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.
Key Phrase: a little balm: Or rosin, a gum which drops from pine trees and the like. Since balm
or balsam grew on this side Jordan, near Jericho and Engedi and not beyond
Jordan, in the land of Gilead. The rosin was good for healing of wounds. Thus is
noted which there was great quantity in and about Gilead.
Key Phrase: and a little honey; The land of Canaan in general is called a land flowing with milk
and honey. Some parts of it were famous for the production of honey for its flavor
such as the area around Ziph. It was called from thence the honey of Ziphim.
Note: It was further observed, that Hebron alone (the place were Jacob now was) sends every
year to Egypt three hundred camel loads. or near two thousand quintals of this honey.
Leo Africanus says, there is but little honey to be found in Egypt, wherefore it made this
part of the present the more acceptable.
Key Phrase: spices; of various sorts, a collection of them; Though it is thought, by Bochart and
others, that the "storax" is particularly meant. The best of that sort being, as Pliny
says in Judea. The Targum and Jarchi take it to be "wax with crushed root or
leaves ", as do also other Jewish writers.
Key Phrase: and myrrh; This is a natural gum or resin extracted from a number of small,
thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora. Myrrh resin has been used
throughout history as a perfume, incense, and medicine. Myrrh mixed with wine
was common across ancient cultures, for general pleasure and as an analgesic.
Key Phrase: nuts, and almonds, the oil of nuts, and the oil of almonds: The pistachio nuts, as
Jarchi observes from R. Machir. These, as Pliny says, were well known in Syria,
and were good for food and drink, and against the bites of serpents. Bochart
observes, are frequently mentioned by naturalists along with almonds, and as very
much like them.
Note: The land of Canaan produced some corn, near springs or wells though but little. It is
confirmed here for certain that there were other fruits which were serviceable for food,
as appears from this verse.
Verse 12. And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the
mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
Key Phrase: And take double money in your hand; Than what they carried before, either to
buy as much more as they then did. Because of the greater scarcity of corn, as
Jarchi observes, which made it doubly dearer. This is different from the money
they are also bid to take in return for that found in their sacks.
Key Phrase: and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again
in your hand; That it might be ready to pay upon demand, should they be charged
or accused with nonpayment for the corn they had before.
Key Phrase: peradventure it was an oversight; Some mistake of the governors, or those that
were under him, concerned in the sale of the corn and receiving money for it.
Jacob could not tell how it occurred, but some way or other he supposed a
mistake was made.
Verse 13. Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
Note: Jacob finally gives his consent for Benjamin to go.
Verse 14. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your
other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
Key Phrase: And God Almighty give you mercy before the man; Who has the control of all
men in his hands, kings, princes, governors. Even those that are the most cruel
and hardhearted, rough and severe in their tempers and dispositions. Such as the
one they had represented this man to be.
Note: Jacob therefore sent him a present to soften his mind, and now he puts up a prayer to
God, and dismisses his sons with his good wishes for them. His prayer is that God would
treat any of them badly.
Key Phrase: that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin; Release Simeon and
send him with Benjamin toward home when they returned.
Key Phrase: if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved; This he said, not as utterly
defeated or despairing of their return, but as expressive of his patient submission
to the divine will, be it as it may be. He turns it over to God.
Verse 15. And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and
Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
Key Phrase: And the men took the present; Their father directed them to bring as gifts.
Key Phrase: and they took double money in their hand; This is besides what they found in
their sacks of corn mouth’s, which they also carried with them.
Key Phrase: and Benjamin; They took him likewise with their father's leave.
Key Phrase: and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph; They presented
themselves to him with their petitions for more corn, as well as to answer to any
questions that should be asked them.
Verse 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.
Key Phrase: And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them; Whom he knew, though he had not
seen him for over twenty-two years. Though he must look very much changed,
Benjamin being but about ten years of age when Joseph was taken into Egypt. Yet
being with the rest of his brethren, whom he knew very well, concluded it must be
him.
Key Phrase; he said to the ruler of his house; This would be his steward, just as he was in
Potiphar’s home.
Key Phrase: bring these men home; To his own house, for Joseph was now at or near the
place where were the granaries of corn was distributed:
Key Phrase: and slay, and make ready; Or "slay a slaughter" that is, of beasts for food. A calf
very probably, in order it to be dressed, boiled or roasted, or both, that it might be
fit for food. It cannot be thought that Joseph could order a dinner for his
brethren, to whom as yet he did not choose to make himself known. The eating
of sheep or goat was a violation of the customs and laws of Egypt.
Key Phrase: for these men shall dine with me at noon; Which was the usual time of dining
with the eastern people, as it is now with us, though with the Romans at evening.
Verse 17. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's
house.
Verse 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 are we
brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for
bondmen, and our asses.
Key Phrase: And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's
house. And the men were afraid, when they are told to go in-side they at once
suspect that they are about to be punished or confined.
Key Phrase: Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we
brought in; That he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us; Literally, that
he may roll himself upon us (cf. Job 30:14; Psalm 22:8; Psalm 37:5; Proverbs 26:3).
