15. stood before Joseph—We may easily imagine the delight with which, amid the crowd of other applicants, the eye of Joseph would fix on his brethren and Benjamin. But occupied with his public duties, he consigned them to the care of a confidential servant till he should have finished the business of the day. read more
16. ruler of his house—In the houses of wealthy Egyptians one upper man servant was intrusted with the management of the house (compare :-). slay, and make ready—Hebrew, "kill a killing"—implying preparations for a grand entertainment (compare Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 25:11; Proverbs 9:2; Matthew 22:4). The animals have to be killed as well as prepared at home. The heat of the climate requires that the cook should take the joints directly from the hands of the flesher, and the Oriental taste... read more
18. the men were afraid—Their feelings of awe on entering the stately mansion, unaccustomed as they were to houses at all, their anxiety at the reasons of their being taken there, their solicitude about the restored money, their honest simplicity in communicating their distress to the steward and his assurances of having received their money in "full weight," the offering of their fruit present, which would, as usual, be done with some parade, and the Oriental salutations that passed between... read more
31. Joseph said, Set on bread—equivalent to having dinner served, "bread" being a term inclusive of all victuals. The table was a small stool, most probably the usual round form, "since persons might even then be seated according to their rank or seniority, and the modern Egyptian table is not without its post of honor and a fixed gradation of place" [WILKINSON]. Two or at most three persons were seated at one table. But the host being the highest in rank of the company had a table to himself;... read more
32. Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination—The prejudice probably arose from the detestation in which, from the oppressions of the shepherd-kings, the nation held all of that occupation. read more
34. took and sent messes . . . Benjamin's mess was five times—In Egypt, as in other Oriental countries, there were, and are, two modes of paying attention to a guest whom the host wishes to honor—either by giving a choice piece from his own hand, or ordering it to be taken to the stranger. The degree of respect shown consists in the quantity, and while the ordinary rule of distinction is a double mess, it must have appeared a very distinguished mark of favor bestowed on Benjamin to have no less... read more
8. Joseph’s brothers’ second journey into Egypt ch. 43Chapters 43-45 are a unit describing what happened when Joseph’s brothers returned to Egypt. Like chapter 42, which this section echoes, it consists of seven scenes arranged palistrophically with the central scene being the arrest of Joseph’s brothers (Genesis 44:1-13).A Jacob sends his sons to Egypt (Genesis 43:1-14). B Arrival in Egypt; the steward and the brothers (Genesis 43:15-25) C Lunch with Joseph (Genesis 43:26-34) D The brothers... read more
Judah evidently took the lead and spoke for his brothers because Jacob had already refused Reuben (Genesis 42:37-38), Simeon was in Egypt, and Levi had previously forfeited his father’s confidence (ch. 34). As Reuben had done (Genesis 42:37), Judah offered to bear responsibility in Jacob’s place, but in contrast to Reuben, Judah took personal responsibility for Benjamin’s safety (Genesis 43:9). From this point on, Judah becomes the leader of Jacob’s sons (cf. Genesis 49:8-10; Matthew 1:2;... read more
A better translation of, "I had your money," (Genesis 43:23) is, "Your money had come to me." read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 43:14
14. God Almighty give you mercy before the man—Jacob is here committing them all to the care of God and, resigned to what appears a heavy trial, prays that it may be overruled for good. :-. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT. read more