Genesis Chapter 43

Genesis 43 King James Version (KJV)

Verse 01. And the famine was sore in the land.

Note: This verse is to tie the two chapters together in context. We are still in the land of

Canaan in the area that Jacob occupied. The famine has continued to a point that it is

difficult for all creatures to exist.

Verse 02. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out

of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.

Key Phrase: And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought

out of Egypt; no doubt they lived sparingly on it in such a time of scarcity, to

make it last as long as they could. Perhaps only he (Jacob), his children and

grandchildren, might eat of it.

Note: The servants, as Calvin (See Handout #1) observes, might live on meaner food, as acorns,

herbs, and roots. It must not be thought that all this corn was eaten up entirely and

none left. But that the far greater part of it had been consumed and but very little

remaining. Otherwise, how should Jacob, and his sons' wives and children be supported

until the return of his sons from Egypt with fresh provisions?

Note: In so numerous a family as Jacob's was, having so many children, grandchildren and

servants. The amount of corn that nine men on so many asses could bring with them

must have been consumed in a short time, how long cannot be said though.

Key Phrase: their father said, go again, hoping that the famine would be over quickly, and

therefore orders them to go once more to Egypt, and buy some provisions.

Key Phrase: buy us a little food; Either to show that he took no thought to satisfy his or their

curiosity or luxury, but only their necessity. Jacob believes a little would suffice,

and that they must all moderate their appetites, especially in a time of such

scarcity in the land.

Verse 03. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying,

Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Key Phrase: And Judah spake unto him saying; Judah, with the consent of his brethren,

undertakes to manage the affair with him, who had doubtless an interest in him,

as well as authority among his brethren, was a prudent man and could speak well.

Note: Reuben the eldest son had met with a repulse already, Genesis 42:36. Simeon the next

was now in Egypt, Genesis 42:24, and Levi, perhaps on account of the affair of Shechem,

Genesis 34:25, did not yet stand well in his father's favor and affection.

Key Phrase: saying, the man did solemnly protest unto us; Meaning Joseph, though he then

knew not that it was him. Whom he calls "the man", not by way of contempt or as

thinking and speaking unkindly of him, but in the reverse as the great man or the

honorable man, the governor of Egypt. He in the strongest terms, and in the most

solemn manner, protested by the life of Pharaoh.

Key Phrase; saying, ye shall not see my face; That would be with acceptance or should not be

admitted, to come near him or have conference with him to purchase any corn

from him.

Key Phase: except your brother be with you; This is their youngest brother Benjamin.

Verse 04. If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food:

Verse 05. But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall

not see my face, except your brother be with you.

Note: This is the second time Jacob has heard it said by his sons the exact same words.

Note: That Judah makes it plain that they the sons would not go to Egypt without Benjamin.

Judah is in essence saying it is your decision to make.

Verse 06. And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye

had yet a brother?

Note: First we see Jacob addressed as Israel in this verse. He is now talking as the leader or the

father of Israel. The fact that he alone is responsible for the continued existence of what

is to become the nation of Israel.

Key Phrase: wherefore dealt ye so ill with me; Now we see Him cast blame on the sons they

done that which brought so much evil upon him, gave him so much grief and

trouble, and threw him into such perplexity and distress. He knew not what to do,

or course to take.

Key Phrase: as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? The reason for Israel (Jacob)

which he thought was done imprudently and unadvisedly and that there was no

need of it. Which, had it not been done, would have prevented this anxiety of

mind he was now in, and the mischief he feared would follow.

Note: Hind site is always 20/20 when you look in the past. Still does not change it though.

Verse 07. And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is

your father yet alive? have ye 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?

Key Phrase: And they said; We see that the brothers of Judah are present and supporting the

statement that follows.

Key Phrase: The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, is your father

yet alive? have ye another brother; The word straitly would be translated today

as directly and or with authority.

Key Phrase: and we told him according to the tenor of these words; Judah states, we gave

answers suitable to his questions, or such as his words required.

Note: Remember they are in a foreign country being questioned by the second in charge of all

of Egypt. The thought of not answering this man’s questions and his tone of words

would have been intimidating to begin with. Because they said we are honorable men.

Key Phrase: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down? Judah

states it very plainly, that how could they know what the “man” was going to say.

Verse 08. And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and

go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones.

Key Phrase: And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me; Judah is making a

heart felt appeal to his father.

Key Phrase: and we will arise and go; Directly to Egypt for corn. Judah calls Benjamin a lad,

because he is the youngest brother and tenderly brought up by his father. Who

we know had an affectionate fondness for him as if he had been a child.

Note: Benjamin must be about thirty two years of age at this time. He was seven years

younger than Joseph, who was now thirty nine years of age. Most likely Benjamin might

of had children of his own. For the computation of Benjamin's age, see Genesis 30:22,

Key Phrase: that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones; Here

we can with these words that Judah is reasoning, that if they with Benjamin went

down to Egypt for corn, there was a possibility a probability that they would all

live, even Benjamin also.

Judah’s Reasoning: But if they do not go then they must all in course die, and Benjamin

likewise. Therefore it was most prudent and advisable, for the sake of all their lives, of

them and theirs, and for the sake of Benjamin among the rest, for whom Jacob was so

particularly concerned not to let him go with them to Egypt for corn. Since he must die

if they did not go and he could but die if he did go. There was great likelihood and if

not a certainty, he would not as long as he was with them. At least Judah was

confident he would not.

Verse 09. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto

thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:

Key Phrase: I will be surety for him; I will personally ensure his safe return.

Key Phrase: of my hand shall thou require him; I will be answerable for him and will give him

back to you from my procession.

Key Phrase: if I bring him not to thee, and set him before thee: If I do not return him from

Egypt and bring him to Canaan, into his father's house and presence safe and

sound.

Key Phrase: then let me bear the blame for ever; The fault of persuading his father to let him

go with him and the consequences of this action.

Note: All this he said, to show what care he would take of him, and what confidence he had

that no evil would befall him, that he would be returned with them in safety. Which he

might stand firm upon the assurance that Joseph had given, that they should not die if

they brought their brother with them, Genesis 42:20;

Verse 10. For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.

Key Phrase: For except we had lingered; Delayed going down to Egypt, through the refusal

that Jacob made of sending Benjamin with them.

Key Phrase; surely now we had returned this second time; Judah is saying that they would

have made their journey to Egypt and returned again with their corn and with

their brother Benjamin too. By this time except by these delays they were losing

time and involving themselves and families in distress for want of corn.

Verse 11. And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best

fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm,

and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

Key Phrase: And their father said unto them; Being in some measure convinced by their

words and reasonings. Also in part at least reconciled to let Benjamin go with

them, there being nothing to be done, he perceived, unless he consented to it.

Key Phrase: if it must be so now, do this; If nothing else will do but Benjamin must go, which

after all he was reluctant to, then he advises them to do as follows.

Key Phrase: take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels; Such as were the peculiar

produce of the land of Canaan and the best of it. That it was most famous and

praised for, as the word used signifies. These Jacob advises to take and put into

their sacks they carried to bring back their corn in. (continued)

Key Phrase: and carry down the man a present; This would be for the great man and governor

of Egypt, whose name was not known. This he proposed to be done, in order to

procure his friendship and that he might take it kindly and respectfully of them,

release Simeon, and send back Benjamin with them. The present consisted of the

following things.