Genesis 37:1--50:26
[A.M. 2276. B.C. 1728.]
father ... stayed <01 04033> [wherein his father was a stranger. Heb. of his father's sojournings.]
account <08435> [the generations.]
{Toledoth,} the history, narrative, or account of the lives and actions of Jacob and his sons; for in this general sense the original must be taken, as in the whole ensuing history there is no genealogy of Jacob's family.
wives <0802> [wives.]
bad report <01681 07451> [evil report.]
loved <0157> [loved.]
sons ...... son <01121> [son.]
tunic <03801> [a coat.]
special <06446> [colours.]
{Kethoneth passim}, a coat made of stripes of different coloured cloth.
hated ...... able <08130 03201> [hated him.]
able ... speak .... kindly <01696 07965 03201> [and could not speak peaceably unto him.]
Or, rather, "and they could not speak peace to him," i.e., they would not accost him in a friendly manner: they would not even wish him well, in the eastern mode of salutation of, Peace be to thee! It is not an unusual thing for an Arab or Turk to hesitate to return the {salÆ’m}, if given by a Christian, or by one of whom he has not a favourable opinion; and this may always be considered as an act of hostility.
had <02492> [dreamed.]
hated <08130> [and they.]
Listen <08085> [Hear.]
sheaves ............ sheaf ......... sheaves .... sheaf <0485> [your sheaves.]
bowed down <07812> [obeisance.]
think .... rule over us or ... dominion <04427 04910> [reign over us.]
another dream .............. dream <02472 0312> [another dream.]
sun <08121> [the sun.]
stars <03556> [stars.]
mother <0517> [Shall I.]
jealous <07065> [envied.]
kept <08104> [observed.]
Shechem <07927> [in Shechem.]
<03212> [come.]
[Here am I.]
check .... welfare <07965 07200> [see whether it be well with. Heb. see the peace of thy brethren, etc.]
Hebron <02275> [Hebron.]
wandering <08582> [he was.]
looking <01245> [What.]
looking <01245> [seek.]
tell ... where <05046 0375> [tell me.]
Dothan ............ Dothan <01886> [Dothan.]
plotted <05230> [conspired.]
this <01976> [Behold.]
Simulated Irony: Where the words in question are used by man either in dissimulation or hypocrisy. For other instances of this figure see 2 Sa 6:20; Ps 22:8; Isa 5:19; Mt 22:16; 27:29; 27:40, 42, 43; Mk 15:29.
master <01167> [dreamer. Heb. master of dreams.]
kill <02026> [and let.]
say .......... see <0559 07200> [and we.]
Reuben heard <08085 07205> [Reuben heard.]
Let's <05221> [not kill him. Heb. {nephesh.}]
Reuben ......................... said <0559 07205> [Reuben said.]
shed <08210> [Shed.]
lay ..... him <07971> [lay.]
stripped <06584> [stript.]
special <06446> [colours. or, pieces.]
threw <07993> [and cast.]
cistern .... cistern <0953> [the pit.]
sat <03427> [they sat.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [Ishmeelites.]
Gilead <01568> [Gilead.]
spices <05219> [spicery.]
{Nechoth,} is rendered by the LXX. "incense;" Syriac, "resin;" Samaritan, "balsam;" Acquila, "storax;" which is followed by Bochart. This drug is abundant in Syria, and here Moses joins with it resin, honey, and myrrh; which agrees with the nature of the storax, which is the resin of a tree of the same name, of a reddish colour, and peculiarly pleasant fragrance.
balm <06875> [balm]
{Tzeri,} which in Arabic, as a verb, is to flow, seems to be a common name, as balm or balsam with us, for many of those oily, resinous substances, which flow spontaneously, or by incision, from various trees or plants; accordingly the ancients have generally interpreted it resin.
myrrh <03910> [myrrh.]
{Lot,} is probably, as Junius, De Dieu, Celsius, and Ursinus contend, the same as the Arabic {ladan}, Greek [ladanon,] and Latin {ladanum}.
profit <01215> [What profit.]
cover <03680> [conceal.]
sell ..... Ishmaelites <04376 03459> [sell him.]
hand <03027> [let not.]
brother ...... brothers <0251> [he is our.]
agreed <08085> [were content. Heb. hearkened.]
