Bible Commentaries
Genesis 43

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 43:1, Jacob is hardly persuaded to send Benjamin; Genesis 43:15, Joseph entertains his brethren; Genesis 43:19, They discover their fears to the steward; Genesis 43:26, Joseph makes them a feast.

Verse 1

Genesis 18:13, Genesis 41:54-57, Genesis 42:5, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Lamentations 5:10, Acts 7:11-13

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:10 - was a Genesis 42:19 - carry corn Genesis 47:4 - for the famine Deuteronomy 26:5 - ready Ruth 1:1 - a famine 2 Samuel 21:1 - a famine

Verse 2

Genesis 43:4, Genesis 43:20, Genesis 42:1, Genesis 42:2, Proverbs 15:16, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 31:16, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:19 - carry corn Genesis 44:1 - Fill the Genesis 44:25 - General Deuteronomy 26:5 - ready Acts 7:12 - General

Verse 3

man: Genesis 42:15-20, Genesis 42:33, Genesis 42:34, Genesis 44:23

did solemnly protest: Heb. protesting, protested, Acts 7:34

see my face: Genesis 43:5, 2 Samuel 3:13, 2 Samuel 14:24, 2 Samuel 14:28, 2 Samuel 14:32, Acts 20:25, Acts 20:38

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:10 - I have seen Genesis 43:7 - asked us straitly Genesis 43:20 - we came indeed down 1 Corinthians 15:31 - protest

Verse 4

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:2 - get you Genesis 43:2 - General Genesis 44:26 - General

Verse 5

will not: Genesis 42:38, Genesis 44:26, Exodus 20:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:20 - bring Genesis 43:3 - see my face Genesis 44:23 - General Genesis 44:25 - General

Verse 6

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:11 - wherefore

Verse 7

asked us straitly: Heb. asking asked us, Genesis 43:3, *marg.

tenor: Heb. mouth

could we certainly know: knowing could we know, Genesis 43:3, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:13 - Thy servants Genesis 43:20 - we came indeed down Genesis 44:19 - General Genesis 44:20 - a child

Verse 8

lad with me: Genesis 42:38, Genesis 44:26, Exodus 20:12

that we: Genesis 42:2, Deuteronomy 33:6, 2 Kings 7:4, 2 Kings 7:13, Psalms 118:17

also our: Genesis 45:19, Genesis 50:8, Genesis 50:21, Numbers 14:31, Ezra 8:21

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:35 - called Genesis 44:16 - Judah Genesis 44:20 - a child Genesis 44:32 - General Genesis 46:28 - Judah Nehemiah 5:2 - we take up corn

Verse 9

will be: Genesis 42:37, Genesis 44:32, Genesis 44:33, 1 Kings 1:21, Job 17:3, Psalms 119:122, Philemon 1:18, Philemon 1:19, Hebrews 7:22

of my hand: Genesis 9:5, Genesis 31:39, Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 33:6, Ezekiel 33:8, Luke 11:50

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:13 - Upon Genesis 29:35 - called Genesis 44:16 - Judah Proverbs 6:1 - if thou be

Verse 10

Genesis 19:16

this second time: or, twice by this

Verse 11

If it must be: Genesis 43:14, Esther 4:16, Acts 21:14

carry down: Genesis 32:13-21, Genesis 33:10, Genesis 37:25, Deuteronomy 33:14, 1 Samuel 9:7, 1 Samuel 25:27, 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 10:25, 1 Kings 15:19, 2 Kings 8:8, 2 Kings 16:8, 2 Kings 20:12, Psalms 68:29, Psalms 72:10, Psalms 76:11, Proverbs 17:18, Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 19:6, Proverbs 21:14, Ezekiel 27:17

a little balm: Genesis 37:25, Jeremiah 8:22, Ezekiel 27:15

balm: For an explanation of the words tzori, nechoth, and lot, here rendered respectively balm, spices, and myrrh, see note on Genesis 37:25. Devash, honey, is supposed by some not to have been that produced by bees, but a syrup produced from ripe dates. The Jewish doctors observe, that the word in 2 Chronicles 31:5 signifies dates; and the Arabians, at this day, call the choicest dates preserved with butter, dabous, and the honey obtained from them, dibs, or dabs. Benanim, nuts signifies pistachio nuts, the finest thing found in Syria; but, according to the others, a small nut, the produce of a species of the turpentine tree. Shekaidim is certainly almonds.

