Genesis 42:10-12 - Exposition

And they said unto him. Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come . "They were not filled with resentment at the imputation" cast upon them by Joseph; "or, ff they were angry, their pride was swallowed up by fear" (Lawson). We are all one man's sons; we are true men , i.e. upright, honest, viri bonae fidei (Rosenmüller), rather than εἰρηνικοὶ ( LXX .), pacifici (Vulgate)— thy servants are no spies . It was altogether improbable that one man should send ten sons at the same time and to the same place on the perilous business of a spy, hence the simple mention of the fact that they were ten brethren was sufficient to establish their sincerity. Yet Joseph affected still to doubt them. And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come —assuming a harsh and almost violent demeanor hot out of heartless cruelty (Kalisch), but in order to hide the growing weakness of his heart (Candlish).