Midianite <04084> [Midianites.]
sold <04376> [sold.]
tore <07167> [he rent.]
son's <01121> [thy son's.]
wild animal <02416 07451> [evil beast.]
daughters <01323> [his daughters.]
go <06965> [rose up.]
go ......... Joseph's <03381> [For I.]
<04092> [the Midianites.]
officials <05631> [officer. Heb. eunuch.]
But the word signifies not only eunuchs, but also chamberlains, courtiers, and officers.
captain <08269> [captain. Or, chief marshal. Heb. chief of the slaughtermen, or executioners.]
[A.M. 2265. B.C. 1739.]
time <06256> [it came.]
As there cannot be above 23 years from the selling of Joseph, unto Israel's going down into Egypt; and as it is impossible that Judah should take a wife, and by her have three sons successively, and Shelah, the youngest, marriageable when Judah begat Pharez of Tamar, and Pharez be grown up, married, and have two sons, all within so short a period; Mr. Ainsworth conceives that the time here spoken of is soon after Jacob's coming to Shechem, (ch. 33.) We have accordingly adapted the chronology to correspond with that time.
stayed <05186> [turned.]
Adullamite <05726> [Adullamite.]
An inhabitant of Adullam, a city of Canaan, afterwards given to Judah, situated in the southern part of that tribe, west of Hebron.
saw <07200> [saw.]
Shua <07770> [Shuah.]
[Shua.]
acquired <03947> [took.]
Er <06147> [A.M. 2266. B.C. 1738. Er.]
Onan <0209> [A.M. 2267. B.C. 1737. Onan.]
[A.M. 2268. B.C. 1736.]
Shelah <07956> [Shelah.]
Kezib <03580> [Chezib.]
Chezib is said, by Eusebius and Jerome, to have been situated near Adullam, and to be then uninhabited.
acquired <03947> [took.]
Tamar <08559> [Tamar.]
Er <06147> [Er.]
evil <07451> [wicked.]
Lord's ..... Lord <03068> [and the.]
[A.M. 2282. B.C. 1722.]
[he is.]
not ... give <01115 05414> [lest that.]
<03415> [displeased. Heb. was evil in the eyes of.]
[him also.]
Shelah <07956> [till Shelah.]
father's ............................ father's <01> [in her.]
time Judah's <03117 07235> [in process of time. Heb. the days were multiplied. comforted.]
sheepshearers <01494> [sheep shearers.]
Timnah <08553> [Timnath.]
Timnath is, in all probability, that in the border of Judah, between Jerusalem and Diospolis, given to Dan, and mentioned in the history of Samson as belonging to the Philistines.
[Timnah.]
[Thimnathah.]
sat <03427> [and sat.]
entrance ... Enaim <05869 06607> [an open place. Heb. the door of eyes, or of Enajim}]
Some think {ainayim} means "the two fountains," or "double fountain;" while others regard it as a proper name, and the same as Enaim, a city of Judah, (Jos 15:34.) So the LXX. render it Enan.
Timnah <08553> [Timnath.]
Shelah <07956> [that Shelah.]
Come on <03051> [Go to.]
give <05414> [What wilt.]
send ................... send <07971> [I will.]
goat <05795> [a kid. Heb. a kid of the goats. Wilt thou.]
seal <02368> [Thy signet.]
{Chothem,} or {chothemeth,} as in ver. 25, is properly a ring-seal, with which impressions were made to ascertain property, etc. From Jer 22:24, we find that it was worn on the hand; though it might also have been suspended from the neck by a ribband, as the Arabs still wear it.
cord <06616> [bracelets.]
{Pathil,} from {pathal,} to twist, wreathe, may denote either a wreath for the arm or neck, a twisted collar, or bracelet. In the former sense the LXX. render it by [ormiskon,] and Aquila and Symmachus by [strepton;] and in the latter sense, the Vulgate renders it by {armillam.} It may have been a collar by which the signet was suspended; though its being used in the plural seems to favour the opinion of its being a bracelet.
give .................. gave ...... had sex <05414 0935> [gave it her.]
removed ... veil <06809 05493> [laid by her vail.]
friend <07453> [his friend.]
road <01870 05869> [openly by the way side. or, in Enajim.]
dishonest <0937> [lest we.]
dishonest <0937> [be shamed. Heb. become a contempt.]
prostitution <02181> [played the harlot.]
burned <08313> [let her.]
