Genesis 44:14-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 44:1-17

Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself,... read more

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 44:14

And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house ,.... Judah is particularly mentioned because he was the principal spokesman, and was chiefly concerned for the safety of Benjamin, being his surety: for he was yet there ; Joseph was yet at his own house, was not as yet gone to the granaries, to look after the affairs of the corn, and the sale and distribution of it, but was waiting for the return of his brethren, which he expected quickly: and they fell before him on the ground ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:15

And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this ye have done ?.... An action so wicked, base, and ungrateful, attended with such aggravated circumstances, that it can scarcely be said how bad a one it is, and may be well wondered at, that men who had received such favours could ever be guilty of; this he said, putting on a stern countenance, and seemingly in great anger and wrath: wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine ? either that he could divine himself, though not by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:16

And Judah said, what shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak ?.... Signifying that they were nonplussed, confounded, knew not what to say; they could not acknowledge guilt, for they were not conscious of any, and yet could not deny the fact, the cup being found on one of them; and though they might have a suspicion of fraud, yet were afraid to speak out what they suspected, and therefore were at the utmost loss to express themselves: or how shall we clear ourselves ? to assert... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:17

And he said, God forbid that I should do so ,.... This would be doing an unjust thing, Joseph suggests, should he take them all for bondmen, for the offence of one: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant ; not die, as they had supposed, but become his servant: and as for you, get ye up in peace unto your father ; they had leave, yea, an order to return to their father in the land of Canaan, with their corn and cattle, in peace and plenty; there being no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:18

Then Judah came near unto him ,.... Being the spokesman of his brethren, and the surety of Benjamin: he plucked up a spirit, put on courage, and drew nearer to the governor, and with much freedom and boldness, and in a very polite manner, addressed him: and said, O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears ; not admit him to private audience, or suffer him to whisper something to him, but give him the hearing of a few words he had to say to him: and let not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:19

My lord asked his servants ,.... The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother ? which question followed upon their saying that they were the sons of one man, Genesis 42:11 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:20

And we said unto my lord, we have a father ,.... Yet living in the land of Canaan: an old man ; being one hundred and thirty years of age, Genesis 47:9 , and a child of his old age ; who was born when he was near an hundred years of age: and a little one ; not in stature, but in age, being the youngest son, and much younger than they: so they represented him, on that account, and because he was tenderly brought up with his father, and not inured to business and hardship, and so... 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

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