Genesis 43:8 NASB,NASB

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 43:8

Genesis 43:8. Send the lad— Benjamin was now more than twenty-four years of age, and a father of several children, see ch. Genesis 46:21. The Hebrews call the youngest of the family a lad, without regard to age, 2Sa 18:12, 1 Chronicles 22:5. See also ch. Genesis 37:30. That we may live and not die— The famine being severe, their corn is quickly spent. Jacob, with tender regard for his family, presses them to go; but Judah convinces him of the hopelessness of their journey, unless he will spare... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 43:1-15

Judah evidently took the lead and spoke for his brothers because Jacob had already refused Reuben (Genesis 42:37-38), Simeon was in Egypt, and Levi had previously forfeited his father’s confidence (ch. 34). As Reuben had done (Genesis 42:37), Judah offered to bear responsibility in Jacob’s place, but in contrast to Reuben, Judah took personal responsibility for Benjamin’s safety (Genesis 43:9). From this point on, Judah becomes the leader of Jacob’s sons (cf. Genesis 49:8-10; Matthew 1:2;... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 43:1-34

The Second Visit to Egypt11. Balm] or ’balsam,’with healing properties. Honey] This was grape-honey, a syrup made of grapes and diluted with water for a drink. It is still exported from Hebron to Egypt. Syria is famous for its pistachio nuts and almonds which do not grow in Egypt.12. Double money] (1) to repay that put in the sack, and (2) to purchase fresh stores.18. Again the guilty conscience which dreads every fresh event. 30. Bowels] regarded as the seat of the affections by the Hebrews:... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 43:8

(8) The lad.—Benjamin was now between twenty and thirty years of age. The term “lad” in Judah’s mouth is one of affection, but even in itself it suits very well to a youth of this age. Rebekah (in Genesis 24:16) is called in the Hebrew a lad (see Note there), and so is Shechem in Genesis 34:19. The assertion, therefore, that Benjamin is here represented as a mere boy, is disproved by the use of the word in the Hebrew.Our little ones.—Heb., our “tafs” that is, our households. (See Note on... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 43:1-34

Genesis 43:2 What a deeply interesting life was that of Jacob the supplanter! It is a life full of incident. And in that life the story of Joseph is perhaps the most illuminative. The dreaming days are over. The house of Potiphar, with its subtle temptation, and the prison with its dark despair are for ever gone, and Joseph sits a ruler, the ruler of Egypt. Famine drives his brothers, at their father's request, to seek his face, known only to them as the great Egyptian governor. They bow... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:1-34

VISITS OF JOSEPH’S BRETHRENGenesis 42:1-38; Genesis 43:1-34; Genesis 44:1-34"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."- Genesis 50:19-20.THE purpose of God to bring Israel into Egypt was accomplished by the unconscious agency of Joseph’s natural affection for his kindred. Tenderness towards home is usually increased by residence in a foreign land; for absence, like a little death, sheds a halo round those separated from us.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 43:1-34

CHAPTER 43 The Second Visit to Joseph 1. The journey to Egypt with Benjamin (Genesis 43:1-15 ) 2. The kindness of Joseph (Genesis 43:16-34 ) read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 43:1-34

THE BROTHERS RETURN TO EGYPT The famine continued until Jacob and his family had eaten up all the provision they had gotten from Egypt. Then Jacob urged his sons to go again and bring more food from Egypt (v.2). This time Judah (the one who had taken the lead in selling Joseph) protest to his father that the governor of Egypt had absolutely decreed that if they returned without Benjamin they would be refused. Therefore he said they would not go unless they could take Benjamin. He offered to... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 43:1-34

JOSEPH ’S HISTORY DISPENSATIONAL ASPECT OF JACOB’S HISTORY Following F.W. Grant in the Numerical Bible, the life of Jacob gives as its lesson the story of that discipline by which the Spirit of God brings us from weakness to power, from nature’s strength to that wholesome weakness in which alone is strength. But for this, natural strength must be crippled, which is provided for in two ways: in allowing us to realize the power of another nature (Esau) and in the direct dealing of God with our... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 43:4-9

I detain the Reader to remark the character here assumed by Judah as a surety, in which he was an eminent type of JESUS. It was JESUS, who from everlasting undertook to answer for his people. And in this great office he hath fulfilled all righteousness, and expired all offences and is new pledged, (as Judah said here), to bring all his people and set them before his father. Sweetly is it said of him that he restored that which he took not away. Psalms 69:4 . read more