Genesis 43:33

_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...

33._The first-born according to his birthright _(170) Although of the sons of Jacob four were born of bond-women; yet, since they were the elder, they had precedence of their younger brethren, who had descended from free-born mothers; whence it appears that they had been accustomed by their father to keep this order. What, then, some one may say, becomes of the declaration, “the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman?” Truly, I think, since Ishmael was rejected, by the divine oracle proceeding from the mouth of Sarah, as Esau was afterwards, Jacob was fully taught that he had as many heirs as he had sons. Hence arose that equality which caused each to keep his place, first, middle, or last, according to his age. But the design of Moses was to show, that although Benjamin was the youngest, yet he was preferred to all the rest in honor; because Joseph could...

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 43:33. _THE FIRST-BORN ACCORDING TO HIS BIRTHRIGHT_] This must greatly astonish these brethren, to find themselves treated with so much _ceremony_, and at the same time with so much _discernment_ of their respective ages....

- 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 SAT BEFORE HIM,.... At a table, so placed that they were in his sight, and he had a full view of them: THE FIRSTBORN ACCORDING TO HIS BIRTHRIGHT, AND THE YOUNGEST ACCORDING TO HIS YOUTH; everyone according to his age, Reuben, the firstborn, first, and so on to Benjamin the youngest: thus they placed themselves as they used to be in their father's family, or they were so placed by Joseph; and if this was the case, it may be a reason, and a principal one, of what follows: AND THE MEN MARVELLED ONE AT ANOTHER; not the Egyptians, the guests of Joseph, seeing eleven brethren placed in this manner, and these being Hebrews, taken so much notice of; but Joseph's brethren, who either wondered at the manner of their being seated so regular, according to their age; or at the honour done them to dine with the governor, and at the grandeur of the entertainment, and at the separate manner i...

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....