he mean by thus peremptorily refusing what his sons were compelled by necessity to ask, except to show that he was suspicious of them? This also more clearly appears from his own words, when he imputes his bereavement to them. For, though their declaration, that Joseph had been torn by a wild beast, had some color of probability, there still remained in the heart of the holy patriarch a secret wound, arising from suspicion; because he was fully aware of their fierce and cruel hatred of the innocent youth. Moreover, it is useful for us to know this; for it appears hence how miserable was the condition of the holy man, whose mind, during thirteen successive years, had been tortured with dire anxiety. Besides, his very silence added greatly to his torment, because he was compelled to conceal the grief he felt. But the chief burden of the evil was the temptation which oppressed him, that the promise of God might prove illusory and vain. For he had no hope except from the promised seed; but he seemed to be bringing up devils at home, from whom a blessing was no more to be expected than life from death. He thought Joseph to be dead, Benjamin alone remained to him uncorrupted: how could the salvation of the world proceed from such a vicious offspring? He must, therefore, have been endowed with great constancy, seeing he did not cease to rely upon God; and being certainly persuaded that he cherished in his house the Church, of which scarcely any appearance was left, he bore with his sons till they should repent. Let the faithful now apply this example to themselves, lest their minds should give way at the horrible devastation which is almost everywhere perceived.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Gen. 42:29-38
THE INCREASING TROUBLES OF JACOBS OLD AGE
I. The causes which led to them.
1. The strange perplexity into which his sons had been brought. They related to their father the rough treatment they had received in Egypt, and how one of their brethren was detained in pledge until they should return with their youngest brother. When one of them opened his sacks mouth, on the journey, he was alarmed to find his money tied up with it; but when they all emptied their sacks in their fathers presence, how great must have been their consternation when they saw that every mans bundle of money was in his sack. (Gen. 42:35.) Jacob understood their trouble, and like them he feared the worst. He has the corn, indeed, but with it sorrow upon sorrow.
2. The opening again of an old wound. He is reminded again of Joseph, and all the old trouble comes back to him. (Gen. 42:32.) The wound which time had but imperfectly healed bleeds afresh.
3. The loss of all earthly hope. To poor Jacob all was now well nigh gone. Every earthly hope was lost now, save one, and that also was in danger of being taken away. (Gen. 42:36.) Looking over his past life, he felt that all had failed. All these things are against me, he said. Let there come but one more calamity (and he had too much reason to fear it) then would the cup of his sorrow be full, then shall ye bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. (Gen. 42:38.)
II. The weaknesses in Jacobs character which they reveal.
1. Querulousness and despondency. The former was natural to an old man who had seen so much sorrow. But there was also a prevailing sadness about Jacobs character which led him to look on the dark side of events. He was inclined to magnify his sorrows until they spread a gloom over his whole life and shut out the light of hope.
2. Want of strong faith in God. Jacob was really reflecting upon Providence when he said, All these things are against me. No man who had strong faith to see the end of the Lord, which is gracious and loving even through a frowning Providence, could utter such words. And yet Jacob casts these dark reflections upon Gods dealings, though God had once said to him, I will surely do thee good. Thus he who once wrestled with God and man, and prevailed, now shows the weakness of his faith. It was not for want of light, and frequent supports, and encouragement that Jacob betrayed this weakness of faith. It is to be traced to the native selfishness of his character. His very religion had, all the way through, a strong trace of selfishness. The idea of bargain entered largely into it. He seemed one who studied his own ease, comfort, and prosperity; getting all he could for himself, and giving as little as possible. He who lives upon this principle will, in the end, find such religion as he has to fail him. Unless he has faith and hope in God above, despite all appearances, he will find every earthly foundation to give way under him until nothing is left. He must go deep down to find his rock in God. Nothing else can stand, for faith can never be secure and constant unless it lays hold upon Him above who is ever faithful, ever sure. Gods ways to Jacob were indeed mysterious; he was a much tried man, but yet he ought to have triumphed over all his difficulties. Job was tried with greater sorrows, and yet he had the strength to say of his God who was afflicting him, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. (Job. 13:15.) We have heard of the patience of Job, and we know how trouble served only to purify his soul and to give him a clear and sure knowledge of Divine things. (Job. 42:5-6). Jacob relied too much upon