Identify <05234> [Discern.]
recognized <05234> [acknowledged.]
upright than ... am <06663> [She hath.]
upright than ... am <06663> [more righteous. Not less to blame, but more righteous. because.]
sexual relations <03045> [And he knew.]
broken out <06555> [A.M. 2283. B.C. 1721. How hast, etc. or, Wherefore hast thou made this breach against thee? his name.]
[Perez.]
[Phares. Pharez. i.e., a breach.]
Zerah <02226> [Zarah.]
[Zerah.]
[Zara.]
Joseph <03130> [A.M. 2276. B.C. 1728. Joseph.]
Ishmaelites <03459> [the Ishmeelites.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
household <01004> [house.]
observed .... Lord ........ Lord <07200 03068> [saw that.]
successful <06743> [prosper.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
appointed <06485> [overseer.]
Joseph's <03130> [for Joseph's.]
left <05800> [he left.]
except <0518> [save.]
well built ... good-looking <08389 03303> [a goodly person.]
{Yephaih toar, weephaih maraih,} "beautiful in person and beautiful in countenance." Joseph's beauty is so celebrated in the East, that a handsome man is frequently compared to him; and the Persian poets vie with each other in descriptions of his comeliness.
took <05375> [A.M. 2285. B.C. 1719. cast.]
sex <07901> [Lie.]
refused <03985> [refused.]
master's ..... master <0113> [my master.]
greater ............................ great <01419> [none.]
do <06213> [how then.]
sin <02398> [sin.]
speak <01696> [as she spake.]
[or to be.]
when <0376> [none of the men.]
grabbed <08610> [caught.]
left <05800> [and he left.]
brought ............ tried <0935> [he hath.]
The base affection of this woman being disappointed, was changed into rancorous hatred, and she exults in the opportunity of being revenged on Joseph. She begins her accusation in the affected language of offended modesty, rage, and disdain, by charging her husband, whom we may reasonably assume she did not greatly love, with being an accessory to the indignity she pretended to have received: "He hath brought in a Hebrew," a very abomination to an Egyptian, "to mock us," insult and treat me in a base, unworthy manner.
servants ............. man <0376> [an Hebrew.]
brought ............ tried <0935> [he came.]
loudly <01419> [loud. Heb. great.]
heard <08085> [heard.]
furious <0639> [his wrath.]
<01004> [into the prison.]
{Baith hassohar,} "the round house," from the form of the building according to some; or, "the watch or guard house," from the Arabic {sahara,} to watch, according to others.
king's <04428> [the king's.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
showed ... kindness <02617 05186> [shewed him mercy. Heb. extended kindness unto him. gave him.]
put <05414> [committed.]
warden <08269> [keeper.]
Lord ........... Lord <03068> [because.]
After <0310> [it came.]
<08248> [the butler.]
{Mashkeh,} from {shakah,} to give drink, is the same as {saky} among the Arabians and Persians, and signifies a cup-bearer.
enraged <07107> [wroth.]
cupbearer .... baker <08248 08269> [the chief of the butlers.]
facility <04725> [the place.]
Joseph ... confined <03130 0631> [where Joseph was bound.]
Or, "where Joseph was confined," for he doubtless had his personal liberty. This place, we learn from the preceding chapter, (ver. 20,) was the king's prison. All the officers in the employment of the ancient kings of Egypt, according to Diodorus Siculus, were taken from the most illustrious families of the priesthood in the country; no slave or common person being ever permitted to serve in the presence of the king. As these persons were of the most noble families, it is natural to expect they would be put, when accused, into the state prison.
captain <08269> [the captain.]
time <03117> [a season.]
{Yamim,} literally days; how long is uncertain, though the word may signify, as many suppose, a complete year (see Ge 4:3; 24:55); and as Pharaoh called them to an account on his birthday, (ver. 20,) Calmet supposes they had offended on the preceding birthday, and thus had been one whole year in prison.
[A.M. 2287. B.C. 1717.]
depressed <02196> [and, behold.]
<06440> [Wherefore.]
sad today <07451 03117 06440> [look ye so sadly to-day. Heb. are your faces evil.]
interpretations <06623> [Do not, etc.]
vine <01612> [a vine.]
took <03947> [And I took, etc.]
