Genesis 42:18

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 42:18-20

"And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: if ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry grain for the famine of your houses: and bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.""This do, and live ... Your words shall be verified, and ye shall not die ..." From this it appears that the imprisonment of the alleged spies implied also that they were to be... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 42:18

Genesis 42:18. For I fear God— As much as to say, I am influenced by a religious principle, though you might not expect it, in my place and station; and, as so influenced, cannot be guilty either of injustice or cruelty; on which account I will treat you with as much lenity as the suspicions I have urged will admit, detaining only one of you, and suffering the rest to carry corn for your house, and to verify your own account of yourselves. REFLECTIONS.—Little thought the sons of Jacob who this... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 42:18-24

Joseph’s profession of faith in God (Elohim) told his brothers that he realized he was under divine authority and therefore would be fair with them. His test guaranteed Benjamin’s safe passage to Egypt, something Joseph had every reason to worry about in view of his brothers’ treatment of himself. Earlier, when he saw only 10 brothers and not Benjamin, he probably wondered if the 10 had already done away with Benjamin.The brothers saw divine retribution in what had happened to them (Genesis... 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 42:18

(18) I fear God (Elohim).—By the use of the name Elohim they would understand that he worshipped the same God as they did. For though he may himself have used the Egyptian word for the supreme Deity, yet doubtless he would take care that the interpreter used the word Elohim. 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 42:18

42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I {e} fear God:(e) And therefore am true and just. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:1-38

JACOB SENDS HIS SONS TO EGYPT The famine reaches to Jacob's land. God makes him and his sons to feel the distress of famine until they hear that Egypt has an abundance of food that is available for sale. Jacob therefore orders his sons to take a trip there to buy food (v.2). Joseph's ten brothers then "went down" (v.3), indicating that lsrael must be humbled in order to receive blessing from God. Benjamin does not go with them, for Jacob feared for his safety, no doubt specially because... read more

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