Genesis 42:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

Joseph and his brothers (42:1-45:28)When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (42:1-8). Rather than make himself known to them immediately, Joseph decided to test them to see if they had experienced any change of heart over the years. Joseph was not looking for revenge. His apparently harsh treatment of them, mixed with kindness, was designed to stir their consciences. They realized they were being punished for their unjust... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 42:1

Why . . . ? &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . That is what we all too often do when in trouble or difficulty. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 42:1-2

"Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence, that we may live, and not die."This record of a family council precipitated by the stern realities of the terrible famine and the threat of death from starvation emphasizes the authority and decisiveness of Jacob, whose "energy and resourcefulness (of the father) is (sic) set... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 42:1

Genesis 42:1. When Jacob saw— That is, was informed, had heard, as it is in the second verse. See Acts 7:12. He said, why do ye look one upon another? a phrase expressing great distress, and ignorance of the means of relief. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 42:1

1. Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt—learned from common rumor. It is evident from Jacob's language that his own and his sons' families had suffered greatly from the scarcity; and through the increasing severity of the scourge, those men, who had formerly shown both activity and spirit, were sinking into despondency. God would not interpose miraculously when natural means of preservation were within reach. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 42:1-7

Twenty-one years after his brothers sold Joseph into slavery they bowed before him in fulfillment of his youthful dreams (Genesis 42:6-7; cf. Genesis 37:5-9). Ronald Hyman analyzed Joseph’s skillful use of questions to uncover his brothers’ attitudes and intentions as well as the key role of questions in the whole Joseph narrative-there are 30 to 40 of them. [Note: Ronald T. Hyman, "Questions in the Joseph Story: The Effects and Their Implications for Teaching," Religious Education (Summer... 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 42:1

XLII.FIRST VISIT OF JOSEPH’S BRETHREN TO EGYPT.(1) When Jacob saw.—That is, learned, understood, that there was corn in Egypt. As we have seen (Genesis 37:25), there was a large caravan trade between Palestine and Egypt, and the report would gradually get abroad that food might be purchased there.Why do ye look . . . —In the second rainless season not only would the flocks and herds begin to languish, but the numerous retainers of Jacob and his sons would also become enfeebled from insufficient... 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

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