From this we find that wine anciently was the mere expressed juice of the grape, without fermentation. The {saky,} or cup-bearer, took the bunch, pressed the juice into the cup, and instantly delivered it to his master.
squeezed <07818> [pressed.]
hand .................. hand <03027 03709> [hand.]
meaning <06623> [This.]
three .... three <07969> [The three.]
three <07969> [within.]
Pharaoh .............. Pharaoh's <06547> [shall.]
reinstate <05375 07218> [lift up thine head. or, reckon.]
remember ...... well ......... mention <02142 03190> [think on me. Heb. remember me with thee. on me.]
show <06213> [shew.]
kidnapped <01589> [stolen.]
Hebrews <05680> [the Hebrews.]
done <06213> [done.]
chief <08269> [the chief.]
baskets ... white bread <02751 05536> [white baskets. or, baskets full of holes.]
goods <04639> [bake-meats. Heb. meat of Pharaoh, the work of a baker, or cook.]
three <07969> [within.]
decapitate <05375 07218> [lift up thy head from off thee. or, reckon thee and take thy office from thee. hang thee.]
birds <05775> [and the birds.]
third day <03117 07992> [third day.]
day <03117> [birthday.]
lifted <05375> [lifted up. or, reckoned.]
placed ... cup <03563 05414> [gave the cup.]
impaled <08518> [he hanged.]
forgot <07911> [but forgat him.]
years <08141 03117> [A.M. 2289. B.C. 1715. two full years.]
{Shenathayim yamim,} "two years of days," two complete solar revolutions; as a month of days is a full month.
Pharaoh <06547> [that Pharaoh.]
Nile <02975> [the river.]
coming up <05927> [there came.]
reeds <0260> [a meadow.]
Or, rather, "on, or among the reeds or sedges;" for so {achoo} is generally supposed to denote (see Job 8:11); so called, according to Mr. Parkhurst, from its fitness for making ropes, or the like, to connect or join things together, from {achah,} to join, connect: thus the Latin {juncus,} a bulrush, {a jungendo,} from joining, for the same reason. He supposes it to be that sort of reed growing near the Nile which Hasselquist describes as "having scarce any branches, but numerous leaves, which are narrow, smooth, channelled on the upper surface, and the plant about eleven feet high. The Egyptians make ropes of the leaves."
bad-looking <07451 04758> [ill favoured.]
Pharaoh woke up <06547 03364> [So Pharaoh awoke.]
seven heads of grain <07651 07641> [seven ears.]
A species of wheat, which grows in Egypt, bears, when perfect, seven ears on one stalk, as its natural conformation. It differs from ours in having a solid stem, or at least a stem full of pith, in order to yield sufficient nourishment and support to so great a weight as the ears which it bears.
healthy <01277> [rank. Heb. fat.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
dream <02472> [a dream.]
<07307> [his spirit.]
diviner-priests ... Egypt <04714 02748> [the magicians of Egypt.]
The word here used (chartummim) may mean no more than interpreters of abstruse or difficult subjects; especially of dreams and visions, which formed a considerable part of the ancient pagan religion; and the Egyptian priests were the first who professed this art. The word may be of affinity with, or derived from, the Persian {chiradmand,} wise, learned, judicious, intelligent, from {chirad,} understanding, judgment, and {mand,} endowed with. They seem to have been such persons as Josephus calls sacred scribes; or professors of sacred learning.
wise <02450> [the wise men.]
interpret <06622> [but there.]
recall <02142> [I do remember.]
Pharaoh <06547> [Pharaoh.]
captain ........ chief <08269> [captain.]
servant <05650> [servant.]
interpreted <06622> [interpreted.]
restored <07725> [me he restored.]
Then <07971> [sent.]
quickly <07323> [and they brought him hastily. Heb. made him run.]
shaved <01548> [he shaved.]
heard <08085> [I have heard.]
dream ......... interpret ...... heard ....... interpret dreams <02472 06622 08085> [that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. or, when thou hearest a dream, thou canst interpret it.]
not within <01107> [It is not.]
welfare <07965> [peace.]
eaten ........... done <0935> [eaten them up. Heb. come to the inward parts of them.]
bad-looking <04758> [still.]
withered <06798> [withered. or, small. thin.]
burned <07710> [blasted.]
