Bible Commentaries

did solemnly protest. Hebrew "protesting he protested". Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). See note on Genesis 26:28.

Israel. Note the name. Jacob is used of his weakness (Genesis 42:36, &c), Israel of his resignation to God's will. In this use of the names Jacob and Israel, men might well invent a Jacobite and Israelite authorship, as well as an Elohist and Jehovist theory!

ill. Hebrew. R a"a. See App-44.

asked us straitly. Hebrew "asking he asked us". Figure of speech Polyptoton. See note on Genesis 43:3 above, and Genesis 26:28.

could we certainly know. Hebrew "knowing could we know". Figure of speech Polyptoton. See note on Genesis 26:28,

forever. Hebrew "all the days".

best fruits in the land. Hebrew "the praise of the land". Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Cause). App-6. "Praise" put for the choice fruits which called forth the praise.

God Almighty. Hebrew. El Shaddai. App-4.

mercy. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). Mercy put for the favours shown.

house. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). House put for the servants of it.

slay. Hebrew "slay a slaying". Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6, = slay abundantly.

as = according as.

we came indeed. Hebrew "coming down, we came down". Figure of speech Polyptoton. See note on Genesis 26:28

Peace. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species). Peace put for all its blessings.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

treasure = hidden or secret treasure.

bread. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species). App-6. Bread put for all kinds of food.

bowed themselves. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulg, add "with their faces". Compare Genesis 37:7, Genesis 37:8.

your father . . . the old man = your aged father.

bowed down, &c. Compare Genesis 37:7-10.

Benjamin. Now twenty-two, and father of ten sons. Compare Genesis 46:21.

wept. See note on Genesis 42:24.

they sat. Egyptian pictures show that it was the custom to sit at meals.

firstborn. Joseph thus showing that he knew their ages and order, and causing them to marvel.

youngest, &c. This was to try them, and see whether they were still "moved with envy". Compare Genesis 37:4, Genesis 37:8, Genesis 37:11, Genesis 37:18. It was also a type of the coming day, when the true Joseph will be able to do for the scattered and mingled tribes what was done here for the tribal heads. Compare Zechariah 12:9-14.

marvelled [and looked] at one another. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), thus supplied.

took and sent, &c. Hebrew "lifted liftings". Figure of speech Polyptoton, for emphasis = sent choice portions.

five times. The number of grace. See App-10, and Compare Genesis 41:34; Genesis 45:22; Genesis 47:2, Genesis 47:24.

were merry. Hebrew drank abundantly. Compare Haggai 1:6. John 2:10.