honey: Leviticus 20:24

spices: 1 Kings 10:15, Song of Solomon 4:10, Song of Solomon 4:14-16, Song of Solomon 5:1, Song of Solomon 8:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:20 - I will appease Genesis 43:25 - General Genesis 45:23 - good things Numbers 18:30 - the best 1 Samuel 15:26 - I will not 1 Samuel 16:20 - an ass laden 1 Samuel 25:18 - took two 1 Kings 10:10 - spices 2 Chronicles 9:9 - of spices Proverbs 17:8 - whithersoever Song of Solomon 1:13 - bundle Jeremiah 46:11 - Gilead Matthew 2:11 - presented

Verse 12

double: Romans 12:17, Romans 13:8, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Philippians 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Hebrews 13:8

mouth: Genesis 42:25, Genesis 42:35

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:21 - we have Genesis 44:8 - the money Deuteronomy 26:5 - ready Joshua 9:11 - with you 2 Chronicles 28:7 - next to the king

Verse 13

Genesis 42:38

Verse 14

Genesis 43:11

And God: Genesis 17:1, Genesis 22:14, Genesis 32:11-28, Genesis 39:21, Ezra 7:27, Nehemiah 1:11, Esther 4:16, Psalms 37:5-7, Psalms 85:7, Psalms 100:5, Psalms 119:41, Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs 16:7, Proverbs 21:1, Isaiah 49:13, Luke 1:50, Acts 7:10, Acts 21:14, 1 Timothy 1:2, 1 Timothy 1:16, Titus 1:4, 2 John 1:3

If I be: etc. or, and I, as I have been, etc. Esther 4:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:12 - I pray Genesis 28:3 - God Genesis 35:11 - God Almighty Genesis 35:18 - Benjamin Genesis 42:4 - Lest Genesis 42:36 - Me have ye Genesis 43:23 - Simeon Genesis 44:12 - and the cup Genesis 44:29 - And if Ruth 1:20 - the Almighty Ruth 2:13 - Let me find Ezra 6:6 - be ye far Ezra 7:28 - extended Proverbs 29:26 - ruler's favour Ecclesiastes 2:20 - General Revelation 1:8 - the Almighty

Verse 15

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 28:7 - next to the king Proverbs 19:6 - and

Verse 16

the ruler: Genesis 43:19, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 24:2-10, Genesis 39:4, Genesis 39:5, Genesis 44:1

slay: Heb. kill a killing, Genesis 21:8, Genesis 26:30, Genesis 31:54, 1 Samuel 25:11, Tevoch taivach, "slay a slaying," or make a great slaughter: Let preparations be made for a great feast or entertainment. See note on a similar form of speech in Genesis 31:54. 1 Samuel 25:11, Proverbs 9:2

dine with: Heb. eat

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:25 - General Genesis 43:32 - eat bread Genesis 44:14 - he was yet Genesis 44:32 - General Luke 17:8 - Make

Verse 18

the men: Genesis 42:21, Genesis 42:28, Genesis 42:35, Judges 13:22, Job 15:21, Psalms 53:5, Psalms 73:16, Isaiah 7:2, Matthew 14:26, Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:16

seek occasion against us: Heb. Roll himself upon us, Deuteronomy 22:14, Deuteronomy 22:17, Judges 14:4, Job 30:14, Romans 7:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:9 - and we 2 Samuel 9:7 - Fear not Daniel 6:4 - sought

Verse 19

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:2 - the Genesis 42:20 - bring Genesis 42:23 - he spake unto them by an interpreter Genesis 43:16 - the ruler Genesis 44:1 - the steward Matthew 20:8 - unto Luke 16:1 - a steward

Verse 20

we came indeed down: Heb. coming down we came down, Genesis 43:3, Genesis 43:7, Genesis 42:3, Genesis 42:10, Genesis 42:27, Genesis 42:35

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:2 - General 1 Kings 3:17 - O my lord

Verse 21

we came: Genesis 42:27-35

we have: Genesis 43:12, Romans 12:17, Romans 13:8, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 2:12, 1 Peter 3:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:16 - weighed Genesis 42:35 - every man's Genesis 44:8 - the money Luke 2:7 - the inn

Verse 22

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:8 - the money

Verse 23

Peace: Judges 6:23, Judges 19:20, 1 Samuel 25:6, 1 Chronicles 12:18, Ezra 4:17, Luke 10:5, Luke 24:36, John 14:27, John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26

I had your money: Heb. Your money came to me, Caspechem ba ailai, "your money comes to me:" as I am the steward, the cash for the corn belongs to me. Ye have no occasion to be apprehensive of any evil; the whole transaction is between myself and you; receive therefore the money as a present from "the God of your father," no matter whose hands he employs to convey it.

