Genesis 42

Genesis 42:1

JAcob saw] That is, heard, or understood, or as surely beleeved as if he had seen it, (though he had it but by report, vers. 2.) because the sight gives best assurance (for one eye-witnesse is of more credit then many eare-witnesses) therefore it is many times used for the notice that is taken, or comes in by hearing; as the people are said to see the thunderings, and the noise of the Trumpet, Exodus 20:18. and sometimes also for the knowledge of things by the other senses, as have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, Exodus 5:21. Savour is apprehended by the nose or palate, not by the eies. Yea, by reason also, or by faith; because many things are apprehended as assuredly by the light of reason, and evidence of faith, as if they were set before our eyes.

corne] Heb. breaking. Why corne is called breaking, sundry Writers give severall reasons; some suppose it is called breaking because it breaketh hunger; some, for that it is broken, or taken off from the heape; some, because it is broken by the mill; and some, for that it is broken into divers parts, and distributed when it is sold; and so Sheber the Hebrew word here used (which some read breaking) signifieth buying and selling, Amos 8:5. Or, generally any act whereby distribution is made.

Why doe ye look] Or, gaze: as men destitute of counsell, or so perplexed and amazed in mind as not knowing what to doe to be furnished with food against the famine; a grievous, and terrible affliction, when the violence is sometimes such as makes many like hungry dogs to feed upon abominable meats, and to pay a deare rate for them; as in the famine of Samaria an Asses head was sold for fourescore pieces of silver, and a little Pigeons dung for five pieces of silver, 2 Kings 6:25. (the Pigeons dung (as Josephus noteth) served in stead of salt, Joseph. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 2. pag. 227.) and sometimes it is so fierce that it makes the mother to use her teeth, instead of her lips to her owne child, to bite without pitie the infant which she was used to kisse, and instead of giving it suck, to let out the bloud of it, Deuteronomy 28. vers. 57. which hath beene done in a famine, not onely by some hard hearted mothers, but by such as were of a kind, and tender nature, as the Prophet Jeremie sheweth, The hands of the pitifull women have sodden their owne children, they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people, Lamentations 4:10. and they that have nothing besides themselves to offer up in sacrifice to this mercilesse tyrant famine, are made sometimes to be so fierce towards themselves as to eat the flesh off their owne armes, Isaiah 9:20. The consideration hereof may be a motive of thankfulnesse to God though but for scraps, or crums which fall from the Tables of the wealthy; and may be a Caveat against murmuring at ordinary wants, and against wanton abuse of Gods bounty, when he gives abundance: and Jacob and his family having their part in this common calamitie (which was also the lot of his father Isaac, and of his grandfather Abraham, Genesis 26:1.) may be remembred to warne even the best, and holiest, that they expect not a priviledge from the common crosses of this life, nor bee too much perplexed (as it seemes Jacobs sonnes were) when God giveth them occasion to exercise their faith, and patience in the like kind; for that which is famine to others shall be but a fast or more moderate diet unto them, for God their Father will so provide for them (as in this case he did) that in the dayes of famine they shall be satisfied, Psalms 37:19.

Genesis 42:2

get you down] Egypt lay lower then Canaan, and therefore when Joseph sends his brethren for his father to Canaan, he saith, goe up, Chap. 45. ver. 9. but when he bids them bring his father into Egypt, he saith, Bring him downe hither, vers. 13. and Egypt lying lower was the fitter to be made fruitfull by the overflowing of Nilus. See Annot. on Chap. 13. 5: 1. See also, Chap. 46. vers. 4.

live and not die] (Chap. 43. 8. Psalms 118:17. Isaiah 38:1.) To live, and not die, is all one; yet the phrase is not idly, either varied, or doubled, but to expresse a strong affection in the speaker, and to imprint the like in the mind of the hearer; and sometimes the first imports a blessing of long life, the second a preservation from the second death by which damnation is noted, Revelation 20:6. 14.

Genesis 42:4

But Benjamin] Jacob was very tender towards Benjamin, as Josephs brother by Rachel whom he most dearly loved, and as the youngest of all his children. See Annot. on Chap. 37. vers. 3.

Genesis 42:6

bowed] (Chap. 43. 26. 28. & 44. 14. & 50. 18) Doing this homage to Joseph, as Master of the corne, they make good, though unwittingly, his prophetick dreame of his brethrens sheaves doing obeisance to his sheafe, Chap. 37. 5: 7.