human agents, and upon the course of events. He lacked the faith of that father of believers who could give up his Isaac. He failed to see that if God had promised to be with him, no evil could finally prevail over him. He thinks of the grave only as a refuge from the sorrows of the world. The thought which he utters is painful, but it is only the passionate expression of feelings which had long been pent up within him. He now declares the melancholy suspicion which he had carried in the depths of his own heart for many a year. As time went on, the prospects and fortunes of his family seemed to grow only darker, and now the end had come. There is nothing left for him but to go down to the grave with sorrow, his life uncompleted, his hopes unrealised. He speaks not as one who looks forward to the rest of the grave when his soul is satisfied with life and the blessing of the Lord, whose faith has overcome the world, and who has the blessed prospect of joining the company of those who have triumphed and have entered into their rest. This is a dark moment with Jacob, but he will yet recover his faith, and triumph in the Lord.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Gen. 42:29-34. Their narrative must have given their father a very bad idea of the lord of the land. They said nothing of him but the truth. And yet Jacob must have formed an opinion far remote from the truth. Joseph must have appeared to him as an insolent, overbearing tyrant, that made use of his power to crush poor men under his feet. Surely, might the patriarch have said, the fear of God is not before the eyes of this man, who shows so little regard to the comfort, the liberty, the lives of his fellow-men. Yet Josephs conduct towards his brethren was full of wisdom and mercy. He dealt hardly with them that he might do them good. So far is the appearance from always corresponding with the reality of things. Judge nothing before the time.(Bush,)
Gen. 42:35-36. The mysterious circumstance of the money being found by the way in their sacks, they appear to have concealed. Mention is made of only one of the sacks being opened; yet by what they afterwards said to the steward (Gen. 43:21), it appears that they opened them all, and found every mans money in his sacks mouth. But they might think their father would have blamed them for not returning with it when they were only a days journey from Egypt, and therefore agreed to say nothing to him about it, but leave him to find it out. Hence it is that they are represented as discovering the money in a manner as if they knew nothing of it before; not only participating with their father in his apprehensions, but seeming also to join with him in his surprise.(Fuller.)
Old Jacob, that was not used to simple and absolute contentments, receives the blessing of seasonable provision, together with the affliction of that heavy message, the loss of one son and the danger of another; and he knows not whether it be better for him to die with hunger or with grief, for the departure of that son of his right-hand. He drives off all till the last. Protraction is a kind of ease in evils that must come.(Bp. Hall.)
Jacobs declarations betray a feeling that the brothers were not guiltless respecting Josephs disappearance. He knew their jealousy, and he had experienced the violent disposition of Simeon and Levi.(Lange.)
All these things are against me. How did Jacob know this? Because his feelings, his affections, and the general sense of mankind, told him it was a great misery to lose a son, especially the best and most beloved of sons. But, in fact, the very reverse was the case, as Jacob afterwards found, Joseph was sent before him into Egypt to provide sustenance for his family; Simeon was bound in prison to mortify his haughty spirit; Benjamin was to be taken away that he might find Joseph alive and happy. A great portion of our present trouble arises from our not knowing the whole truth.(Bush.)
Gen. 42:37. Reuben is once more the tender-hearted one. He offers everything that he may prevail with his father. But it is out of reason what he offers (Luther).(Lange.)
The motive may be good when the speech is rash. It is well to beware of strong assertions which are far beyond our meaning, and besides have in them a tincture of levity and impiety.
A simple and sinful offer. Reuben was the eldest, but not the wisest. However, of him we may learn, in our parents fear, to be hardy and hearty; in our brethrens distress to be eager and earnest.(Trapp.)
Gen. 42:38. He puts them in mind of his grey hairs, which always constitute a claim for reverence, but more especially from children. It was natural that he should make the strongest possible appeal to the filial sentiments of his children, to spare him the crushing sorrow which he saw likely to overwhelm him; yet in saying he should die of grief he went beyond the bounds of a reasonable apprehension. But in this Jacob utters the language of human infirmity, and all that are human will be slow to condemn in him what they would probably evince in themselves.(Bush.)
Painful as it is, this last, bitterest stroke of parting with Benjamin must be endured for the happy issue. The darkest hour is just before the day. In the mount of Jehovah shall be seen as it was with Abraham. God brings His chosen people through sorrow to joy, and through labour to rest.(Jacobus.)
