Genesis 42:18

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 42:18

And Joseph said unto them the third day ,.... His heart yearning towards them, though he put on such an appearance; finding they could not come to an agreement among themselves who should go on the errand, he thought fit to recede from his former order, and to give them another: this do, and live : meaning what he was about to say to them, which if they punctually observed and performed, it would be the means of saving their lives: for I fear God ; and therefore would not do either... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:18

I fear God - ירא אני האלהים את eth haelohim ani yare , literally translated the passage runs thus, I also fear the gods; but the emphatic ה ha is probably added by Joseph, both here and in his conversation with Pharaoh, the more particularly to point out the eminence and perfection of the Supreme Being as contradistinguished from the gods of Egypt. He seems to say to his brethren, I am a worshipper of the true God, and ye have nothing to fear. 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 42:18-20

And Joseph (whose bowels of mercy were already yearning towards them) said unto them the third day, This do, and live ;— i.e. this do that ye may live— for I fear God —literally, the Elohim I fear; the term Elohim being employed, since to have said Jehovah would have been to divulge, if not his Hebrew origin, at least his acquaintance with the Hebrew faith (Hengstenberg). At the same time its use would arrest them more than the preceding adjuration, By the life of Pharaoh! and,... 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 42:18

Genesis 42:18. For I fear God This was a very encouraging word unto them. It is as if he had said, You may assure yourselves I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know that, as high as I am, there is one higher than I. With those that fear God we have reason to expect fair dealing: the fear of God will be a check upon those that are in power, to restrain them from abusing their power to oppression and tyranny. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 42:18

live. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Mood). Hebrew "this do and ye shall live". read more

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