Genesis 42:1-8 WEB

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:1

Jacob saw that there was corn - That is, Jacob heard from the report of others that there was plenty in Egypt. The operations of one sense, in Hebrew, are often put for those of another. Before agriculture was properly known and practiced, famines were frequent; Canaan seems to have been peculiarly vexed by them. There was one in this land in the time of Abraham, Genesis 12:10 ; another in the days of Isaac, Genesis 26:1 ; and now a third in the time of Jacob. To this St. Stephen... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

Joseph was the governor - שליט shallit , an intendant, a protector, from שלט skalat , to be over as a protector; hence שלטים shelatim , shields, or arms for protection and defense, 2 Samuel 8:7 ; and שלטון shilton , power and authority, Ecclesiastes 8:4 , Ecclesiastes 8:8 ; and hence the Arabic sultan , a lord, prince, or king, from salata , he obtained and exercised dominion, he ruled. Was it not from this very circumstance, Joseph being shallit , that all the... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.Now when Jacob saw. Moses begins, in this chapter, to treat of the occasion which drew Jacob with his whole family into Egypt; and thus leaves it to us to consider by what hidden and unexpected methods God may perform whatever he has decreed. Though, therefore, the providence of God is in itself a labyrinth; yet when we connect the issue of things with their beginnings, that admirable method of operation shines clearly in our view, which is not generally acknowledged, only because it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

Verse 6 6.And Joseph was the governor (164) over the land. Moses connects the honor of Joseph with his fidelity and diligence. For although he was possessed of supreme authority, he nevertheless submitted to every possible laborious service, just as if he had been a hired servant. From which example we must learn, that as any one excels in honor, he is bound to be the more fully occupied in business; but that they who desire to combine leisure with dignity, utterly pervert the sacred order of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:7

Verse 7 7.He made himself strange unto them. It may be asked for what purpose Joseph thus tormented his brethren with threats and with terror. For if he was actuated by a sense of the injury received from them, he cannot be acquitted of the desire of revenge. It is, however, probable, that he was impelled neither by anger nor a thirst of vengeance, but that he was induced by two just causes to act as he did. For he both desired to regain his brother Benjamin, and wished to ascertain, — as if by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1

Now when Jacob saw —literally, and Jacob saw, i.e. perceived by the preparations of others for buying corn in Egypt (Lange), but more probably learnt by the report which others brought from. Egypt ( Genesis 42:2 )— that there was corn — שֶׁבֶר , either that which is broken, e.g. ground as in a mill, from שָׁבַר , to break in pieces, to shiver (Gesenius), or that which breaks forth, hence sprouts or geminates, from an unused root, שָׁבַר , to press out, to break forth (Furst),... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-2

Man's want and God's provision. The famine was part of God's plan to carry out his promise to Abraham ( Genesis 15:13 , Genesis 15:14 ). But it is not merely a fact in the historical preparation for what he was bringing to pass; a link in the chain of events leading on to Christ. We must look upon it as part of a series of types foreshadowing gospel truths. The famine was a step towards the promised possession, and has its counterpart in the work of the Holy Spirit. It represents the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

The first visit of Joseph's brethren to Egypt. I. THE JOURNEY TO EGYPT ( Genesis 42:1-5 ). 1. The famishing household . Although Canaan was the land of promise, and the family of Jacob the Church of God, yet neither was the one nor the other exempted from the pressure of that heavy famine which had fallen on all surrounding lands and peoples. It is not God's intention that his people should escape participating in the ills of life. Besides enabling them, collectively and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

God's trials of his people. The trial of Joseph is over. Now comes the trial of his brethren and of Jacob. The Spirit of God is at work in all their hearts. True men they were and yet sinful men. Before they can be made partakers of the blessing of Joseph they must pass through the fire. He who is appointed minister of grace to them is the instrument of their trials. Notice— I. The trial is one of CONSCIENCE . "We are verily guilty concerning our brother. "His blood is required."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:2

And he said, Behold, I have heard (this does not imply that the rumor had not also reached Jacob's sons, but only that the proposal to visit Egypt did not originate with them) that there is corn — שֶׁבֶר ut supra , σῖτος ( LXX .) , triticum (Vulgate)— in Egypt: get you down thither. That Jacob did not, like Abraham ( Genesis 12:10 )and Isaac ( Genesis 26:2 ), propose to remove his family to Egypt, may be explained either by the length of the journey, which was too... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-2

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:2

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