All the mischief done to corn or fruit by blasting, smutting, mildew, etc. are attributed to the east wind. (See Parallel Passages.) In Egypt it is peculiarly destructive, because it comes through the parched deserts of Arabia, often destroying vast numbers of people. The destructive nature of the {Sam, Simoom, Smoom,} or {Samiel,} is mentioned by almost all travellers. When this pestilential wind advances, its approach is indicated by a redness in the air. The principal stream of the blast always moves in a line of about 20 yards in breadth, and 12 feet above the surface of the earth; but its parching influence pervades all places to a considerable distance. The only means of preservation from its noxious influence is to lie flat, with the face upon the ground, till the blast be over. Camels and other animals instinctively perceive its approach, and bury their mouths and nostrils in the ground. It rarely last more than seven or eight minutes, but so poisonous are its effects, that it instantly suffocates those who are unfortunate enough to inhale it.
told ...... diviner-priests <0559 02748> [I told this.]
God <0430> [God.]
seven ..... seven ..... seven ....... seven <07651> [are. or, signify.]
seven good .... seven ..... seven good heads of grain ... seven <02896 07651 07641> [good ears are seven.]
dreams .... same <02472 0259> [the dream is one.]
seven ........... seven years ..... seven ............. seven years ... famine <08141 07458 07651> [seven years of famine.]
God <0430> [What God.]
seven years <07651 08141> [seven years.]
forgotten <07911> [shall be.]
devastate <03615> [consume.]
abundance <07647> [the plenty.]
It is well known, that in Egypt there is scarcely any rain, the country depending for its fertility upon the overflowing of the Nile; and that the fertility is in proportion to the duration and quality of the overflow, in order to saturate the land and prepare for the seed. Pliny has given a scale, by which the plenty or dearth may ascertained; which may be considered as perfectly correct. The ordinary height of the inundations is 16 cubits. When the waters are lower than this standard, they do not overflow the whole ground; when above this standard they are too long in running off. In the first case, the ground is not saturated; by the second, the waters are detained so long on the ground that seed-time is lost. The province marks both. If it rise only 12 cubits, a famine is the consequence; at 13 hunger prevails; 14 produces general rejoicing; 15 perfect security; and 16 all the luxuries of life.
severe <03515> [grievous. Heb. heavy.]
repeated <08138> [doubled.]
matter <01697> [it is because.]
decreed <05973 03559> [established by. or, prepared of.]
Pharaoh <06547> [therefore.]
look <07200> [look out.]
officials <06496> [officers. or, overseers.]
one-fifth of the produce <02567> [and take.]
gather <06908> [gather.]
authority <03027> [hand.]
land ............... land ........ land <0776> [that the.]
famine .................. famine <03772 07458> [perish not. Heb. be not cut off.]
<01697> [the thing.]
sense <03190> [good.]
whom <0834> [in whom.]
will <01961> [Thou shalt.]
oversee <05401> [be ruled. Heb. be armed, or kiss.]
signet ring <02885> [his ring.]
fine linen <08336> [fine linen. or, silk.]
gold chain <02091 07242> [a gold chain.]
cried out <07121> [and they.]
Kneel <086> [Bow the knee. or, Tender father.]
[Heb. Abrech.]
land <0776> [ruler.]
move ... hand <07311 03027> [lift up his hand.]
Zaphenath-Paneah <06847> [Zaphnath-paaneah.]
Which in Coptic signifies a revealer of secrets, or, the man to whom secrets are revealed. Jerome says this name signified in Egyptian, {Savatorem mundi,} "the Saviour of the world;" and {Psotem-phaneh,} in Coptic, is certainly "salvation of the world," from [SOT,] for [soteria <\\See definition 4991\\>,] salvation, {em,} the sign of the genitive case, and [PHENEH], world. If this interpretation be correct, Pharaoh must have meant Egypt by the world, or which Joseph might be justly termed the Saviour. We know that the Romans called their empire {Universis Orbis-Orbis Terrarum,} "all the world:" the Chinese say the same of their empire at the present day, and the phrase is used in the East: Nadir Shah is described on his coins as "Conqueror of the World," i.e., Persia. See the same phraseology applied to Syria, Palestine, etc.
priest ... On <03548 0204> [priest of. or, prince.]
