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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 44:18-34

We have here a most ingenious and pathetic speech which Judah made to Joseph on Benjamin's behalf, to obtain his discharge from the sentence passed upon him. Perhaps Judah was a better friend to Benjamin than the rest were, and more solicitous to bring him off; or he thought himself under greater obligations to attempt it than the rest, because he had passed his word to his father for his safe return; or the rest chose him for their spokesman, because he was a man of better sense, and better... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:21

And thou saidst unto thy servants, bring him down unto me ,.... Judah does not relate the reason of his order, which was to give proof that they were no spies, but as if Joseph designed to show favour to Benjamin, as undoubtedly he did: that I may set mine eyes upon him ; not barely see him, as Aben Ezra interprets it, though that would be, and was, very desirable by him, and agreeable to him; but he desired to set his eyes upon him, not only for his own pleasure, but for the good of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:22

And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father ,.... That is, his father will not be willing to part with him: for if he should leave his father, his father would die ; with grief and trouble, fearing some evil was befallen him, and he should see him no more. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:23

And thou saidst unto thy servants ,.... In answer to the representation of things made by them, and notwithstanding that: except your youngest brother come down with you, you shall see my face no more ; which though not before related in the discourse, which passed between Joseph and his brethren, in express terms, yet might be justly inferred from what he said; nay, might be expressed in so many words, though not recorded, and as it seems plainly it was, as appears from Genesis 43:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:24

And it came to pass, when we came unto thy servant my father ,.... In the land of Canaan: we told him the words of my lord ; what he had said to them, particularly respecting Benjamin. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:25

And our father said ,.... After some time, when the corn was almost consumed they had bought in Egypt: go again, and buy us a little food ; that may suffice fill the famine is over; see Genesis 43:1 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:26

And we said, we cannot go down ,.... With any safety to their persons, which would be in danger, or with any profit to their families, since their end in going down to buy corn would not be answered: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down ; let it be agreed to, that Benjamin go along with us, to Egypt, and then no difficulty will be made of it: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us ; the face of the great man, the governor of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:27

And thy servant my father said unto us ,.... When thus pressed to let Benjamin go with them: ye know that my wife bare me two sons ; Rachel, by whom he had Joseph and Benjamin, and whom he calls his wife, she being his only lawful wife; Leah was imposed upon him, Genesis 29:20 ; and the other two were concubines, Genesis 30:4 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:28

And the one went out from, me ,.... Being sent by him to see how his brethren did, who were feeding his flocks at Shechem, and he had never returned to him to that day: and I said, surely he is torn in pieces ; by some wild beast; this he said on sight of his coat, being shown him all bloody: and I saw him not since ; now twenty two years ago; for though Joseph was not such a great way off his father, especially if he was at Memphis, as some think; yet what through his confinement as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:29

And if ye take this also from me ,.... His son Benjamin, as he perhaps suspected they had taken Joseph, and made away with him: and mischief befall him ; either in Egypt, or on the road, going or returning, any ill accident, especially death, as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, or what may issue in it: ye shall bring my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave ; it would be the means of his death, and while he lived he should be full of sorrow and grief; see Genesis 42:38 . read more

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