Genesis 44

Genesis 44:2

PƲt my cup] We may not by this example use any unlawfull practises, seeing God hath commanded us to walke in simplicitie, 2 Corinthians 1:12. & Chap. 11. 3. Joseph did this haply to try their affections to their brother Benjamin, whether they were well affected to him or envious at him, for the extraordinary favour he had shewed unto him.

Genesis 44:4

follow after] Pursue them with a convenient number of horse that you may overtake them, and bring Benjamin from them, though they would offer to rescue him.

Genesis 44:5

whereby he divineth] It was the manner of the heathens, (and it is like among them, of the Egyptians) in the Ceremonies of Divination sometimes to use a Cup, sometimes a Bason; and Joseph bearing himselfe as an Egyptian, and supposed by the people to be such a Diviner, and to use such Ceremonies, he taketh the matter upon him; or his Steward in his name speaketh as if he divined by that Cup: Or the words may be, not in which, or by which he divineth; but of which, that is, he can divine, that is, tell where it is, and who hath taken it away, or by this Cup discover your dealing in this businesse, though it were done in secret: Or the word in the Originall may signifie a prudent presaging or insight by conjecturall tryall; so there is no need to conceive that Joseph played the Soothsayer, after the Egyptian manner, which no doubt he detested, having a divination, or revelation from God of an higher, and holyer kind then this; yet in that he was content to be taken for an Egyptian Diviner, or fained that he consulted with Soothsayers, his simulation was his sinne, as his swearing before; for he was but a man, though of the best sort, and as a man no doubt had his faylings, as others of the Patriarchs: his example then is no patterne for any ones profession, or practise of such superstitious discoveries.

Genesis 44:8

we brought againe] This is brought in as an argument of their true dealing, who were so ready to restore, not charged, or perhaps not chargeable by any with any wrong.

Genesis 44:9

let him die] This was a speech both too generall, and too severe, like that of Jacobs their father, Chap. 31. 32. but in this the more inconsiderate, because they should have remembred, how their money was put into their sacks before, without their knowledge, and have thought that the like might be done concerning the Cup; yet such a confident asseveration was an argument of innocencie in those that made it.

Genesis 44:10

shall be my servant] The servant of Joseph speakes thus, as in his Masters name, and right; for Joseph himselfe came not out after them, for at his brethrens returne to the Citie he was yet in his house, vers. 14.

Genesis 44:13

rent their clothes] To signifie how greatly the thing displeased them, and how sorry they were for it: see Annot. on Chap. 37. vers. 29. This was very hard usage by Joseph, but it was of good use for triall and exercise of humilitie and patience, and it lasted but a while, and at last was recompensed with comfort.

Genesis 44:15

can certainly divine] See Annot. on vers. 5.

Genesis 44:16

What shall we speake] Their consciences were cleare, and their conviction seemed as cleare, so that for the present they knew not what they should say by way of apologie for themselves.

God hath found out] Here is nothing said nor pretended by way of excuse, or defence, but rather a confession, as though they were guiltie of the fact, when they were all free; for Judah speaking first, (and it may be in some hast, as more engaged in the matter then the rest, because of his undertaking for the returne of Benjamin, Chap. 43. vers. 9.) might upon the sudden misdoubt there was some fault in some of his brethren, or if not concerning the Cup, he might recall to mind the conspiracie against his brother Joseph, and thinke that God was meet with them for that, as Chap. 42. vers. 21. Howsoever, if we see no evident cause of our affliction, let us looke to the secret counsell of God who punisheth us justly for our sinnes.

we are my Lords servants] Judah first gives up their libertie lost, who was the first mover for the selling of his brother Joseph for a servant, Genesis 37. vers. 26, 27. The law concerning theft was in Moses time that restitution should be made in some cases double, in some foure-fold, and he that could not make such a recompence was to be sold, and become his slave, to whom he was a thiefe, Exodus 22. vers. 31. but in this case their owne words exposed them to a greater perill, even to the losse of their lives, vers. 9. and though therein they spake not wisely, here they answer honestly, and professe themselves (at least Judah for himselfe and the rest, and none of them spake a word to the contrary) ready to make good, what they had said though they die for it; which may be justly applied to the reproofe of those, who will stand to nothing they say, if it make against themselves; and so for their advantage, or to avoid damage, make no scruple to break their words, and sometimes also their solemne oathes.