Key Phrase: and take us for bondmen, and our asses.; The brethren of Joseph were clearly
apprehensive of some serious stratagem to deprive them of liberty. They where
afraid he would imprison them, which was the punishment for fraud and theft,
and take their asses as a forfeiture.
Verse 19. And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with
him at the door of the house,
Key Phrase: And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house; The same person before
called the ruler of his house, under whose direction they were; just before they
came to the house, as it seems by what follows, they made up to him as having
something to say to him.
Key Phrase: and they communed with him at the door of the house; They talked or exchang-
ed words, before they went into it, being uneasy and eager to know what should
be the meaning of their being brought thither, which was unusual.
Verse 20. And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
Verse 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 again in our hand.
Key Phrase: And it came to pass when we came to the inn; Thus the repeat of what happened on the road, on the first day's journey, to refresh themselves and their cattle.
Note: So they repeat it again for this steward of the house that we read in Genesis 42.
Key Phrase: and we have brought it again in our hand; They have it with them in order to pay
for the corn they had purchased before, having no design to defraud.
Verse 22. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell
who put our money in our sacks.
Key Phrase: And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food; Double the
money for a double quantity. Their bringing this besides the other showed their
honest and upright intentions.
Key Phrase: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks; We are quite ignorant of it and
can by no means account for it, and therefore hope no blame will be laid on us.
Verse 23. And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath
given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out
unto them.
Key Phrase: And he said, peace be unto you, fear not; Do not be uneasy and disturbed, you
have nothing to fear, you are in no danger.
Key Phrase: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks; The
treasure the word signifies is unexpected or discovered in the Greek; Was there
by the providence of God, so disposing the heart of Joseph to order it to be put
there, as the steward interpreted it. Who by being Joseph's family had got some
knowledge of the true God, and of his all wise and disposing Providence.
Note: This statement by the steward is unusual first in the fact that he speaks of their God and
the God of their father. Second that he states it was given by God to them.
Note: This brings one to think that Joseph has instructed this person in the ways of God who he
worshipped and or believes Joseph had it done by the providence or instruction of his
God.
Key Phrase: I had your money; The steward acknowledges that he received it of them and
that was sufficient to acquit them from guilt and theft from Egypt. Though he
does not say that he put the money into their sacks, or by whose order it was
done.
Key Phrase: and he brought Simeon out unto them; Either out of prison, or out of some other
room to them, which was, no doubt, done by the direction of Joseph.
Verse 24. And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they
washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
Key Phrase: And the man brought the men into Joseph's house; After the above discussion
had passed between them, and he had made their minds easy, both with respect
to the money, and by bringing Simeon unbound to them.
Key Phrase: and gave them water, and they washed their feet; This which was usually done in
the eastern countries after travelling a common curtesy especially when about to
take a meal, and was both for refreshment and cleanliness.
Key Phase: and he gave their asses provender; This indicates that they are very welcomed
guest and thus were they hospitably entertained and all that belonged to them.
Verse 25. And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that
they should eat bread there.
Key Phrase: And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon; This is
specifically mentioned because it would have been wrapped and protected for the
journey. They took it out of their vessels or bags in which they brought it, having
unladen their asses. Then prepared it in a proper manner to present it to him
when he came home at noon to dine.
Key Phrase: for they heard that they should eat bread there; Would dine there, the word
bread being use for all provisions or edible food. This was told them by the
steward most likely.
Verse 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.
Key Phrase: they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house; Everyone
of them took a part of it in his hand and brought it to Joseph in the room where
he was. It was delivered it to him as a present from their father, as well as from
themselves.
Key Phrase: and bowed themselves to him to the earth; Again in the most prostrate and
humble manner, now again fulfilling his dream. Even more completely than
before because now all his eleven brethren were together, signified by the eleven
stars in the dream, that made obeisance to him, see Genesis 37:9.
Verse 27. And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of
whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
Key Phrase: And he asked them of their welfare; Joseph asked their prosperity, especially of
the health of their bodies, whether they were well and in good health after so long
a journey.
Key Phrase: and said, is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake?; When they were
with him before, and told him they were all the sons of one man, who dwelt in
Canaan.
Key Phrase: is he yet alive? Which Joseph was very desirous of knowing as he being, advanced
in years. He might fear he was removed by death in the time between their going
and returning.
Verse 28. And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And
they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
Key Phrase: And they answered, thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive;
Which is an answer to both his questions.
Note; By calling their father Joseph's servant, Jacob did obeisance to him through them, as well
as by sending a present to him. Which they delivered as coming from him his servant. It
it is not improbable that Jacob sent his salutation to him as his servant as benefactor to
his needs and families, lives. So in this part of the dream of Joseph's was also fulfilled in
which represented the sun doing obeisance to him, Genesis 37:9.
Key Phrase: and they bowed their heads, and made obeisance; This is a second time, as they
did, no doubt, at every time they gave answer to Joseph's questions. This is again
observed, shows the full completion of Joseph’s dream and Gods fulfillment of it.
Verse 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 ye spake unto me? And he said, God be
gracious unto thee, my son.
Key Phrase: And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin; He had seen him before
when his brethren first presented themselves to him. He then made it to look like
he took no particular and special notice of him, only gave him a side look as it
were, but now he looked intently at him.
