Gen. 43 The famine continuing, and their provision being spent, Jacob commands them to go again to Egypt, Gen. 43:1–2. They prevail with their father to send Benjamin: Judah undertakes for him, Gen. 43:3–10. He gives them presents, double money, and his blessing, Gen. 43:11–14.

He saith a little, either to show that he took no thought to satisfy his or their curiosity or luxury, but only their necessity, for which a little would suffice, and that they must all moderate their appetites, especially in a time of such scarcity; or to encourage them to the journey, by…

Ye shall not see my face. See the same expression, 2 Sam. 14:24, 2 Sam. 14:32, Acts 20:25, Acts 20:38. Ye shall not be admitted into my presence, nor to the purchasing of any corn here.

We will not go down, because we shall both lose the end of our journey, viz. the getting of corn, and run the utmost hazard of all our lives.

We told him according to the tenor of these words; we gave answers suitable to his questions, or such as his words required.

Judah, for his age and prudence, and penitent carriage for his youthful follies, was most beloved and regarded by his father. The lad; so he calls him, because he was the youngest of all, though he was now thirty years old, and a father of divers children. See Gen. 30:22, Gen. 35:18, Gen.

Of all which see Gen. 37:25. The nuts were of that kind which we call pistaches, as some Hebrew and other expositors render the word; for that was both an excellent fruit, and peculiar to Judea and Syria, and well agreeing with the almonds which here follow.

An expression whereby he submits himself and children to God’s will and providence, whatever the issue shall be. Compare Est. 4:16. Or thus, As I have been already bereaved of some of my dearest children, so I shall be bereaved of the rest, and I shall be left solitary; and if this be my portion,…

The usual time for the more solemn meal in the east countries, as the evening was the time, and the supper the great meal, among the Romans.

Take us for bondmen, the proper punishment for thieves.

Peace be to you; no harm shall come to you for that matter. Your God, and the God of your father: thus he speaks, because Joseph had instructed him, as well as others of his family, in the true religion. Hath given you treasure, by his power and providence secretly putting it there.

Thy servant; by which expression delivered in Jacob’s name, and by his order, Jacob himself made obeisance to him, as was foretold, Gen. 37:9.

Saw his brother, i.e. more narrowly observed him, having now more leisure than he seems to have had when he saw him first, Gen. 43:16. My son; so he calls him, not from special affection, which he intended not yet to discover; but because this compellation is commonly used when a man speaks to…

His bowels did yearn; his heart and inward parts were vehemently moved, as they commonly are upon occasion of any excessive passion, of love, pity, grief, or joy, &c.

They set on for him by himself; partly because the dignity of his place, and the custom of princes, required this state; and partly for the reason here following.

The youngest according to his youth; being so placed either by Joseph’s appointment; or rather by their own choice, and according to their custom; by which the elder, though the handmaidens’ children, took place of the younger, who by that order were taught what veneration they owe to the aged, and…

It was the ancient custom of Egypt and other countries in their feasts, that either all the meat, or at least some eminent parts and parcels of it, were not promiscuously set before all the guests, but peculiarly distributed by the master of the feast to the several guests, and that differently,…