Simeon: Genesis 43:14, Genesis 42:24, Genesis 42:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:25 - the God 1 Samuel 25:5 - greet him 2 Samuel 9:7 - Fear not Ephesians 6:23 - Peace 3 John 1:14 - Peace

Verse 24

Genesis 18:4, Genesis 19:2, Genesis 24:32, Luke 7:44, John 13:4-17

Reciprocal: Judges 19:20 - Peace be Judges 19:21 - So he brought

Verse 25

Genesis 43:11, Genesis 43:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:31 - bread Genesis 44:14 - he was yet Exodus 2:20 - call him Exodus 18:12 - eat bread

Verse 26

bowed: Genesis 43:28, Genesis 27:29, Genesis 37:7-10, Genesis 37:19, Genesis 37:20, Genesis 42:6, Psalms 72:9, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:2 - bowed Genesis 32:13 - a present Genesis 33:3 - bowed Isaiah 49:23 - bow

Verse 27

welfare: Heb. peace, Genesis 37:14, Genesis 41:16, Exodus 18:7, Judges 18:15, 1 Samuel 17:22, 1 Samuel 25:5, 1 Chronicles 18:10

Is your father well: Heb. Is there peace to your father, the old. Genesis 42:11, Genesis 42:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:6 - Is he well 2 Samuel 8:10 - salute him

Verse 28

bowed: Genesis 43:26, Genesis 37:7, Genesis 37:9, Genesis 37:10

made obeisance: Exodus 18:7, 2 Samuel 1:2, 2 Samuel 14:4, 1 Kings 1:16, 2 Chronicles 24:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:2 - bowed 1 Samuel 20:41 - and fell Proverbs 14:19 - General Mark 15:19 - and bowing

Verse 29

mother's son: Genesis 30:22-24, Genesis 35:17, Genesis 35:18

of whom: Genesis 42:11, Genesis 42:13

God: Genesis 45:8, Joshua 7:19, 2 Chronicles 29:11, Psalms 133:1, Psalms 133:2, Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22, Mark 10:24, 1 Timothy 1:2, Hebrews 13:1

my son: Numbers 6:25, Psalms 111:4, Psalms 112:4, Isaiah 30:19, Isaiah 33:2, Malachi 1:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:4 - Lest Genesis 44:19 - General Genesis 44:21 - Bring 1 Samuel 3:6 - General John 11:6 - he abode

Verse 30

his bowels: 1 Kings 3:26, Jeremiah 31:20, Hosea 11:8, Philippians 1:8, Philippians 2:1, Colossians 3:12, 1 John 3:17

wept there: Genesis 42:24, John 11:33-38, Acts 20:19, Acts 20:31, Acts 20:37, 2 Timothy 1:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:11 - kissed Genesis 33:4 - embraced Genesis 45:1 - could not Esther 5:10 - refrained Song of Solomon 5:4 - my bowels John 11:35 - General 2 Corinthians 7:15 - inward affection is

Verse 31

refrained: Genesis 45:1, Isaiah 42:14, Jeremiah 31:16, 1 Peter 3:10

bread: Genesis 43:25

Reciprocal: Esther 5:10 - refrained John 11:33 - was troubled

Verse 32

eat bread: Genesis 43:16, Genesis 31:54

for that is an abomination: The Chaldee Paraphrast renders this clause, "Because the Hebrews eat the cattle which the Egyptians worship." But, as we learn from Genesis 43:16, compared with this verse, that the provision for the entertainment of the Egyptians themselves was animal food, this reason cannot be just. The true reason seems to be that assigned by the LXX, הוכץדלב דבס וףפים פןיע ידץנפיןיע נבע נןילחם נסןגבפשם· "For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians." Genesis 46:34, Exodus 8:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:13 - the Genesis 29:8 - until Genesis 39:6 - save Genesis 44:2 - General Deuteronomy 33:16 - and upon the top 1 Samuel 9:22 - in the chiefest Proverbs 23:1 - General

Verse 33

Gen. 43; Genesis 44:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:18 - for this Exodus 28:10 - according to their birth

Verse 34

messes: 2 Samuel 11:8

was five times: Sir John Chardin observes, that "in Persia, Arabia, and the Indies, there are some houses where they place several plates in large salvers, and set one of these before each person, or before two or three, according to the magnificence of each house. The great men of the state are always served by themselves, in the feasts that are made for them; and with great profusion, their part of each kind of provision being always double, treble, or a larger proportion of each kind of meat." Genesis 45:22, 1 Samuel 1:5, 1 Samuel 9:22-24

were merry: Heb. drank largely, Proverbs 31:6, Ecclesiastes 9:7, Ecclesiastes 10:19, Song of Solomon 5:1, Habakkuk 1:6, Matthew 11:19, John 2:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:4 - embraced Ruth 3:7 - his heart 1 Samuel 9:23 - Bring Esther 1:10 - the heart Psalms 11:6 - portion Zechariah 10:7 - and their