Key Phrase: his mother's son; The son of Rachel his mother and who was his only brother by
his mother's side. The rest, though his brethren, yet only by his father's side, not
his mother's sons.
Key Phrase: and said, is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? He knew he
was the same, but was willing to have it from their mouths, to lead on to what he
had further to say.
Key Phrase: God be gracious unto thee, my son; Speaking as a superior, a governor, in which
capacity he was a father to his inferiors. Yet as a man, a relation, a brother, though
not as yet discovered; he spoke in the most tender and affectionate manner. We
see it also as a religious man and he wishes the best thing he could for his brother.
Which is the grace and goodness of God.
Verse 30. And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought
where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
Key Phrase: And Joseph made haste; To get out of the room where he was with his brethren
as fast as he could.
Key Phrase: for his bowels did yearn upon his brother; It means that Joseph’s passions grew
strong, his affections were raised, his heart was full of tenderness, and there was
such a flow of love and joy at the sight of his brother.
Note: The little conversation he had with him had Joseph ready to burst out who he was.
Key Phrase: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there;
A proper place to vent his passion in tears of joy, and relieve himself where he
could be the most retired, and not likely to be overheard.
Verse 31. And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on
bread.
Key Phrase: And he washed his face; From the tears on it, that it might not be discerned that
he had been weeping.
Key Phrase: and went out; Joseph returned from his chamber into the room again, where his
brethren were:
Key Phrase: and refrained himself; From weeping or showing any excess of passion, love, joy,
&c.
Key Phrase: and said, set on bread; Joseph gave orders to his servants to bring in dinner and
set it upon the table; bread, as before, being put for all kind of food.
Verse 32. And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the
Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not
eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Key Phrase: And they set on for him by himself; A table was placed and provisions set upon it
in one part of the room for Joseph by himself. Which was done either because he
was a Hebrew, and the Egyptians might not eat with him, nor he with them. But
maybe for the sake of grandeur, he being the next man in the kingdom to Pharaoh.
Key Phrase; and for them by themselves; This is to let us know that another table was placed
and spread for Joseph's brethren by themselves.
Key Phrase: and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves; So a third table
was laid for such Egyptian noblemen and others, who were at this time Joseph's
guests, or regularly dined with him.
Key Phrase: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an
abomination unto the Egyptians; The reason of which, as given by the Targums
of Onkelos and, Jonathan, is, because the creatures the Egyptians worshipped the
Hebrews eat.
Note: Some scholars question whether such creatures as oxen, sheep, goats, &c. which were
eaten by the Hebrews, were so early worshipped by the Egyptians. The difference made
between the Egyptians and Hebrews at eating, was not on account of what they did eat,
as of the certain rites and customs the Egyptians had peculiar to themselves in dressing
their food and eating it. Therefore would not eat with any of another nation. So that this was not any particular distaste they had to the Hebrews but was their culture towards men of all nations.
See: (Reference) A Herodotus
Verse 33. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest
according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
Key Phrase: And they sat before him; At a table placed in such a way that they were in his
sight, and he had a full view of them.
Key Phrase: the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth;
Everyone according to his age, Reuben, the firstborn, first, and so on to Benjamin
the youngest. As they used to be in their father's family or they were so placed by
Joseph’s instruction to his steward.
Key Phrase: and the men marvelled one at another; Not the Egyptians but the guests of
Joseph, seeing eleven brethren placed in this manner and these being Hebrews
and took notice of it. Also Joseph's brethren, who either wondered at the manner
of their being seated so regular, according to their age. They were in awe of the
honor done them to dine with the governor, and at the grandeur of the
entertainment, and at the separate manner in which the governor, and the nobles
of Egypt, sat at meals.
Verse 34. And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was
five times so much as any of their's. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Key Phrase: And he took and sent messes unto there from before him; The several dishes
were brought before him, who cut them up, and sent to everyone their part and
portion, as was usual in those times and countries.
Key Phrase: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs; Which was done
out of Josephs great affection to him, being his own brother both by father and
mother's side.
Key Phrase: and they drank, and were merry with him; After dinner they drank wine liberally
and plentifully, but not to excess and intemperance. As to be cheerful and in good
spirits. Their fears being dissipated by this generous entertainment they met with.
Reference: A Herodotus
For so Herodotus says, that"no Egyptian, man or woman, might kiss the month of a Greek, or use a knife, or spit, or pot;' 'that is, a knife a Greek had cut anything with, or a spit he had roasted meat on, or a pot he had boiled it in; and adds, "nor might taste of the flesh of an ox, cut with the knife of a Greek. ''And indeed they would not eat nor converse with any of another religion, be they who they would.
Historical Note: Herodotus was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey). He is known for having written the book The Histories (Greek: Ἱστορίαι Historíai), a detailed record of his "inquiry" (ἱστορία historía) on the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars. He is widely considered to have been the first writer to have treated historical subjects using a method of systematic investigation—specifically, by collecting his materials and then critically arranging them into an historiographic narrative. On account of this, he is often referred to as "The Father of History," a title first conferred on him by the first-century BC Roman orator Cicero.
