Bible Commentary

And he searched, [and] began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 12. searched ] There is no mention of the money in the sacks’ mouths ( Gen 44:1). The interest centres on the cup. That the search is made in order of age is a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:12”

Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground,…. To be opened and examined, and this they did in all haste, as having a clear conscience, and being confident that nothing could be found … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:11”

And he said, Now also [let] it [be] according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless. 10. my bondman ] Joseph’s steward, while accepting the terms, mitigates their severity. He proposes that the offender, if apprehended, shall alone be punished, not with death, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:10”

With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen. 9. With whomsoever ] Joseph’s brethren propose the harshest possible penalty, death for the thief, and slavery for all the company. Cf. Jacob’s proposal in Gen 31:32. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:9”

Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? It is not probable that we who restored that which was in our power to keep, and to conceal without any … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:8”

And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: 7. God forbid ] Lit. “far be it” = . The Heb. has no appeal to the Deity; cf. Jos 22:29. They are convinced of their innocence, and indignantly repel the insinuation that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:7”

And he overtook them, and he spoke unto them these same words. 6, 7. he overtook them, and he spake. . . these wordsThe steward’s words must have come upon themlike a thunderbolt, and one of their most predominant feelings musthave been the humiliating and galling sense of being made so oftenobjects of suspicion. Protesting … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:6”

[Is] not this [it] in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. 5. whereby he indeed divineth ] “Divineth,” Heb. naash: see Gen 30:27; Deu 18:10, “useth divination”; 1Ki 20:33 marg. The word shews that the silver cup was a sacred one, by means of which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:5”

[And] when they were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? 4. the city ] The name of the city is most unfortunately not given. Memphis … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:4”

As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. 3. As soon as the morning was light,the men were sent awayThey commenced their homeward journey atearly dawn (see on Ge 18:2); andit may be readily supposed in high spirits, after so happy an issuefrom all their troubles and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 44:3”