Bible Commentary

So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 8. not you but God ] Notice how Joseph here for the third time ascribes his presence in Egypt … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:8”

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 7. to preserve you a remnant ] Lit. “to set for you a remnant,” i.e. descendants; cf. Jer 44:7. by a great deliverance ] R.V. marg. to be a great company that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:7”

For these two years [hath] the famine [been] in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest. 6. yet five years ] Cf. Gen 41:30. neither plowing nor harvest ] A general phrase for agricultural operations, as in Exo 34:21; Deu 21:4; 1Sa 8:12. There … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:6”

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 5. nor angry with yourselves ] The Heb. is “let there not be burning in your eyes,” “do not look angry, or vexed,” i.e. with yourselves. to preserve life ] i.e. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:5”

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I [am] Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 4. whom ye sold ] The narrative of J is here, as in Gen 45:5, followed, according to which Joseph was sold by his brethren. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:4”

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I [am] Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 3. doth my father yet live? ] This question has seemed to some a strange one after the interviews which Joseph has already had (Gen 43:27-28). But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:3”

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. 2. wept aloud ] Heb. gave forth his voice in weeping. heard ] We must make allowance for an Oriental hyperbole of speech, by which it is intended to convey the rapidity with which the sound of Joseph’s broken exclamations, and the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:2”

Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 1 15. Joseph makes himself known to his Brethren 1. refrain himself ] As in Gen … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 45:1”

For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad [be] not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad [be] not with me?…. Signifying that he must abide in Egypt, and chose to do … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:34”

Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. 33. instead of the lad ] This offer on the part of Judah to remain in Egypt in the bond-service of Joseph, as substitute for Benjamin (LXX ), … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:33”