Genesis 43:32

_AND JOSEPH MADE HASTE; FOR HIS BOWELS DID YEARN UPON HIS BROTHER: AND HE SOUGHT WHERE TO WEEP; AND HE ENTERED INTO HIS CHAMBER, AND WEPT THERE._ Joseph said, Set on bread - equivalent to-have dinner served, bread being a term inclusive of all food. The table was a small stool, most probably in the usual round form, 'since persons might even then be seated according to their rank or seniority; and the modern Egyptian table is not without its post of honour and a fixed gradation of place' (Wilkinson). Two, or at most three persons were seated at one table. But the host being the highest in rank of the company, had a table to himself; whilst it was so arranged that an Egyptian was not placed nor obliged to eat from the same dish as a Hebrew. FOR THAT IS AN ABOMINATION. The Hebrews used for food male kine which the Egyptians universally sacrificed, and even female cows, which in Egypt wer...

32._Because the Egyptians might not eat, etc _(169) Moses says they might not eat with the Hebrews, because they abhorred it, as being unlawful. For seeing that their religion forbade it, they were so bound, that they could not do what they did not dare to do. This passage teaches us how great was the pride of that nation; for, whence did it arise that they so utterly detested the Hebrews, unless because they thought themselves alone to be pure and holy in the world, and acceptable to God? God, indeed, commands his worshipers to abstain from all the pollutions of the Gentiles. But it behaves any one who separates himself from others, to be himself pure and upright. Therefore superstitious persons vainly attempt to claim this privilege for themselves, seeing they carry their impurity within, and are destitute of sincerity. Superstition, also, is affected with another disease; namely, that...

26-34 Observe the great respect Joseph's brethren paid to him. Thus were Joseph's dreams more and more fulfilled. Joseph showed great kindness to them. He treated them nobly; but see here the early distance between Jews and gentiles. In a day of famine, it is enough to be fed; but they were feasted. Their cares and fears were now over, and they ate their bread with joy, reckoning they were upon good terms with the lord of the land. If God accept our works, our present, we have reason to be cheerful. Joseph showed special regard for Benjamin, that he might try whether his brethren would envy him. It must be our rule, to be content with what we have, and not to grieve at what others have. Thus Jesus shows those whom he loves, more and more of their need. He makes them see that he is their only refuge from destruction. He overcomes their unwillingness, and brings them to himself. Then, as...

Verse Genesis 43:32. _THEY SET ON FOR HIM BY HIMSELF, C._] From the text it appears evident that there were _three_ tables, one for Joseph, one for the Egyptians, and one for the eleven brethren. _THE EGYPTIANS MIGHT NOT EAT BREAD WITH THE HEBREWS_] There might have been some _political_ reason for this, with which we are unacquainted but independently of this, two may be assigned. 1. The Hebrews were _shepherds_; and Egypt had been almost ruined by hordes of lawless wandering banditti, under the name of _Hycsos_, or _King-shepherds_, who had but a short time before this been expelled from the land by _Amasis_, after they had held it in subjection for 259 years, according to _Manetho_, committing the most wanton cruelties. 2. The Hebrews sacrificed those animals which the Egyptians held sacred, and fed

- Joseph and His Eleven Brethren 11. דבשׁ _d__e__bash_, “honey,” from the bee, or sirup from the juice of the grape. בטנים _bôṭ__e__n_, “pistachio nuts.” שׁקד _shâqêd_, “almond tree;” related: “awake.” The tree is also called לוּז _lûz_. Some refer the former to the fruit, the latter to the tree. The eleven brothers are now to bow down before Joseph. Genesis 43:1 The famine was severe. The pressure began to be felt more and more. The twelve households had at length consumed all the corn they had purchased, and the famine still pressed heavily upon them. Jacob directs them

EXPOSITION GENESIS 43:1, GENESIS 43:2 AND THE FAMINE WAS SORE (literally, _was heavy_)_ _IN THE LAND (_sc_._ _of Canaan). AND IT CAME TO PASS, when they had eaten up—literally, _had finished to eat up, i.e._ not nearly (Mercerus, Bush), but entirely consumed—THE CORN WHICH THEY HAD BROUGHT OUT OF EGYPT,—it is probable that only Jacob's family partook of the Egyptian corn, the slaves supporting themselves on roots, vegetables, and milk (Calvin, Rosenmüller, Gerlach)—THEIR FATHER SAID UNTO THEM, GO AGAIN, BUY US A LITTLE FOOD. What they could buy would be little in proportion to their needs....

AND THEY SET ON FOR HIM BY HIMSELF,.... A table was placed and provisions set upon it in one part of the room for Joseph by himself; which was done either because he was an Hebrew, and the Egyptians might not eat with him, nor he with them; or rather for the sake of grandeur, he being the next man in the kingdom to Pharaoh: AND FOR THEM BY THEMSELVES; another table was placed and spread for Joseph's brethren by themselves, the reason of which is after given: AND FOR THE EGYPTIANS, WHICH DID EAT WITH HIM, BY THEMSELVES; a third table was laid for such Egyptian noblemen and others, who were at this time Joseph's guests, or used to dine with him: BECAUSE THE EGYPTIANS MIGHT NOT EAT BREAD WITH THE HEBREWS, FOR THAT [IS] AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE EGYPTIANS; the reason of which, as given by the Targums of Onkelos and, Jonathan, is, because the creatures the Egyptians worshipped the Hebrews ea...

CHAPTER 43 THE SECOND VISIT TO JOSEPH _ 1. The journey to Egypt with Benjamin (Genesis 43:1)_ 2. The kindness of Joseph (Genesis 43:16)...

GENESIS 43. THE BROTHERS RETURN TO EGYPT WITH BENJAMIN. It is generally held that this chapter is from J except for the references to Simeon in Genesis 43:14 and Genesis 43:23_ b_. According to J, Simeon seems to have played no special part, and there is not the same urgency for return as in E; the discussion as to Benjamin is postponed till the corn is spent. Genesis 42:38 perhaps originally stood after Genesis 43:2. In the conversation Judah takes the part taken by Reuben in E (as in the discussion as to the killing of Joseph), and we learn that Joseph had ascertained Benjamin's existence by inquiry. Arrived in Egypt, they are tak

The Reception in Joseph's House 15. _stood before Joseph_ The story is condensed. The men on arrival in Egypt are required to present themselves for purposes of trade before Joseph....