On <0204> [On.]
[Aven.]
years <08141> [years.]
when .... serving <05975> [he stood.]
[From A.M. 2289, B.C. 1715, to A.M. 2296, B.C. 1708. handfuls.]
Joseph <03130> [unto Joseph.]
Asenath <0621> [Asenath.]
priest <03548> [priest. or, prince.]
<07121> [called. A.M. 2292. B.C. 1712.]
Manasseh <04519> [Manasseh. i.e., Forgetting.]
forget <05382> [forget.]
child Ephraim <07121 0669> [A.M. 2293. B.C. 1711. called he.]
Ephraim <0669> [Ephraim. i.e., Fruitful.]
land <0776> [the land.]
[A.M. 2296. B.C. 1708.]
seven <07651> [the seven.]
Joseph <03130> [according.]
famine .......... famine <07458> [and the dearth.]
experienced <07456> [famished.]
Joseph <03212 03130> [Go unto.]
<06440> [the face.]
sold <07666> [all the storehouses. Heb. all wherein was. sold.]
country ................. earth <0776> [all countries.]
country ................. earth <0776> [in all lands.]
Jacob ........ he <03290> [when Jacob.]
heard ............... looking <07200> [saw. i.e, heard, from the report of others, that there was plenty in Egypt.]
The operations of one sense are frequently put for those of another in Hebrew; (see the Parallel Passages.)
heard ............... looking <07200> [Why do ye.]
down <03381> [get you.]
live <02421> [that we.]
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
if <06435> [Lest.]
famine <07458> [for.]
ruler <07989> [governor.]
{Shallit,} an intendant, protector, ruler, from {shalat,} to be over or a protector, to rule: hence the Arabic {salita,} to obtain and exercise dominion, rule; and {sultÆ’n,} ruler, lord, prince, and king.
sold <07666> [he it was.]
bowed down <07812> [bowed.]
harshly ... asked ........ answered <07186 0559> [roughly unto them. Heb. hard things with them.]
recognized ........ recognize <05234> [but they knew.]
remembered <02142> [remembered.]
spies <07270> [Ye are spies.]
Persons who, under the pretence of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which you belong may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle themselves in it; or, having plundered it, retire into their deserts. This is a frequent custom among the Arabs to the present day.
vulnerable <06172> [nakedness.]
honest <03651> [We are, etc.]
We do not belong to different tribes; and it is not likely that one family would make a hostile attempt upon a whole kingdom; nor, if any serious design had been intended, that one man would have sent his sons on so hazardous an expedition.
honest .... servants <03651 05650> [true men.]
vulnerable <06172> [nakedness.]
servants <05650> [Thy servants.]
one .................. one <0259> [one is not.]
lives <02416> [By the life.]
youngest <06996> [except.]
prison <0631> [kept in prison. Heb. bound.]
imprisoned <0622> [put. Heb. gathered.]
imprisoned <04929> [ward.]
God <0430 03373> [I fear God.]
prison ............... families <01004> [house.]
take grain back <07668 0935> [carry corn.]
bring <0935> [bring.]
did <06213> [And they.]
said <0559> [they said.]
saw <07200> [we saw.]
distressed .................... distress <06869> [this distress.]
said ...... say <0559> [Spake I.]
blood <01818> [his blood.]
[he spake unto them by a interpreter. Heb. an interpreter was between them.]
The {mailitz} does not seem to have been an interpreter in our sense of the term; as we have many evidences in this book that the Egyptians, Hebrews, Canaanites, and Syrians, could understand each other in a general way; and it appears from several passages in this very chapter, (particularly ver. 24,) that Joseph and his brethren understood each others' language, as his brethren and Joseph's steward also did (ch. 43:19, etc; compare ch. 39; 49.) It seems to denote an officer who is called in Abyssinia, according to Mr. Bruce, {Kal Hatz‚,} "the voice or word of the king," who always stands at the side of a lattice window of a balcony, within which the king sits; who is never seen, but who speaks through a hole in the side of it, covered in the inside with a curtain, to this officer, by whom he speaks to the persons present.
wept <01058> [wept.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
orders <06680> [commanded.]
give ... provisions <05414 06720> [to give them.]
orders <03651> [and thus.]
resting place <04411> [the inn.]
resting place <04411> [inn.]
