‘And when Joseph came home they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house and bowed themselves down to him to the earth.’ On Joseph’s arrival they bring their present and present it, bowing down to the ground, for they are still greatly in awe of him and aware that the slightest failure to show him honour could change the situation against them. So again are Joseph’s dreams fulfilled. read more
‘And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” ’ The question, put through an interpreter, would be recognised as simply a formal courtesy. They could not know with what eagerness Joseph awaited their reply. It has now been some long time since he has seen them. read more
‘And they said, “Your servant, our father, is well, he is still alive.” And they bowed the head and made obeisance.’ The writer is stressing the fulfilment of the dreams. As they give a positive but deferential reply they again make full obeisance. read more
‘And he lifted up his eyes and saw Benjamin his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” The writer is deliberately prolonging the welcome. He wants us to feel what Joseph felt. He is seeing his own blood brother after so long a time. And he gives him his blessing. The words come through an interpreter so that they are not aware of which god he refers to. Little do they realise that it is the God... read more
‘And Joseph acted hurriedly, for his heart was filled with longing for his brother, and he wanted somewhere to weep, and he entered his private room and wept there. And he washed his face, and came out, and he restrained himself and said, “Serve the food.” ’ The brothers are totally unaware of his feelings. They see him leave for a while and little do they realise that he has gone to weep. But he releases his feelings in his own private apartments and then hides the evidence, washing his face... read more
‘And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who ate with them by themselves, because the Egyptians are not allowed to eat bread with Hebrews, for that is an abomination to them.’ Joseph, as vizier and lord of Egypt eats at his own table. None may share with him for they are not of sufficient rank. The Egyptians who have been invited also sit at their own table. It would be ceremonially improper for them to mix with ‘foreigners’. Egyptians looked down... read more
‘And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth. And the men marvelled with one another.’ They were no doubt informed that they must follow protocol and sit in order of seniority, the firstborn probably being nearest to the great lord’s table. “The men marvelled with one another.” The circumstances are so different from what they had been anticipating that they can only be filled with wonder. This great show of favour by the vizier... read more
‘And he took and sent portions to them from before him. But Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.’ To receive a portion from the great lord’s table was a sign of favour and a great privilege. And Benjamin received five times more than the others, a sign of special favour. The ‘five times’ is significant. Five was the Egyptian number of completeness. “And they drank and were merry (drank largely) with him.” Their fears are now... read more
Genesis 43. The Brothers Return to Egypt with Benjamin.— It is generally held that this chapter is from J except for the references to Simeon in Genesis 43:14 and Genesis 43:23 b. According to J, Simeon seems to have played no special part, and there is not the same urgency for return as in E; the discussion as to Benjamin is postponed till the corn is spent. Genesis 42:38 perhaps originally stood after Genesis 43:2. In the conversation Judah takes the part taken by Reuben in E (as in the... read more
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Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 43:24-25
‘And the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. And he gave their asses provender. And they made ready the present for when Joseph came at noon, for they learned that they would eat bread there.’ Suddenly, to their bewilderment, everything has changed. They are being treated as welcome guests. Water is provided for them to wash their feet. (The steward no doubt ‘brings’ it through servants). Their tired and thirsty asses are taken and well... read more