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
‘And they came to Jacob their father to the land of Canaan, and told him all that had befallen them, saying, “The Man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us and took us for spies of the country. And we said to him, ‘We are true men, we are no spies. We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.’ And the Man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are true men. Leave one of your brothers with me and take corn for the famine of your houses and go your way. And bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are no spies, but that you are true men. Then I will set your brother free and you shall trade in the land’.” ’
Jacob has no doubt noted the absence of Simeon and he listens with failing heart to the story unfolded. His problem will be what to do next.
“The Man.” This is an unusual use when used before a further description. It has been suggested from other evidence that the second in command in Egypt was so called in contrast with Pharaoh ‘the god’ (Gen 42:29 and Gen 42:33 here and compare Gen 43:3; Gen 43:5-7; Gen 43:11; Gen 43:14 and especially Gen 44:26 when we might expect ‘the lord’ or something similar).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Observe how low the actings of faith were m the Patriarch’s experience at this time. He had lost sight of that promise, Gen 28:15 . Under bereaving providences how sweet and sure is that scripture, 1Co 1:9 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 42:29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
Ver. 29. And they came to Jacob. ] Who had looked many a long look for them, no doubt, and was now glad to see their faces and full sacks. But this joy lasted but a little while; for no sooner had he heard them speak, but he was thunderstruck, as it were: so little stability is there in any worldly felicity. The saints have all here their back burdens of afflictions; yet some have more than others; as Jacob, who was seldom without: God not only gave him a draught of them, but made him a diet drink. Look how your refiners of sugar, taking sugar out of the same chest, some thereof they melt but once; other, again and again: not that it hath more dross in it, but because they would have it more refined: so is it here.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Gen 42:29-34
29When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30″The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies. 32We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ 33The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. 34But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may trade in the land.'”
Gen 42:29-34 The nine brothers relate to their father, Jacob, all that happened in Egypt.
Gen 42:34 “you may trade in the land” This VERB (BDB 695, KB 749, Qal IMPERFECT) is translated “trade” (cf. Gen 23:16), but its use in Gen 34:10 implies a meaning of “travel about freely.” It is possible that it refers specifically to returning to Egypt for more grain when necessary (cf. Gen 43:2).
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Reciprocal: Gen 44:24 – we told him
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Each time Jacob’s sons had left home they returned with more money but minus a brother (chs. 37, 42). [Note: Hamilton, The Book . . . Chapters 18-50, p. 535.] Did Jacob think they had sold Simeon?
"Joseph’s brothers soften the news considerably, making it sound like Simeon was a guest of Joseph . . . instead of being bound in prison. They do not mention the threat of death and do not at this time speak of the money in the one sack." [Note: The NET Bible note on 42:34.]
The money in the sack widened the breach between Jacob and his sons but drew the brothers closer together. Jacob despaired because he distrusted his sons and the Egyptian ruler, and he had forgotten the promises of God (Gen 42:36). He therefore concluded that, "All these things are against me." In reality God was causing all those things to work together for good for Jacob (cf. Rom 8:28). He would soon realize God’s blessing.
"A great portion of our present trouble arises from our not knowing the whole truth." [Note: Bush, 2:309.]
Reuben’s offer of his two sons was pathetically weak (Gen 42:37). He claimed willingness to suffer in Jacob’s place, but would he really put his own sons before his brother? And how would killing Jacob’s grandsons console Jacob? It is no wonder that Jacob declined Reuben’s offer (Gen 42:38).
Throughout this chapter we can observe the attitude of Joseph’s brothers changing. Faced with a personal crisis they acknowledged their guilt. They regarded their suffering as righteous divine punishment, and they began to place Jacob’s interests above their own. However their repentance was not yet complete. The process of contrition had to run further before reconciliation was possible. [Note: See Waltke, Genesis, p. 550, for further development of the "severe mercies" God used to heal Jacob’s fractured family.]
"The motives and actions of Joseph and his family members are not patterns to be copied or avoided. The author’s goal is to show that God’s designs for Israel’s fathers are working toward the end of redeeming the household of faith." [Note: Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, p. 768.]
When believers have unresolved guilt in their hearts, God often convicts their consciences to discover if they are spiritually sensitive enough to participate in His program.