Genesis 43:19-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 43:15-25

Jacob's sons, having got leave to take Benjamin with them, were observant of the orders their father had given them, and went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food as they did for corporal food. Now here we have an account of what passed between them and Joseph's steward, who, some conjecture, was in the secret, and knew them to be Joseph's brethren, and helped to humour... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:19

And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house ,.... The same person before called the ruler of his house, under whose direction they were; just before they came to the house, as it seems by what follows, they made up to him as having something to say to him: and they communed with him at the door of the house ; before they went into it, being uneasy and eager to know what should be the meaning of their being brought thither, which was unusual. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:20

And said, O sir ,.... Or, "on me, my lord" F1 בי אדני "in me Domine mi", Montanus. , one said in the name of the rest, perhaps Judah, on me let the blame lie, if guilty of rudeness in making our address to thee; or as the Vulgate Latin version, "we pray, sir, that thou wouldest hear us"; and so Jarchi and Aben Ezra say the phrase is expressive of beseeching, entreating, and supplicating: we came indeed down at the first time to buy food ; not to spy the land but to buy corn,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:21

And it came to pass when we came to the inn ,.... Upon the road, on the first day's journey, to refresh themselves and their cattle: that we opened our sacks ; to give provender to our cattle; by which it appears that they all did this, though it is only said of one of them at the inn, and of all of them when they came home, Genesis 42:27 , and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight ; nothing wanting of it; it being usual in those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:22

And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food ,.... Double money for a double quantity, or because the price of corn was now doubled; and their bringing this besides the other showed their honest and upright intentions: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks ; we are quite ignorant of it, and can by no means account for it, and therefore hope no blame will be laid on us. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:23

And he said, peace be unto you, fear not ,.... Do not be uneasy and disturbed, you have nothing to fear, you are in no danger: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks ; the hidden treasure, as the word signifies, found in their sacks; was there by the providence of God, so disposing the heart of Joseph to order it to be put there, as the steward interpreted it; who by being Joseph's family had got some knowledge of the true God, and of his all wise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:24

And the man brought the men into Joseph's house ,.... After the above discourse had passed between them, and he had made their minds easy, both with respect to the money, and by bringing Simeon unbound to them: and gave them water, and they washed their feet ; which was usually done in the eastern countries after travelling, and when about to take a meal, and was both for refreshment and cleanliness: and he gave their asses provender ; thus were they hospitably entertained, they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:25

And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon ,.... They took it out of their vessels or bags in which they brought it, having unladen their asses, and disposed of it in a proper manner to present it to him when he came home at noon to dine: for they heard that they should eat bread there ; dine there, bread being put for all provision: this was told them, very probably, by the steward, or by some of the servants in the house, or they overheard what Joseph said to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 43:20

O sir, we came indeed - to buy food - There is a frankness now in the conduct of Joseph's brethren that did not exist before; they simply and honestly relate the whole circumstance of the money being found in their sacks on their return from their last journey. Afflictions from the hand of God, and under his direction, have a wonderful tendency to humble the soul. Did men know how gracious his designs are in sending such, no murmur would ever be heard against the dispensations of Divine... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 43:23

And he said - The address of the steward in this verse plainly proves that the knowledge of the true God was in Egypt. It is probable that the steward himself was a Hebrew, and that Joseph had given him intimation of the whole affair; and though he was not at liberty to reveal it, yet he gives them assurances that the whole business would issue happily. I had your money - אלי בא כספכם caspechem ba elai , your money comes to me. As I am the steward, the cash for the corn belongs to... read more

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