Genesis 45:19-20 - Exposition

Now thou art commanded, this do ye ;—an apostrophe to Joseph, Pharaoh manifestly regarding the cause of Joseph and his brethren as one (Rosenmüller, Keil, Lange, and others)— take you wagons out of the land of Egypt— the carriages here referred to ( עַגָּלוֹת , from עָגַּל to roll) were small two-wheeled vehicles suitable for a fiat country like Egypt, or for traversing roadless deserts. They were usually drawn by cattle, and employed for carrying agricultural produce. Herodotus mentions a four-wheeled car which was used for transporting the shrine and image of a deity (2:63; vide Rawlinson's edition, and note by Sir G . Wilkinson) for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. Pharaoh meant them to understand that they had not only Joseph's invitation, but his (Pharaoh's) commandment, to encourage them to undertake so serious a project as the removal of their households to Egypt. Also regard not your stuff —literally, and your eyes shall not ( i.e. let them not) grieve for your utensils ( i.e. articles of domestic furniture), although you should require to leave them behind ( LXX ; Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, Lange, et alii ). The rendering of the Vulgate, nee dimittatis quicquid de supellectili vestra, conveys a meaning exactly the opposite of the true one, which is thus correctly expressed by Dathius: Nec aegre ferrent jacturam supellectilis suet . For the good of all the land of Egypt is yours —literally, to you it ( sc . shall belong).