Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 43:20
And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
20. Oh my lord ] Cf. Gen 44:18. The expression introduces an appeal. The word for “my lord” ( adoni) is rendered by LXX , and by the Lat. domine. See Num 12:11; Jdg 6:13; 1Sa 1:26; 1Ki 3:17; 1Ki 3:26.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. O sir, we came indeed – to buy food] There is a frankness now in the conduct of Joseph’s brethren that did not exist before; they simply and honestly relate the whole circumstance of the money being found in their sacks on their return from their last journey. Afflictions from the hand of God, and under his direction, have a wonderful tendency to humble the soul. Did men know how gracious his designs are in sending such, no murmur would ever be heard against the dispensations of Divine Providence.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And said, O sir,…. Or, “on me, my lord” a, one said in the name of the rest, perhaps Judah, on me let the blame lie, if guilty of rudeness in making our address to thee; or as the Vulgate Latin version, “we pray, sir, that thou wouldest hear us”; and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra say the phrase is expressive of beseeching, entreating, and supplicating:
we came indeed down at the first time to buy food; not to spy the land but to buy corn, and not to get it by fraud or tricking but by paying for it the price that was required.
a “in me Domine mi”, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
‘And said, “Oh my lord. We did indeed come down at the first time to buy food, and it happened that as we came to the lodging place that we opened our sacks and behold every man’s silver was in the mouth of his sack, our silver in full weight. And we have brought it again in our hand. And we have brought other silver down in our hand to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks.”
The brothers are trying to summarise the story as quickly as possible before they are brought into the house, thus they have to abbreviate what happened. They remember vividly the moment that they first found the silver in one of the sacks and telescope what happened into a few scared, hurried words. Thus the finding of the silver in all the sacks is described as happening at the same time, although we know from earlier that that happened later when they arrived home. It is the primary point that they want to get home. They found the silver in their sacks. They have only a few moments, so detail is of secondary importance. Then they assure him earnestly that they have brought it back with other silver for new purchases.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Observe what an Egyptian may learn by living in an Hebrew’s family!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
Ver. 20. O sir, we came indeed, &c. ] We must not lie wretchlessly under suspicion of dishonesty; but carefully clear ourselves, as there is opportunity.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
we came indeed. Hebrew “coming down, we came down”. Figure of speech Polyptoton. See note on Gen 26:28
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
we came indeed down: Heb. coming down we came down, Gen 43:3, Gen 43:7, Gen 42:3, Gen 42:10, Gen 42:27, Gen 42:35
Reciprocal: Gen 43:2 – General 1Ki 3:17 – O my lord