Genesis 42:8-28 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:24

Took - Simeon and bound him before their eyes - This was retaliation, if, as the rabbins suppose, it was Simeon who bound Joseph, and put him into the pit. A recollection of this circumstance must exceedingly deepen the sense he had of his guilt. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:25

Commanded to fill their sacks - כליהם keleyhem , their vessels; probably large woolen bags, or baskets lined with leather, which, as Sir John Chardin says, are still in use through all Asia, and are called tambellet ; they are covered with leather, the better to resist the wet, and to prevent dirt and sand from mixing with the grain. These vessels, of whatever sort, must have been different from those called שק sak in the twenty-seventh and following verses, which was probably only... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:26

They laded their asses - Amounting, no doubt, to several scores, if not hundreds, else they could not have brought a sufficiency of corn for the support of so large a family as that of Jacob. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:27

One of them opened his sack - From Genesis 42:35 ; we learn that each of the ten brethren on emptying his sack when he returned found his money in it; can we suppose that this was not discovered by them all before? It seems not; and the reason was probably this: the money was put in the mouth of the sack of one only, in the sacks of the others it was placed at or near to the bottom; hence only one discovered it on the road, the rest found it when they came to empty their sacks at their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:28

Their heart failed them - לבם ויצא valyetse libbam , their heart went out. This refers to that spasmodic affection which is felt in the breast at any sudden alarm or fright. Among the common people in our own country we find an expression exactly similar, "My heart was ready to leap out at my mouth," used on similar occasions. What is this that God hath done unto us? - Their guilty consciences, now thoroughly awakened, were in continual alarms; they felt that they deserved God's... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:9

Verse 9 9.And Joseph remembered the dreams. When the boy Joseph had spoken of receiving obeisance, the absurdity of the thing impelled his brethren wickedly to devise his death. Now, although they bow down to him without knowing him, there is yet nothing better for them. Indeed, their only means of safety, is to prostrate themselves at his feet, and to be received by him as suppliants. Meanwhile, their conspiracy, by which they attempted to subvert the celestial decree, lest they should have to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:15

Verse 15 15.By the life of Pharaoh. From this formula of swearing a new question is raised; for that which is commanded in the law, that we should swear only by the name of God, had already been engraven on the hearts of the pious; since nature dictates that this honor is to be given to God alone, that men should defer to his judgment, and should make him the supreme arbiter and vindicator of faith and truth. If we should say that this was not simply an oath, but a kind of obtestation, the holy... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:17

Verse 17 17.And he put them altogether into ward. Here, not by words only, as before, but by the act itself, Joseph shows himself severe towards his brethren, when he shuts them all up in prison, as if about to bring them to punishment: and during three days torments them with fear. We said a little while ago, that from this act no rule for acting severely and rigidly is to be drawn; because it is doubtful whether he acted rightly or otherwise. Again, it is to be feared lest they who plead his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:21

Verse 21 21.And they said one to another. This is a remarkable passage, showing that the sons of Jacob, when reduced to the greatest straits, recall to memory a fratricide committed thirteen years previously. Before affliction pressed upon them, they were in a state of torpor. Moses relates that, even lately, they had spoken without agitation of Joseph’s death, as if conscious to themselves of no evil. But now they are compelled (so to speak) to enter into their own consciences. We see then,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:22

Verse 22 22.And Reuben answered them. Because he had attempted to deliver Joseph out of the hands of his brethren, in order to restore him in safety to his father, he magnifies their fault, in not having, at that time, listened to any prudent counsel: and I understand his words as conveying a reproof for their too late repentance. Whereas Joseph was not yet satisfied with this confession, but retained Simeon in bonds, (165) and dismissed the rest in suspense and perplexity, this was not done... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:28

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:22

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