Genesis 44

Genesis 44:2

AND put] All this was plotted by Joseph in this manner, to discover his brethrens affections towards Benjamin, that if they did forsake and leave him in slavery, through envy and malice, as they had done by him, he might then keep him with him, in honour and safety; but if they did shew themselves well-affected towards him, hee might then discover himselfe unto them, and forgive what was past, and doe them some good:

Genesis 44:5

Whereby] This also is fainedly spoken to aggravate the theft. Now such manners of divining by Cups, and Basons full of water, were frequent amongst the Egyptians, and Chaldeans, and were done with certaine plates and Characters, and invocations of the devill, who answered them out of the water, to such questions as were demanded of him. See upon Genesis 30:37.

Genesis 44:15

Such a man as I] He spake thus fainedly according to the common opinion, as if Joseph were one of the wise men of Egipt, which were all addicted to magick.

Genesis 44:16

God hath] Wee are convinced by God himselfe, no excuse can serve in a fact which is so evident: He speaketh thus, imagining some of them had beene faulty. Or his meaning is, God by this accident, whereof wee are innocent, will punish us for other sinnes.

Genesis 44:21

Set mine eyes] That is as much as to say, will be so farre satisfied as to see him: Or I will do him any favour, and take him into my particular protection.

Genesis 44:27

My wife] Rachel, my most lawfull and dearest. See Genesis 46:19.