Genesis 44:18

in my Lords eares] Judah coming neere and desirous to speake in Josephs eare seemeth to be repugnant to that, Chap. 42. vers. 23. where it is said, that Joseph spake unto his brethren by an Interpreter, or (as in the marginall variation according to the Hebrew) an Interpreter was between them; because the Hebrews understood not the Egyptian tongue, no would Joseph bearing himselfe as an Egyptian seeme to understand the Hebrew tongue; why then did Judah draw neere, and desire to speake in his eare, as by way of secret whispering? Answ. First, for his drawing neere it was convenient for him that spake to advance a little before the rest of his brethren towards him, who was to be spoken to. Secondly, for that he saith of speaking in his eare, it doth not necessarily imply any whispering speech to be heard by one alone, as may appeare by the like phrase, Gen. 50. vers. 41. Exodus 11:2. Deuteronomy 5:1. and in divers other places.

Thirdly, if Judah did come neere, and desire to speake to him privately without an Interpreter, it were not repugnant to that, Chap. 42. vers. 23. for in Egypt Joseph was generally knowne to be an Hebrew, for he was accused under that name, Chap. 39. vers. 14. 17. and so committed to prison, and in prison he was taken for an Hebrew, Chap. 41. 12. and under that title sent for to the Court in great hast, vers. 14. And so being famous by his divine wisdome, interpretation of dreames, and by his great change from a poore prisoner to a prime Courtier, it might easily be known to his brethren, (especially now at their second coming, having beene so entertained by him, as no strangers were but they) that he was an Hebrew, though they knew not of what particular Family he was, nor durst presume to take further notice of him then he was pleased to allow of.

even as Pharaoh] That is, having his royall power for a great part of it in thy administration, and though not in equall authoritie with him, yet next unto him.

Genesis 44:19

Have ye a father] This passed betwixt Joseph and his brethren at a former conference, but is not set downe untill now, when Judah tooke occasion to relate what had passed.

Genesis 44:20

child] The word Jeled, in the Originall properly signifieth a child newly borne, as Exodus 1:17. & Chap. 2. vers. 7, 8. Or a child not yet weaned, Gen. 21. vers. 8. and the same word was applied to Joseph when he was seventeene yeares of age, Gen. 37. vers. 30. And this extenuating terme is given either out of compassion, importing tendernesse, such a tendernesse as one would use to a little child, as in that case of Joseph; or it is taken by way of excuse, as an officious lie, as in this place, to keepe Benjamin at home with his father, as if he were so little and so tender, that he were unfit and unable to take, or to be brought so long a journey.

a little one] That is, the least in yeares, though by this time the father of divers children, (for at his coming into Egypt with Jacob he was the father of ten, Chap. 46. vers. 21.) and then (as some account his age) he was thirty years old, at the least foure or five and twenty.

Genesis 44:26

We cannot goe downe] In the 43. Chap. vers. 5. Judahs words are we will not goe downe, but here rehearsing them to Joseph he saith, we cannot goe downe; this repeating is a kind of repenting, or correcting of his phrase: we will not, hath a savour of contumacie in it, we cannot, may agree with filiall duty; the former was said to Jacob on a sudden, the latter upon better advice, as under the awe of a superiour power of which he was to expect rather justice then favour. So we see second considerations are wiser then the first, and that feare will amend the faults which familiarity commits.

Genesis 44:27

my wife bare me] He saith not his wife Rachel by way of distinction from Leah, but calleth her his wife by way of eminence, as being first in his choyce, and dearest in his love, in comparison of whom the other was no wife, and had beene none, if there had not beene more fraud in her father, then there was love in him towards her.

Genesis 44:30

bound up in the lads life] If he came not backe he would thinke some deadly mischiefe had befallen him; as he did of Joseph; and such was the tendernesse of Jacobs heart, that if Benjamin should die, he could not live; this strength of affection was the weaknesse of that good man; yet commonly the parents are more kind to their children, then their children to them: and so there is not oftner an errour of excesse on the one side, then of defect on the other. But in this pathetick supplication and pleading Judah sheweth more love to his father, and his brother, then to himselfe; offering himselfe a prisoner, that Benjamin may goe free, and so his father may have none occasion of such griefe, as may hasten his death. A good example for sonnes that they shew themselves carefull of their parents content, and that they doe not (as many doe) either by their wickednesse, disobedience, or dissolutenesse grieve their hearts, and bring their heads before or when they be gray with sorrow to their graves.

Genesis 44:31

to the grave] See Annot. on Chap. 37. 5: 35.

Genesis 44:34

how shall I goe] Meaning he had rather remaine there prisoner, then returne and see his father in heavinesse: yea to see him die for griefe of that ill tydings which he should bring if he came backe without his brother Benjamin.