48443 matching verse commentaries
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he overtook them,.... Their asses being laden with corn could not travel very fast, and he and his attendants being mounted on swift horses: and he spake unto them these same words; that Joseph had ordered him to say, and so what follows particularly, Genesis 44:10.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And they said unto him, wherefore saith my lord these words?.... One of them, in the name of the rest, perhaps Judah, made answer, as astonished at the charge laid against them, suggesting that there was not the least foundation for it, and were quite surprised to hear anything of this kind alleged against them: God forbid that thy servants should...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Behold, the money which we found in our sacks mouths;.... Upon their return from Egypt, the first time they went thither for corn: we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan; which was a full proof of their honesty: they might have kept it until it was called for and demanded of them, but of themselves they brought it with them, as being...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found,.... The silver cup: both let him die; which was rashly said, since they might have thought the cup might be put in one of their sacks unknown to them, as their money had been before; and besides, death was a punishment too severe for such a crime, and therefore is by the steward himself moderated; but...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said, now also [let] it [be] according unto your words,.... Not according to the full extent of their words, but according to a part of them; that be only should be a servant that was found guilty; so moderating the punishment which they had fixed, and were willing to submit to, and therefore could not object to what he next proposes: he...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground,.... To be opened and examined, and this they did in all haste, as having a clear conscience, and being confident that nothing could be found upon them, and desirous of having the affair issued as soon as possible, that the steward might have full satisfaction, and they proceed on in...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he searched,.... To the bottom of them, not content to look into the mouth of them being opened, but rummaged them, and searched deeply into them to find the cup, which was the thing charged upon them he was solicitous to find; as for the money in the sack's mouth he took no notice of that, nor is there any mention of it: [and] began at the...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then they rent their clothes,.... In token of sorrow and distress, being at their wits' end, like distracted persons, not knowing what to do: this was usually done in the eastern countries when any evil befell, as did Jacob, Genesis 37:34; and as the Egyptians themselves did when mourning for their dead, as Diodorus Siculus (q) relates: and laded...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house,.... Judah is particularly mentioned because he was the principal spokesman, and was chiefly concerned for the safety of Benjamin, being his surety: for he [was] yet there; Joseph was yet at his own house, was not as yet gone to the granaries, to look after the affairs of the corn, and the sale and...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this ye have done?.... An action so wicked, base, and ungrateful, attended with such aggravated circumstances, that it can scarcely be said how bad a one it is, and may be well wondered at, that men who had received such favours could ever be guilty of; this he said, putting on a stern countenance, and...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And Judah said, what shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak?.... Signifying that they were nonplussed, confounded, knew not what to say; they could not acknowledge guilt, for they were not conscious of any, and yet could not deny the fact, the cup being found on one of them; and though they might have a suspicion of fraud, yet were afraid...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And he said, God forbid that I should do so,.... This would be doing an unjust thing, Joseph suggests, should he take them all for bondmen, for the offence of one: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; not die, as they had supposed, but become his servant: and as for you, get ye up in peace unto your father; they...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
Then Judah came near unto him,.... Being the spokesman of his brethren, and the surety of Benjamin: he plucked up a spirit, put on courage, and drew nearer to the governor, and with much freedom and boldness, and in a very polite manner, addressed him: and said, O my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears; not admit him...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
My lord asked his servants,.... The first time they came down to Egypt to buy corn; he puts him in mind of what passed between them at that time: saying, have ye a father or a brother? which question followed upon their saying that they were the sons of one man, Genesis 42:11.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And we said unto my lord, we have a father,.... Yet living in the land of Canaan: an old man; being one hundred and thirty years of age, Genesis 47:9; and a child of his old age; who was born when he was near an hundred years of age: and a little one; not in stature, but in age, being the youngest son, and much younger than they: so they...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And thou saidst unto thy servants, bring him down unto me,.... Judah does not relate the reason of his order, which was to give proof that they were no spies, but as if Joseph designed to show favour to Benjamin, as undoubtedly he did: that I may set mine eyes upon him; not barely see him, as Aben Ezra interprets it, though that would be, and was,...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And we said unto my lord, the lad cannot leave his father,.... That is, his father will not be willing to part with him: for [if] he should leave his father, [his father] would die; with grief and trouble, fearing some evil was befallen him, and he should see him no more.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And thou saidst unto thy servants,.... In answer to the representation of things made by them, and notwithstanding that: except your youngest brother come down with you, you shall see my face no more; which though not before related in the discourse, which passed between Joseph and his brethren, in express terms, yet might be justly inferred from...
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And it came to pass, when we came unto thy servant my father,.... In the land of Canaan: we told him the words of my lord; what he had said to them, particularly respecting Benjamin.
John Gill - Exposition - John Gill
And our father said,.... After some time, when the corn was almost consumed they had bought in Egypt: go again, [and] buy us a little food; that may suffice fill the famine is over; see Genesis 43:1.