Gen. 42 Jacob hearing there was corn in Egypt, sends all his sons thither but Benjamin, Gen. 42:1–5. They bow before Joseph, who knew them, but not they him; he treats them roughly, Gen. 42:6–8; remembers his dreams; charges them for spies, Gen. 42:9–12.

When Jacob saw, i.e. heard, as the word is used, Ex. 20:18; as seeing is put for smelling, Ex. 5:21; and for tasting, Ps. 34:8; and for touching, John 20:29.

I have heard: this word explains the word saw, Gen. 42:1. Get you down; for Egypt was lower than Canaan; whence, on the contrary, they are said to go up to Canaan, Gen. 45:9.

Because he was very young, and now his best beloved son.

He sold to the people; either, 1. By his ministers and commissioners appointed to that end, as men in Scripture and in all authors are said to do that which others do by their authority and command. Or, 2.

He spake roughly unto them; partly, to bring their sin to remembrance; partly, to get the knowledge of the true state of his father and family; and partly, to further the following design, and make way for his and their greater happiness.

Because his visage was much altered by his beard, and by other things, it being about twenty years since they saw him; and his Egyptian language, and habit, and carriage, together with the great dignity of his place, prevented all suspicions concerninging their brother.

This he saith, not because they were so, or he thought them to be so, but that he might search out the truth of their affair, speaking too much like a courtier or politician. The nakedness of the land, i.e. the weak parts of it, and where it may be best assaulted or surprised.

We are all one man’s sons, and therefore not spies; for it is not likely either that a father would venture so many sons upon so hazardous an employment, or that such a work would have been trusted in the hands of one family only.

i.e. Is dead, as that phrase often signifies both in Scripture, as Gen. 37:30, Gen. 44:20, Jer. 31:15, Matt. 2:17–18, and in other authors, as Homer, Euripides, &c. They concluded with great probability that he was dead, Gen.

This justifies my accusation; for it is not probable that one man should have so many sons, all grown up and living together in one family, and that he should expose them all to the perils of such a journey.

By the life of Pharaoh, as sure as Pharaoh lives. It seems to be the form of an oath in use among the Egyptians, as afterwards the Romans used to swear by the name, genius, health, and life of their emperors. Compare 1 Sam. 1:26, 1 Sam. 17:55, 2 Kings 2:2, Ezek. 33:11.

I will spare your lives, and not punish you with death as spies, and you shall carry provisions, that your family also may live; for I fear God, and therefore will not be cruel to you, nor to your brother whom you shall leave with me.

Your prison, in which you are now imprisoned, and are still like to be so, if you accept not this condition.

i.e. Resolved and promised to do so. Those things are oft said to be done in Scripture which were sincerely resolved upon, as hath been noted before.

This is the just punishment of that great wickedness, which though we could cover from men, yet we now see and feel was known to God, who is now reckoning with us for it.

i.e. The punishment of his blood or death occasioned by us.

He turned himself and wept tears, partly of natural affection and compassion towards his brethren, now in great distress and anguish; and partly of joy, to see the happy success of his design and rigorous carriage, in bringing them to the sight of their sins.

And after him the rest by his example and information did so, as is affirmed Gen. 43:21, and it is not denied here.

They were afraid, lest this should be a design to entrap, and so destroy them. Whoever were the instruments, they knew that God was the chief author of this occurrent, and wisely reflect upon his providence in it, and their own guilt which provoked him against them.

i.e. Their fear returned upon them with more violence, having now more leisure to consider things, and their wise and experienced father suggesting new matters to them, which might more deeply affect them.

Simeon is not; he gave him up for lost, as being, as he thought, in the power of a cruel enemy. All these things are against me; I am the great sufferer in all these things: you carry yourselves as if you were neither concerned nor affected with them.

Slay my two sons, two of the four mentioned Gen. 46:9. An absurd proposition, neither fit for him to make, nor for Jacob to accept.

He is left alone, to wit of his mother, my dear Rachel.