*H And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians, and all the house of Pharao heard.
Ver. 2. Weeping, with a loud cry, being unable to restrain himself. The servants, who were in the adjoining apartments, heard this cry and declaration of Joseph, acknowledging one common father with these men; and they presently conveyed the intelligence to the king. H.
*H And he said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. And when they were come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
Ver. 4. Nearer; that no one might hear what he was going to say respecting their fault. M. — It is thus we ought to treat those who have injured us. He excuses his brethren as much as possible. H. See C. l. 20.
* Footnote * Acts 7 : 13
And at the second time, Joseph was known by his brethren: and his kindred was made known to Pharao.*H Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for your preservation.
Ver. 5. Hard. Heb. "Be not indignant in your eyes." Perhaps he was afraid, lest they should begin to accuse one another, as the authors of the deed, and thus disturb the harmony of this reconciliation. He perfectly understands the conduct of divine Providence, which can draw good out of evil, and cause even the malice of men to co-operate in the execution of his designs. C. — God did not sanction or will this malice, as Calvin, &c. impiously assert. T.
*H For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, wherein there can be neither ploughing nor reaping.
Ver. 6. Reaping, as in common years, though the places near the Nile might produce some little; (M.) and hence the Egyptians ask Joseph for seed. C. xlvii. 19. C.
*H Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God: who hath made me as it were a father to Pharao, and lord of his whole house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.
Ver. 8. Counsel. Joseph's brethren had no design of elevating him to so high a dignity; but God's will directed Pharao to appoint him his counsellor or prime minister. His father. H. — So the Roman emperors styled the prefects of the Prætorium, and the Caliphs their chief minister. C.
*H And thou shalt dwell in the land of Gessen: and thou shalt be near me, thou and thy sons, and thy sons' sons, thy sheep, and thy herds, and all things that thou hast.
Ver. 10. Gessen, to the north-east of Egypt, near me, at Tanis, in the Delta and near the promised land, being a part of Arabia. H. — Heliopolis, where many suppose Joseph resided, is situated in the same canton, and was one of the chief cities after Ramesse, the capital. C. xlvi. 28. This country is often refreshed by showers of rain, (C.) which never falls in most parts of Egypt. It is intersected by many canals, and is very rich and proper for pasturage. H.
*H And there I will feed thee, (for there are yet five years of famine remaining) lest both thou perish, and thy house, and all things that thou hast.
Ver. 11. Perish. Heb. be reduced to poverty. He fed them like the priests. C. xlvii. 12. 22. C.
*H Behold, your eyes, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, see that it is my mouth that speaketh to you.
Ver. 12. My mouth. You now recognize my features and my speech; particularly you, my dear Benjamin. H. — I speak no longer by an interpreter. M.
*H And it was heard, and the fame was spread abroad in the king's court: The brethren of Joseph are come; and Pharao with all his family was glad.
Ver. 16. Family, and courtiers. They were all so enraptured with Joseph's conduct, that they rejoiced in whatever gave him pleasure. M. — They thought, perhaps, that his relations would resemble him, and be of service to Egypt. H.
*H And bring away from thence your father and kindred, and come to me; and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, that you may eat the marrow of the land.
Ver. 18. Marrow; which is an emphatical expression, to signify the best things of Egypt. Chal. Heb. "the fat, or the cream of the land." C.
*H And leave nothing of your household stuff; for all the riches of Egypt shall be yours.
Ver. 20. Leave nothing. Heb. may have another meaning, which Calmet approves. "Let not your eye spare your furniture." Be not concerned to leave what may be useless, as most of the husbandry utensils would be in Egypt, "for all," &c.
*H He ordered also to be brought out for every one of them two robes: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, with five robes of the best:
Ver. 22. Two robes (stolas) hanging down to the feet. These properly belong to women. But they are worn by men in the East. It was customary to make presents of such robes, as it is still among the great men and kings of that country. Lucullus kept 6000 cloaks in his wardrobe. Horat. 1. sat. 2. C. — Of silver, sicles. The Sept. has "of gold," as also C. xxxvii. 28.
*H Sending to his father as much money and raiment; adding besides, ten he-asses, to carry off all the riches of Egypt, and as many she-asses, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.
Ver. 23. As much...besides. This is omitted in Heb. or at least is left ambiguous. "He sent in like manner to his father ten," &c. But the Syr. and Sept. explain it like the Vulgate. — She-asses. Sept. "mules." — Bread. Heb. adds, "meat," or provisions. C. — These presents might convince Jacob that Joseph was still alive. H.
*H So he sent away his brethren, and at their departing said to them: Be not angry in the way.
Ver. 24. Angry. A prudent admonition at all times, but particularly now, to Joseph's brethren; lest reflecting on his excessive kindness, they should each wish to remove from themselves the stigma of cruelty towards him, by throwing it upon others. H. — Heb. may be rendered, "fear not." C.
*H And they told him, saying: Joseph, thy son, is living; and he is ruler in all the land of Egypt. Which when Jacob heard, he awaked as it were out of a deep sleep, yet did not believe them.
Ver. 26. He awaked, &c. His heart was overpowered between hope and distrust. He seemed to himself to be dreaming. Sept. "in an ecstacy." Such a sudden transition has oftentimes caused death. H.
*H They, on the other side, told the whole order of the thing. And when he saw the wagons, and all that he had sent, his spirit revived,
Ver. 27. Revived; like a lamp, which was just going out, for want of oil, resumes fresh vigour when a new supply is poured in. S. Chrys.