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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 42:7-20

We may well wonder that Joseph, during the twenty years that he had now been in Egypt, especially during the last seven years that he had been in power there, never sent to his father to acquaint him with his circumstances; nay, it is strange that he who so often went throughout all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41:45, 46) never made an excursion to Canaan, to visit his aged father, when he was in the borders of Egypt, that lay next to Canaan. Perhaps it would not have been above three or four days?... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:9

And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them ,.... Their bowing and prostrating themselves before him brought to his remembrance his dreams of their sheaves making obeisance to his, and of the sun, moon, and eleven stars, doing the same to him, Genesis 37:7 , and said unto them, ye are spies ; not believing they were, nor absolutely asserting that they were such; but this he said to try them, and what they would say for themselves, and in order to lead on to further... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:9

Ye are spies - אתם מרגלים meraggelim attem , ye are footmen, trampers about, footpads, vagabonds, lying in wait for the property of others; persons who, under the pretense of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which ye belong (see Genesis 42:11 ;) may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle in it themselves; or, having plundered it, retire to their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

The first visit of Joseph's brethren to Egypt. I. THE JOURNEY TO EGYPT ( Genesis 42:1-5 ). 1. The famishing household . Although Canaan was the land of promise, and the family of Jacob the Church of God, yet neither was the one nor the other exempted from the pressure of that heavy famine which had fallen on all surrounding lands and peoples. It is not God's intention that his people should escape participating in the ills of life. Besides enabling them, collectively and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

God's trials of his people. The trial of Joseph is over. Now comes the trial of his brethren and of Jacob. The Spirit of God is at work in all their hearts. True men they were and yet sinful men. Before they can be made partakers of the blessing of Joseph they must pass through the fire. He who is appointed minister of grace to them is the instrument of their trials. Notice— I. The trial is one of CONSCIENCE . "We are verily guilty concerning our brother. "His blood is required."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 42:9

And Joseph remembered ( i.e. the sight of his brethren prostrating themselves before him recalled to his mind) the dreams which he dreamed (or had dreamed) of them ( vide Genesis 37:5 ) and said unto them, Ye are spies (literally, ye are spying, or going about, so as to find out, the verb רָגַל signifying to move the feet); to see the nakedness of the land —not its present impoverishment from the famine (Murphy), but is unprotected and unfortified state (Keil). Cf. urbs... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 42:1-38

- Joseph and Ten of His Brethren1. שׁבר sheber, “fragment, crumb, hence, grain.” בר bar “pure,” “winnowed,” hence, “corn” (grain).6. שׁליט shallı̂yṭ, “ruler, governor, hence,” Sultan. Not elsewhere found in the Pentateuch.25. כלי kelı̂y, “vessel,” here any portable article in which grain may be conveyed. שׂק śaq, “sack,” the very word which remains in our language to this day. אמתחת 'amtachath “bag.”Twenty years, the period of Joseph’s long and anxious waiting, have come to an end. The dreams... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 42:9

Genesis 42:9. He remembered the dreams But they had forgotten them. The laying up of God’s oracles in our hearts will be of excellent use to us in all our conduct. Joseph had an eye to his dreams, which he knew to be divine, in his carriage toward his brethren, and aimed at the accomplishment of them, and the bringing his brethren to repentance; and both those points were gained. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:1-38

Joseph and his brothers (42:1-45:28)When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (42:1-8). Rather than make himself known to them immediately, Joseph decided to test them to see if they had experienced any change of heart over the years. Joseph was not looking for revenge. His apparently harsh treatment of them, mixed with kindness, was designed to stir their consciences. They realized they were being punished for their unjust... read more

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