And the famine was sore in the land. In the land of Canaan; it increased yet more and more: this is observed for the sake of what follows, showing the reason and necessity of Jacob's sons taking a second journey into Egypt. read more
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt ,.... Which, in so numerous a family as Jacob's was, having so many children, grandchildren, and servants, what nine men on so many asses could bring with them must be consumed in a short time, how long cannot be said; no doubt they lived sparingly on it in such a time of scarcity, to make it last as long as they could, and perhaps only he, his children and grandchildren, might eat of it; the servants,... read more
And Judah spake unto him ,.... Reuben the eldest son had met with a repulse already, Genesis 42:36 ; Simeon the next was now in Egypt, Genesis 42:24 , and Levi, perhaps on account of the affair of Shechem, Genesis 34:25 , did not yet stand well in his father's favour and affection; wherefore Judah being next, with the consent of his brethren, undertakes to manage the affair with him, who had doubtless an interest in him, as well as authority among his brethren, and was a prudent man,... read more
If thou wilt send our brother with us ,.... Give orders for his going with us, and put him under our care: we will go down and buy thee food ; signifying, on the above condition, that they were ready and willing to take a journey into Egypt, and buy provisions for him and his family, otherwise not. read more
But if thou wilt not send him , we will not go down ,.... This they said not as undutiful, and from a spirit of rebellion and disobedience to their father, or of stubbornness and obstinacy, but because they durst not go down, nor could they with any safety; they might expect to be taken up as spies, and put to death as they were threatened; and besides, it would be in vain, and to no purpose, since there was no likelihood of succeeding, or of getting any provision: for the man said unto... read more
And Israel said ,.... In answer to the speech of Judah: wherefore dealt ye so ill with me ; had done that which brought so much evil upon him, gave him so much grief and trouble, and threw him into such perplexity and distress, that he knew not what to do, or course to take: as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother ? which he thought was done imprudently and unadvisedly, and that there was no need of it; which, had it not been done, would have prevented this anxiety of... read more
And Judah said unto Israel his father, send the lad with me , and we will arise and go ,.... Directly to Egypt for corn; Judah calls Benjamin a lad, because the youngest brother, and tenderly brought up by his father, who had an affectionate fondness for him as if he had been a child; otherwise he must be thirty two years of age, for he was seven years younger than Joseph, who was now thirty nine years of age; yea, Benjamin must have children of his own, who went with him and his father... read more
I will be surety for him ,.... Engage for his safe return: of my hand shall thou require him ; I will be answerable for him: if I bring him not to thee, and set him before thee : do not return him from Egypt, and bring him to Canaan, into his father's house and presence safe, and sound: then let me bear the blame for ever ; of persuading his father to let him go with him; all this he said, to show what care he would take of him, and what confidence he had that no evil would... read more
For except we had lingered ,.... Delayed going down to Egypt, through the demur Jacob made of tending Benjamin with them: surely now we had returned this second time ; they would have made their journey to Egypt, and returned again with their corn, and their brother Benjamin too, as Judah supposed, before this time; so that by these delays they were losing time, and involving themselves and families in distress for want of corn. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 43:1-10
Here, 1. Jacob urges his sons to go and buy more corn in Egypt, Gen. 43:1, 2. The famine continued; and the corn they had bought was all spent, for it is meat that perisheth. Jacob, as a good master of a family, is in care to provide for those of his own house food convenient; and shall not God provide for his children, for the household of faith? Jacob bids them go again and buy a little food; now, in time of scarcity, a little must suffice, for nature is content with a little. 2. Judah urges... read more