Bible Commentary

And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes. 24. wept ] Cf. Gen 43:30. Joseph’s feelings are deeply stirred by overhearing words that indicate his brethren’s contrition for their inhuman conduct towards himself. Simeon … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:24”

And they knew not that Joseph understood [them]; for he spoke unto them by an interpreter. 23. an interpreter ] The services of interpreters would be necessary for the maintenance of intercourse between Egyptian rulers and the inhabitants of Canaan. The Tel el-Amarna tablets shew that between the kings of Canaanite cities and the court … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:23”

And Reuben answered them, saying, Spoke I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. 22. And Reuben answered ] See Gen 37:21-22. Reuben, according to E, believed Joseph to have been killed (Gen 37:30), and had no knowledge of his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:22”

And they said one to another, We [are] verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. 21. We are verily guilty ] The words of Joseph’s brethren represent the vitality of conscience after … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:21”

But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. i.e. Resolved and promised to do so. Those things are oft said to be done in Scripture which were sincerely resolved upon, as hath been noted before. Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:20”

If ye [be] true [men], let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: 19. let one of your brethren ] Joseph’s previous sentence in Gen 42:16, by which one brother should be sent back, while the remainder should be kept … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:19”

And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I fear God: 18 26. The second Interview 18. for I fear God ] See notes on Gen 20:3; Gen 20:11, Gen 22:12, Gen 39:9. Cf. Lev 25:43; Neh 5:15. Joseph reassures his brethren by representing to them that the potentate of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:18”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:17”

Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether [there be any] truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye [are] spies. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother,…. He proposes that one … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:16”

Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. 15. by the life of Pharaoh ] An Egyptian form of oath, in the sense of “as sure as Pharaoh is alive to punish, or avenge.” Dillmann says, “the oath is very suitable … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 42:15”