Genesis 42:7

he knew them, but they] Some of them were at mans estate when they sold him, and by them he might guesse at the rest, especially hearing, and understanding their speech one to another; but he being then but seventeene yeares old, and now very neere fourtie, was so changed in countenance, and language, (speaking the Egyptian Tongue) in habit, and condition (being nobleman-like, which they little looked for, having sold him for a slave) that they could not know him.

made himselfe strange unto them] This dissembling was more sutable to the condition of an heathen Courtier, then to the qualification of a true Israelite in whom is no guile. John 1:47. and is therefore to be taken rather as an example of Caution, then of Imitation: But this strangenesse was kept with the better decorum, because he had so ordered the sale of eorne, that whereas he imployed others to sell to the natives, he himselfe sold unto strangers, for which purpose he appointed a peculiar place to furnish them, and that was the chiefe Citie of the Kingdome.

spake roughly] They deserved no better entertainement at his hands, who dealt roughly with him, and had no pitie on the anguish of his soule when he besought them to spare him, 5: 21. but Joseph did not this by way of grudge, or revenge, but to make them the more sensible of their owne ill dealing with him, and of his kindnesse to them, when he discovered himselfe unto them.

Genesis 42:9

to see the nakednesse] (Exodus 32:25.) That is, the weaknesse of the Land by want of wals, or other necessary safegard; for he that hath no armes or defence, may be said to be naked, as exposed to perill from the hands of enemies; as he that hath no cloathes, is exposed to the sharpenesse of the wind and weather.

Genesis 42:11

all one mans sonnes] That shews they were no Spies, for no man would send so many sonnes together for such a purpose: when Spies were sent by Moses to take a view, and to give information of the Land of Canaan, they were not sent many of one family, but one of a Tribe, Numbers 13:2. and their direction was to see the Land what it was, and the people that dwelt therein, whether they were strong or weak, few or many, and what they dwelt in, whether in Tents, or in strong holds, and what the Land was, whether it were fat, or leane, whether there were wood therein or not, Numbers 13:18,19, 20.

Genesis 42:12

Nay; but to see] See the second Annot. on 5: 7.

Genesis 42:13

one is not] (Lamentations 5:7.) That is, not alive, Chap. 44. vers. 20. See Annot. on Chap. 37. vers. 30. Or, not in this world, as was said of Enoch though he were not dead, but taken up alive, Genesis 5:24. Hebrews 11:5.

Genesis 42:14

This is it that I spake] That is, you pretend you have another brother, and have not, and therefore being false in this, ye are Spies and no true men.

Genesis 42:15

by the life of Pharaoh] Some read, Pharaoh liveth, some, let Pharaoh live, or, (which is the meaning) as Pharaoh liveth; Hebr. the lives of Pharaoh; if the words be rendred, Pharaoh liveth, or, let Pharaoh live, or, (which is the same in effect) as Pharaoh liveth, the sense may be, as truly as Pharaoh liveth ye shall not goe hence, as Ezekiel 33:11. As I live (saith the Lord) [I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked] So also, 1 Samuel 1:26. & Chap. 17. vers. 55. If [the lives of Pharaoh,] the meaning is, by the life, or, lives of Pharaoh, (of which expression in the plurall number, see Annot. on Chap. 2. vers. 7.) and so we may conceive Joseph had got a taint of the Courtiers language, which was to honour, and flatter the King, by taking his name into their attestations; so in after ages, it was the manner to sweare by the life or genius of the Emperour: a sinne which God hath forbidden, as a great dishonour to himselfe, Deuteronomy 6:13. compared with Matthew 4:10. so great, as if it were uncapable of pardon, Jer. 5. vers. 7.

ye shall not goe hence] That is, ye shall not all goe hence. Hebr. if ye shall goe hence; the words are suspensive, where the later part, which is implicitely a curse, is forborne; the sentence made out may be, if ye goe hence, let me be punished, or, I will be punished for you. See Annot. on Genesis 14:23.

Genesis 42:16

else by the life of Pharaoh] He sweares againe by the life of Pharaoh; it is like that he had contracted a custome (by his ill company) so to sweare; which sheweth how dangerous it is to be familiarly conversant with the wicked.

ye are spies] Though he sweare he doth not forsweare, for he calls them spies but conditionally, if they brought not their younger brother to him; which condition they accepted of, and so were to be taken as spies if they did not bring him.

Genesis 42:18

I feare God] (Nehem. 5. 15.) And therefore will be true and just in my promise. See Annot. on Genesis 20:11.

Genesis 42:21

we are guiltie] Affliction as a rack inforceth the confession of those faults, which otherwise would not be acknowledged, and consequently not pardoned, Prov. 28. vers. 13. 1 John 1:9. Though then affliction be not pleasant, as a banquet, it is profitable, as a medicine, for the recovery of the soule from the sicknesse of sinne; though it have been of long continuance: for the guilt of their sinne was about twentie yeares old, though the smart and anguish of it was not felt untill now, affliction wakened their consciences which before were asleepe; their bonds, and imprisonment were a meanes of freedome to their soules from the bonds of wickednesse, according to the words of Elihu; If they be bound in fetters, and holden in cords of affliction, then he sheweth them their worke, and their transgressions that they have exceeded; He openeth also their eare to discipline, and commandeth that they returne from iniquitie, Job 36. 8, 9, 10. See Hosea 5:15.

therefore is this distresse] Here they doe well to entitle their trouble to their sin; though they were no politique Spies, yet they deserved as much and more then they suffered; and herein their present state is answerable to their precedent fault, for they disdained that Joseph should have any preeminence above them, and now they are faine to doe humble homage unto him; they conspired against him, and he hath a plot to perplexe them, they bound him, and cast him into a pit, he commits them to close custody, whence they could not stirre, and binds the chiefe of their conspiracie before their faces; they would not heare him, when he begged to them for mercy, and he sheweth himselfe inexorable towards them; and so is Joseph a minister of divine justice upon them, for God hath said; Who so stoppeth his eare at the cry of the poore, he also shall cry himselfe, and shall not be heard, Proverbs 21:13. See Judges 1:7. Matthew 7:2. James 2:13.

