Genesis 43:17-18 - Exposition

And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house. And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house . " A more natural picture of the conduct of men from the country, when taken into the house of a superior, cannot be drawn. When they are told to go inside they at once suspect that they are about to be punished or confined. And they said ( sc . To themselves), Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us ,—literally, that he may roll himself upon us (cf. Job 30:14 ; Psalms 22:8 ; Psalms 37:5 ; Proverbs 26:3 ). "To say a man rolls himself upon another is the Eastern way of saying he falls upon him" and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. The brethren of Joseph were clearly apprehensive of some serious stratagem to deprive them of liberty.