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E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 42:9

remembered. Compare Genesis 37:5 , Genesis 37:9 . nakedness. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 42:8-11

"And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye have come. And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come. We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies."The dramatic fulfillment of Joseph's dream that his brothers would bow down to him had just occurred; no wonder Joseph remembered. It may be wondered why... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 42:9

Genesis 42:9. Ye are spies— This might be rendered, are ye spies? or, are ye not spies? are ye not come to spy out the nakedness of the land? by which means, the direct affirmation is removed. The nakedness of the land signifies, the weak, unfortified places of the country. Le Clerc observes, that what made Joseph's feigned suspicion the more plausible was, that they entered AEgypt by those parts where alone it is liable to be invaded; as Herodotus observes, lib. 3: cap. 4. and 5. where he... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 42:9

9-14. Ye are spies—This is a suspicion entertained regarding strangers in all Eastern countries down to the present day. Joseph, however, who was well aware that his brethren were not spies, has been charged with cruel dissimulation, with a deliberate violation of what he knew to be the truth, in imputing to them such a character. But it must be remembered that he was sustaining the part of a ruler; and, in fact, acting on the very principle sanctioned by many of the sacred writers, and our... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 42:8-17

Joseph remembered his dreams (Genesis 42:9), and the proof of God’s faithfulness undoubtedly encouraged his confidence as he proceeded to deal with his brothers. He played a role before them charging them with a crime punishable with death in Egypt. Such a serious accusation encouraged his brothers to be as honest as possible, which is what Joseph wanted.A family will rarely risk almost all of its sons in a dangerous spying mission, which probably explains the brothers’ statement that they were... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:1-38

The First Visit of Joseph’s Brethren to Egypt1. When Jacob saw] The caravans which travelled from Egypt to Syria would bring the news to Hebron. 3. Dr. Thomson, in ’The Land and the Book,’ says he has often met large parties with their donkeys going from Palestine to Egypt in time of drought for food. Jacob’s sons no doubt took servants with them and many asses.8. Joseph, now a middle-aged man, was dressed as an Egyptian, and spoke in Egyptian through an interpreter (Genesis 42:23). His... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 42:9

(9) Ye are spies.—This is the suspicion under which every traveller labours in the East; but in those days the whole Semitic race was especially looked upon in Egypt with distrust, and, as we saw in Genesis 12:15. a chain of fortresses had been built to protect the land from their incursions. Such an arrival, therefore, as that of Joseph’s brethren would be a matter of state, worthy of the attention of the highest officials; and probably they had themselves come prepared to be assailed with the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 42:1-38

The Fear of God Genesis 42:18 No one could say this with more confidence than Joseph, all whose actions were evidently inspired and governed by genuine piety. He seems to have used this language as a pledge of honourable and just dealing with those who were completely within his power. I. What does the Fear of God Involve? ( a ) A conviction of God's existence. Without this man is little better than the brutes that perish, to whom an unseen and Superior Being remains unknown, through the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

VISITS OF JOSEPH’S BRETHRENGenesis 42:1-38; Genesis 43:1-34; Genesis 44:1-34"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."- Genesis 50:19-20.THE purpose of God to bring Israel into Egypt was accomplished by the unconscious agency of Joseph’s natural affection for his kindred. Tenderness towards home is usually increased by residence in a foreign land; for absence, like a little death, sheds a halo round those separated from us.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 42:1-38

CHAPTER 42 The First Visit of Joseph’s Brethren 1. Joseph’s brethren sent to Egypt (Genesis 42:1-5 ) 2. Joseph meets his brethren (Genesis 42:6-16 ) 3. Put in prison for three days (Genesis 42:17 ) 4. Joseph’s demand (Genesis 42:18-20 ) 5. The accusing conscience (Genesis 42:21-23 ) 6. Joseph weeps and Simeon bound (Genesis 42:24 ) 7. The return of the nine (Genesis 42:25-38 ) The famine years bring Joseph’s brethren to repentance and after the deepest exercise Joseph makes... read more

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