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Genesis 43:1
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Joseph’s Brothers Return with Benjamin

1 Now the famine was asevere in the land.  
2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go aback, buy us a little food.”  
3 But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your abrother is with you.’  
4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.
5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”
6 And Israel said, “Why did you deal so1 wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”  
7 But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may alive and not die, both we and you and also our little ones.  
9 I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. aIf I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.  
10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”
11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and acarry down a present for the man—a little bbalm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.  
12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money athat was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.  
13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.
14 And may God aAlmighty bgive you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. cIf I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”  
15 So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went adown to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.  
16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the asteward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter1 an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.”  
17 Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
18 Now the men were aafraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may1 make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”  
19 When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house,
20 and said, “O sir, awe indeed came down the first time to buy food;  
21 but ait happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.  
22 And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”
23 But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought aSimeon out to them.  
24 So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and agave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.  
25 Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and abowed down before him to the earth.  
27 Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man aof whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”  
28 And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” aAnd they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.  
29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, ahis mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother bof whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”  
30 Now ahis heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and bwept there.  
31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the abread.”  
32 So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the aHebrews, for that is ban abomination to the Egyptians.  
33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his abirthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.  
34 Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was afive times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him. 
Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
<< Genesis 42:38   Genesis 43:2 >>


Genesis 43:1-34

Jacob is persuaded to send Benjamin into Egypt. (1-14) Joseph's reception of his brethren, their fears. (15-25) Joseph makes a feast for his brethren. (26-34) Verses 1-14 Jacob urges his sons to go and buy a little food; now, in time of dearth, a little must suffice. Judah urges that Benjamin should go with them. It is not against the honour and duty children owe their parents, humbly to advise them, and when needful, to reason with them. Jacob saw the necessity of the case, and yielded. His prudence and justice appeared in three things. 1. He sent back the money they had found in the sack. Honesty obliges us to restore not only that which comes to us by our own fault, but that which comes to us by the mistakes of others. Though we get it by oversight, if we keep it when the oversight is discovered, it is kept by deceit. 2. He sent as much again as they took the time before; the price of corn might be risen, or they might have to pay a ransom for Simeon. 3. He sent a present of such things as the land afforded, and as were scarce in Egypt, balm, and honey, &c. Providence dispenses not its gifts to all alike. But honey and spice will never make up the want of bread-corn. The famine was sore in Canaan, yet they had balm and myrrh, &c. We may live well enough upon plain food, without dainties; but we cannot live upon dainties without plain food. Let us thank God that what is most needful and useful, generally is most cheap and common. Though men value very highly their gold and silver, and the luxuries which are counted the best fruits of every land, yet in a time of famine they willingly barter them for bread. And how little will earthly good things stand us in stead in the day of wrath! How ready should we be to renounce them all, as loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Our way to prevail with man is by first prevailing with the Lord in fervent prayer. But, Thy will be done, should close every petition for the mercies of this life, or against the afflictions of this life. Verses 15-25 Jacob's sons went down the second time into Egypt to buy corn. If we should ever know what a famine of the word means, let us not think it much to travel as far for spiritual food, as they did for bodily food. Joseph's steward had orders from his master to take them to his house. Even this frightened them. Those that are guilty make the worst of every thing. But the steward encouraged them. It appears, from what he said, that by his good master he was brought to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Hebrews. Religious servants should take all fit occasions to speak of God and his providence, with reverence and seriousness. Verses 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 he sees good, he gives them some taste of his love, and welcomes them to the provisions of his house, as an earnest of what he further intends for them.


 
<< Genesis 42:38   Genesis 43:2 >>

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