“And the famine was sore in the land.”
This was a great tentation to Jacob to suffer so great famine in that land where God had promised to bless him.
“And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. did: Heb. protesting protested”
Cross references: : Gen. 42:20
“And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? asked: Heb. asking asked us tenor: Heb. mouth could: Heb. knowing could we know”
Hebrew, to the mouth of these words : that is, that thing which he asked us. Or, of our estate and condition.
“I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:”
Gen. 44:32 Hebrew, I will sin to thee .
“And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:”
When we are in necessity or danger, God forbiddeth not to use all honest means to better our estate and condition.
“And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved. If: or, And I, as I have been, etc.”
Our chief trust ought to be in God, and not in worldly means. He speaketh these words not so much of despair, as to make his sons more careful to bring again their brother.
“And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay , and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. slay: Heb. kill a killing dine: Heb. eat”
Or, to the ruler of his house.
“And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, 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, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses. seek: Heb. roll himself upon us”
Hebrew, roll himself upon us . Hebrew, cast himself upon us . So the judgment of God pressed their conscience.
“And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them. I had: Heb. your money came to me”
Notwithstanding the corruptions of Egypt, yet Joseph taught his family to fear God. Or, you are well.
“And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.”
For they two only were born of Rachel.
“And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.”
To signify his dignity. The nature of the superstitious is to condemn all others in respect of themselves.
“And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. were: Heb. drank largely”
Sometimes this word signifieth to be drunken, but here it is meant, that they had enough, and drank of the best wine.