genesis-42:6-25,-genesis-42:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:23

And they knew not that Joseph understood them ,.... For what is above related they spoke in his presence and hearing; but speaking to one another in the Hebrew language, and he being an Egyptian, as they took him to be, they did not imagine that he could understand them, and therefore were not at all upon their guard in what they said: and what confirmed them in this was: for he spake unto them by an interpreter ; which he the rather chose to do, that they might have no suspicion of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:24

And he turned himself about from them, and wept ,.... Hearing his brethren confess their sin and guilt to one another in selling him, and Reuben's affectionate concern for him, it wrought so much upon his affections, being naturally of a tender spirit, that he could no longer act the part he had, and keep up the sternness and severity of his countenance; wherefore he turned his face from them, that they might not discern it, and his back upon them, and went into another room: and after he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:25

Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn ,.... Which was as much as they came for: and to restore every man's money into his sack ; the money paid by each for his quantity of corn delivered to him, not into the person's hands, but to be put into his sack privately, and unknown to him: and to give them provision for the way ; sufficient both for themselves and for their cattle, that they might carry the whole of what corn they bought to their families: and thus did he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

Joseph was the governor - שליט shallit , an intendant, a protector, from שלט skalat , to be over as a protector; hence שלטים shelatim , shields, or arms for protection and defense, 2 Samuel 8:7 ; and שלטון shilton , power and authority, Ecclesiastes 8:4 , Ecclesiastes 8:8 ; and hence the Arabic sultan , a lord, prince, or king, from salata , he obtained and exercised dominion, he ruled. Was it not from this very circumstance, Joseph being shallit , that all the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:9

Ye are spies - אתם מרגלים meraggelim attem , ye are footmen, trampers about, footpads, vagabonds, lying in wait for the property of others; persons who, under the pretense of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which ye belong (see Genesis 42:11 ;) may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle in it themselves; or, having plundered it, retire to their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:11

We are all one man's sons - We do not belong to different tribes, and it is not likely that one family would make a hostile attempt upon a whole kingdom. This seems to be the very ground that Joseph took, viz., that they were persons belonging to different tribes. Against this particularly they set up their defense, asserting that they all belonged to one family; and it is on the proof of this that Joseph puts them, Genesis 42:15 , in obliging them to leave one as a hostage, and insisting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:13

One is not - An elliptical sentence, One is not alive. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:15

By the life of Pharaoh - פרעה חי chey Pharaoh , Pharaoh liveth. As if he had said, As surely as the king of Egypt lives, so surely shall ye not go hence unless your brother come hither. Here therefore is no oath; it is just what they themselves make it in their report to their father, Genesis 43:3 ; : the man did solemnly protest unto us; and our translators should not have put it in the form of an oath, especially as the original not only will bear another version, but is absolutely... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:18

I fear God - ירא אני האלהים את eth haelohim ani yare , literally translated the passage runs thus, I also fear the gods; but the emphatic ה ha is probably added by Joseph, both here and in his conversation with Pharaoh, the more particularly to point out the eminence and perfection of the Supreme Being as contradistinguished from the gods of Egypt. He seems to say to his brethren, I am a worshipper of the true God, and ye have nothing to fear. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:21

We are verily guilty - How finely are the office and influence of conscience exemplified in these words! It was about twenty-two years since they had sold their brother, and probably their conscience had been lulled asleep to the present hour. God combines and brings about those favorable circumstances which produce attention and reflection, and give weight to the expostulations of conscience. How necessary to hear its voice in time, for here it may be the instrument of salvation; but if not... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 42:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 42:21

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