Jacob is hardly persuaded to send Benjamin, 1-14. Joseph entertains his brothers, 15-18. They reveal their fears to the steward, 19-25. Joseph makes them a feast, 26-34.
1 And the famine was severe in the land. 2 And it came to pass, when they had consumed the grain which they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back, buy us a little food." 3 And Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly protested to us, saying, 'You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.' 4 If you will 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 so ill with me, as to tell the man whether you had another brother?" 7 And they said, "The man asked us strictly concerning our state and our kindred, saying, 'Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?' And we told him according to the tenor of these words. Could we certainly know that he would say, 'Bring your brother down?'" 8 And Judah said to Israel, his father, "Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go so that we may live and not die—we, you, and also our little ones. 9 I will be surety for him. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not delayed, surely now we would have returned a second time."
11 And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so now, do this: take some of the best fruits in the land in your vessels and carry to the man a present—a little balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds. 12 And take double money in your hand. And the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks, carry it back in your hand. It may be that it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man so that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved." 15 And the men took these presents, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin, and arose, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, "Bring these men home, and slay and make ready, for these men shall dine with me at noon." 17 And the man did as Joseph commanded. And the man brought the men into Joseph's house. 18 And the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house, and they said, "Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, we are brought in, so that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us and take us for slaves, along with our donkeys." 19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house and they communed with him at the door of the house, 20 And said, "O sir, we came down indeed at the first time to buy food. 21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. And we have brought it back in our hand. 22 And we have brought other money down in our hands to buy food. We cannot tell who put our money in our sacks." 23 And he said, "Peace be to you. Do not fear. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money." And he brought Simeon out to them. 24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. And he gave their donkeys provender. 25 And they made ready the present until the coming of Joseph at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there.
26 And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house and bowed themselves to him to the earth. 27 And he asked them about their welfare and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?" 28 And they answered, "Your servant, our father, is in good health. He is still alive." And they bowed their heads and made obeisance. 29 And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?" And he said, "May God be gracious to you, my son." 30 And Joseph made haste, for his heart yearned toward his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered into his chamber and wept there. 31 And he washed his face, went out, and refrained himself, and said, "Serve the bread." 32 And they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, for the Egyptians do not eat bread with the Hebrews because that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birth-right and the youngest according to his youth. And the men wondered at one another. 34 And he took and sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Genesis, Chapter 43[➚]