Genesis 44
1 Joseph's policy to stay his brethren.
6 The cup is found in Benjamin's sack.
14 They are brought before Joseph.
18 Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.
household <01004> [the steward. Heb. him that was over his house.]
once <06965> [Up.]
repaid <07999> [Wherefore.]
divination <05172> [divineth. or, maketh trial.]
In the East, there is an ancient tradition, that there was a Cup which possessed the strange property of representing in it the whole world, and all the things which were then doing. The cup is called {Jami Jemsheed,} "the cup of Jemsheed," a very ancient king of Persia; and they say that it was discovered, filled with the elixir of immortality, when digging to lay the foundations of Persepolis. The Persian poets are full of allusions to this cup, which they style {Jem jehan nima,} the cup shewing the universe; and to it they ascribe all the prosperity of their ancient monarchs. Many of the Mahometan princes and governors affect still to have information by means of a cup. Now, though it cannot be admitted that Joseph practised divination, yet, according to the superstition of those times, supernatural influence might be attributed to HIS CUP.
money .......................... silver <03701> [the money.]
steal <01589> [how then.]
die <04191> [both.]
lord's <0113> [and we.]
<04672> [he with whom.]
began <02490> [began.]
cup <01375> [and the cup.]
threw <05307> [he was yet.]
threw <05307> [fell.]
think <04639> [What.]
know .... man <03045 0376> [wot ye not.]
find out things ..... divination <05172> [divine. or, make trial.]
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
replied ..... say <0559> [What shall we say.]
ourselves God ......................... found <0430 04672> [God hath.]
sin <05771> [iniquity.]
lord ....................... lord's <0113> [behold.]
Far be it <02486> [God forbid.]
slave <05650> [he shall.]
peace <07965> [in peace.]
lord ........... you <0994 0113> [Oh my Lord.]
"No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned: and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive."
servant ............... servant <05650> [let thy.]
angry <0639> [anger.]
Pharaoh <06547> [as Pharaoh.]
said <0559> [we said.]
Every word in this verse is simplicity and pathos itself. No man of the least sensibility can read it without great emotion. Indeed the whole speech is exquisitely beautiful, and perhaps the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language. When we read this generous speech, we forgive Judah all the past, and cannot refuse to say, "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise."
boy <03206> [a child.]
brother <0251> [and his brother.]
left <03498> [he alone.]
down <03381> [Bring.]
so ... can <07760> [that I may.]
die <04191> [his father would die.]
told .... words <05046 01697> [we told him.]
first <0259> [the one.]
torn ... pieces <02963> [Surely.]
take <03947> [And if.]
tragedy <07451> [sorrow.]
return <0935> [When I.]
life ........ life <05315> [his life]
sees <07200> [when he.]
servants ... bring down ....... servant <05650 03381> [servants shall.]
grave <07585> [grave.]
servant ...... slave <05650> [therefore.]
What must Benjamin have felt when he heard his brother conclude his speech by a proposal which could never have been thought of if it had not been actually made! Perhaps the annals of the whole world do not produce an instance of so heroic and disinterested affection in any mere man.
servant ...... slave <05650> [I pray thee.]
boy ..... boy <05288> [instead.]
see <07200> [lest.]
couldn't <04672> [come on. Heb. find.]
