Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 43:18
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
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 43:18
Genesis 43:18. The men were afraid— Here again, as in ch. Genesis 42:28. we see how conscience operates; they who had shewn no mercy are prone to believe that none will be shewn to them. The phrase, May seek occasion against us, is, in the Hebrew, as the margins of our Bibles render it, May roll himself upon us; i.e.. says Le Clerc, May bring an accusation against us: it is a metaphor taken from wrestling; where he who has overthrown his antagonist rolls himself upon him to keep him down. So... read more