Gen. 45 Joseph no longer able to refrain, discovers himself to his brethren, and weeps; asks concerning his father: they are troubled at his presence, Gen. 45:1–3. He forbids their grief for their sin, and comforts them with God’s gracious design and providence in it, Gen. 45:4–8.

Cause every man to go out from me; remove all the Egyptians out of my presence and chamber. Which he did, partly that he might maintain the honour of his place, and not make himself cheap and contemptible to the Egyptians, by his excessive tears and passions, and by his free, and familiar, and…

His tears and voice which had been hitherto kept in by main force, now breaking forth with greater violence. The Egyptians, and the house of Pharaoh; some who were near, with their own ears, and others by report.

He repeats his former question, Gen. 43:27, either because he questioned the truth of their former relation, or would be further satisfied in it, it being usual with men to ask over and over again what they long to know; or because he now desired a more particular relation of his father’s…

Come near to me; be not afraid of me, but come nearer to me with cheerfulness and confidence, that you may be assured that I am he, and that we may more freely and privately discourse together, so as none others may hear.

1706 Be not grieved, to wit, immoderately, and for the injury which you did to me, or for the danger which you have brought upon yourselves. Otherwise he doth not dissuade them from a godly sorrow for their offence against God, for the procurement of which he dcsigned and used that strange and…

Neither sowing nor reaping, except in a few places near Nilus, because the people could not spare seed-corn, and would not lose it; understanding from Joseph that their cost and labour would be lost, and that the famine would be of long continuance.

That you and your children might be sustained and preserved in this time of famine, and afterwards abundantly multiplied, as God hath promised. By a great deliverance, or, for a great remnant, or escaping, i.e.

That I came to this place, and pitch of honour and power, is not to be imputed to your design, which was of another nature, but to God’s overruling providence, which ordered the circumstances of your action, so as I should be brought to this place and state. Compare Gen. 50:20.

Goshen, a part of Egypt bordering upon Canaan, well watered and fit for cattle, and therefore most proper for the Israelites, not only for present use, and to keep them at some distance from the inward parts of Egypt, and from the court, but also that they might have Canaan always in their eye and…

Because I speak to you not by an interpreter, as hitherto I have done, but immediately, and in the Hebrew language.

To wit, freely and familiarly, being encouraged by his kindness.

Because they all owed their lives unto Joseph, and his favour was now fresh and present, and therefore he had more influence upon them, and they more kindness for him.

The choicest fruits of the land. Fat oft is put for the best of my sort, as Num. 18:12, Num. 18:29, Deut. 32:14, Ps. 63:5, Ps. 147:14.

Besides that absolute power which I have given thee to dispose of all things as thou pleasest, I do particularly and especially command thee to do this thing.

Regard not your stuff; Heb. let not your eye pity or spare any part of your stuff, as loth to leave it behind you, or afraid to lose it. Sparing or pitying is an act of the mind, but it is ascribed to the eye here, as also Ezek. 7:4, Ezek. 7:9, Ezek.

Changes of raiment; new and handsome garments, which upon their coming into Pharaoh’s presence, and on other occasions, they might wear instead of those more old and homely ones, which they brought with them from Canaan. Compare Judg. 14:12, Judg. 14:19, 2 Kings 5:5.

After this manner; Heb. according to this. What? Either what went before, changes of raiment, or what follows, ten asses, & c. Or, contend, one with another, each vindicating himself, and laying the blame upon his brother.

Or contend one with another, each vindicating himself, and laying the blame upon his brother.

Jacob’s heart fainted, or, was weakened, or failed, he fell into a swoon, as it is ordinary, because of the greatness and suddenness of the news, and the conflict of contrary and violent passions, raised hereby; grief at the remembrance of his former loss, and excessive joy for Joseph’s recovery…

I desire no more, no greater happiness in this world, than to see him; which when I have done, I am willing to die.