Genesis 44:1-34 ASV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:9

With whomsoever of thy servants it be found ,.... The silver cup: both let him die ; which was rashly said, since they might have thought the cup might be put in one of their sacks unknown to them, as their money had been before; and besides, death was a punishment too severe for such a crime, and therefore is by the steward himself moderated; but this they said the more strongly to express their innocence: and we also will be my lord's bondmen ; his servants, as long as they lived:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:10

And he said, now also let it be according unto your words ,.... Not according to the full extent of their words, but according to a part of them; that be only should be a servant that was found guilty; so moderating the punishment which they had fixed, and were willing to submit to, and therefore could not object to what he next proposes: he with whom it is found shall be my servant ; speaking in the name of Joseph, whom he represented, and who had directed him what to say: and ye... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:11

Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground ,.... To be opened and examined, and this they did in all haste, as having a clear conscience, and being confident that nothing could be found upon them, and desirous of having the affair issued as soon as possible, that the steward might have full satisfaction, and they proceed on in their journey: and opened every man his sack ; showing neither reluctance nor fear, being conscious of their innocence. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:12

And he searched ,.... To the bottom of them, not content to look into the mouth of them being opened, but rummaged them, and searched deeply into them to find the cup, which was the thing charged upon them he was solicitous to find; as for the money in the sack's mouth he took no notice of that, nor is there any mention of it: and began at the oldest ; at Reuben, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it: the steward might know their different ages in course, by the order in which they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:13

Then they rent their clothes ,.... In token of sorrow and distress, being at their wits' end, like distracted persons, not knowing what to do: this was usually done in the eastern countries when any evil befell, as did Jacob, Genesis 37:34 ; and as the Egyptians themselves did when mourning for their dead, as Diodorus Siculus F17 Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 65. relates: and laded every man his ass ; put their sacks of corn on their asses again, having tied them up: and returned to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:14

And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house ,.... Judah is particularly mentioned because he was the principal spokesman, and was chiefly concerned for the safety of Benjamin, being his surety: for he was yet there ; Joseph was yet at his own house, was not as yet gone to the granaries, to look after the affairs of the corn, and the sale and distribution of it, but was waiting for the return of his brethren, which he expected quickly: and they fell before him on the ground ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:15

And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this ye have done ?.... An action so wicked, base, and ungrateful, attended with such aggravated circumstances, that it can scarcely be said how bad a one it is, and may be well wondered at, that men who had received such favours could ever be guilty of; this he said, putting on a stern countenance, and seemingly in great anger and wrath: wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine ? either that he could divine himself, though not by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:16

And Judah said, what shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak ?.... Signifying that they were nonplussed, confounded, knew not what to say; they could not acknowledge guilt, for they were not conscious of any, and yet could not deny the fact, the cup being found on one of them; and though they might have a suspicion of fraud, yet were afraid to speak out what they suspected, and therefore were at the utmost loss to express themselves: or how shall we clear ourselves ? to assert... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:17

And he said, God forbid that I should do so ,.... This would be doing an unjust thing, Joseph suggests, should he take them all for bondmen, for the offence of one: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant ; not die, as they had supposed, but become his servant: and as for you, get ye up in peace unto your father ; they had leave, yea, an order to return to their father in the land of Canaan, with their corn and cattle, in peace and plenty; there being no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:18

Then Judah came near unto him ,.... Being the spokesman of his brethren, and the surety of Benjamin: he plucked up a spirit, put on courage, and drew nearer to the governor, and with much freedom and boldness, and in a very polite manner, addressed him: and said, O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears ; not admit him to private audience, or suffer him to whisper something to him, but give him the hearing of a few words he had to say to him: and let not... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:18

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