Genesis 42:24

wept] (Chap. 43. 30.) Joseph had acted the part of a severe Inquisitour towards his brethren untill now, and now he can hold out his hypocrisie no longer; nature puts forth eyewitnesses of good affection to them, while art pretends both cause and purpose, of rigorous dealing with them: which was an assured proofe that he troubled them to doe them good, and not because they did or meant him hurt: and here we see how naturall affections are too strong to be kept in by artificiall disguises. Joseph was wise, yet could he not so keepe on his dissimulation, but his kindnesse overcame his craft; hence it is that hypocrisie will not long be hid, and that a lying tongue is but for a moment, while the lip of truth is established for ever, Prov. 12. vers. 19.

bound him] Simeon had a chiefe hand in the massacre of the Shchemites, and it is like he shewed himselfe most harsh. nd hard hearted to his brother, for if he had been but as well inclined to him as Reuben and Judah were (he being the eldest sonne but one) they three by their senioritie might have prevailed much with the rest in their brothers behalfe, wherefore he had most need of humbling; and it may be Joseph feared his perverse disposition would disswade his father from sending Benjamin unto him, and hoped that Simeon being the worst of his brethren, the detaining of him would be the least affliction to his father; howsoever he being left in his hands, Joseph wanted neither meanes, nor mind to use him with more respect, when he saw a meet season for it.

Genesis 42:25

provision for the way] To serve both them and their cattell, that is, their asses, vers. 27. in the way, that they might bring home all they had bought without diminution.

Genesis 42:27

as one of them opened] That there was but one sacke opened in the Inne may seeme by this saying; which appeares the more probable, because when they came home and emptied their sackes before Jacob, they were all afraid to see every man his money restored againe, which had not so much affected and affrighted them, if they had all opened them before in the Inne; and though Judah say they opened their sacks in the Inne, Chap. 43. 21. They that hold there was but one single sacke opened, reply to that, that as Noah, in the five hundreth yeare of his age, is said to beget Shem, Ham, and Japhet, Genesis 5:32. whereas he then began to beget them (and the same may be said of Terah, Genesis 11:26.) so they were said to open when they did but begin to open their sackes in the Inne, and finished the discovery at their coming home: But it seemes not probable, that when one sacke was opened, and they so troubled, but that they would presently make triall of the rest; and it is enough that the rest are mentioned to have done the like, Chap. 43. 21. and though upon the opening of their sacks in the presence of Jacob they were affrighted againe, that might be, not as at a new thing, but upon some new reason of danger discovered by their father, which from his apprehension of perill might worke a stronger operation of feare in them then before they conceived; or it might have so much new force as to renue their former feare, for a time intermitted.

Genesis 42:28

afraid] Guiltie persons are very timerous, and easily take a fright even at that which is done in favour, if it be strange and beyond expectation. See Leviticus 26:36.

that God hath done unto us] Because their consciences accused them of sinne, they thought God would have brought them to trouble by this money; Though they were most of them very faultie towards Joseph, and otherwise wicked, yet they rightly apprehended that punishment was the reward of sinne, and God the author of that punishment, and the disposer of that matter by his providence, which reacheth even to the smallest matters, Matthew 10:29.

Genesis 42:35

they were afraid] Sore afraid, for the Hebrew phrase is, their heart went out of them; upon the sight of their money, when they opened their sackes in the Inne, they were afraid that there was some subtle devise to ensuare them; See Annot. on vers. 27, 28. and now they open them at home, it is said they were afraid; it is like the first feare was sudden, and short, at least that it did not last untill they came home, yet with a second sight of the money their passion might returne upon them, especially their father being taken with it, and giving reasons for it, might easily receive the passionate apprehension of his sonnes, and so they were now (father and sonnes) afraid together: or, the sonnes would not acknowledge they had opened their sackes before, and found the money in them, lest their father should have chidden them, and so they faine a feare with him, as if now they had first taken notice of the matter.

Genesis 42:37

slay my two sonnes] He had foure sonnes, Genesis 46:9. therefore some read, for slay my two sonnes, slay two of my sonnes, or two which were then present, the other two at that time absent; but what securitie was this to Jacob, who would be more loath to slay two of his grand-children, then to send his sonne Benjamin? this was a passionate and inconsiderate speech of Reuben, yet so that Jacob might thinke that though his words were rash, there was some reason for his confident undertaking for Benjamins returne.