{Malon,} from {loon,} to stay, abide, lodge, denotes any place to stay and lodge in, particularly a place where travellers usually stop to lodge, which is generally near a well, where they fill their {girbehs,} or leathern bottles, with fresh water, and having unladen and clogged their camels, asses, etc., permit them to crop any little verdure there may be in the place, keeping watch over them by turns. Our word inn here gives us a false idea, there were no such places of entertainment in the desert which Joseph's brethren had to pass; nor are there any at the present day. The only accommodation such a place affords is either a well, or a {khan,} or {caravanserai,} which is generally no more than four bare walls, perfectly exposed, the place being open at the top, and furnishing a wretched lodging: and even these, it is probable, were not in use at this early period.
<03820> [their heart.]
dismayed .... trembling <03318 02729> [failed them. Heb. went forth.]
This refers to the spasmodic affection which is felt in the breast at any sudden alarm or fright.
God <0430> [What is.]
harshly ........... spying <07186 05414> [roughly to us. Heb. with us hard things.]
honest <03651> [true.]
twelve brothers <0251 06240> [twelve brethren.]
move about freely <05503> [traffick.]
each man's <0376> [every man's.]
childless <07921> [Me have ye.]
[all these things are against me.]
{Alay hayoo cullanah,} literally, "upon me are all these things:" rendered by the Vulgate, {in me h‘c omnia mala reciderunt,} "all these evils fall back upon me;" they lie upon me as heavy loads, hastening my death: they are more than I can bear.
two .... death <04191 08147> [Slay my.]
brother <0251> [his brother.]
accident <0611> [if mischief.]
go down ............................... bring down <03381> [bring.]
man <0376> [man.]
solemnly warned <05749> [did solemnly protest. Heb. protesting, protested.]
see ... face <06440 07200> [see my face.]
down <03381> [will not.]
questioned ... thoroughly <07592> [asked us straitly. Heb. asking asked us.]
way <06310> [tenor. Heb. mouth. could we certainly know. knowing could we know.]
boy ........ immediately <05288 06965> [lad with me.]
live <02421> [that we.]
little ones <02945> [also our.]
pledge <06148> [will be.]
hold <03027> [of my hand.]
twice <06471> [this second time. or, twice by this.]
then <0645> [If it must be.]
down <03381> [carry down.]
little balm .... little <04592 06875> [a little balm.]
balm <06875> [balm.]
For an explanation of the words {tzori, nechoth,} and {lot,} here rendered respectively balm, spices, and myrrh, see on ch. 37:25. {Devash,} honey, is supposed by some not to have been that produced by bees, but a syrup produced from ripe dates. The Jewish doctors observe, that the word in 2 Ch 31:5 signifies dates; and the Arabians, at this day, call the choicest dates preserved with butter, {dabous,} and the honey obtained from them, {dibs,} or {dabs.} {Benanim,} nuts signifies pistachio nuts, the finest thing found in Syria; but, according to the others, a small nut, the produce of a species of the turpentine tree. {Shekaidim} is certainly almonds.
honey <01706> [honey.]
spices <05219> [spices.]
double <04932> [double.]
mouths <06310> [mouth.]
God <0410> [And God.]
As .......... lose <0834 07921> [If I be, etc. or, and I, as I have been, etc.]
[See on ver.]
household ....... house <01004> [the ruler.]
Slaughter <02873> [slay. Heb. kill a killing.]
{Tevoch taivach,} "slay a slaying," or make a great slaughter: let preparations be made for a great feast or entertainment. See a similar form of speech in ch. 31:54. .# 1Sa 25:11 Pr 9:2
with ............................. eat with .... noon <0854 0398 06672> [dine with. Heb. eat.]
<0582> [the men.]
wants to capture <01556 05307> [seek occasion against us. Heb. Roll himself upon us.]
come down <03381> [we came indeed down. Heb. coming down we came down.]
came <0935> [we came.]
returned <07725> [we have.]
fine <07965> [Peace.]
money .... brought <0935 03701> [I had your money. Heb. Your money came to me.]
{Caspechem ba ailai,} "your money comes to me:" as I am the steward, the cash for the corn belongs to me. Ye have no occasion to be apprehensive of any evil; the whole transaction is between myself and you; receive therefore the money as a present from "the God of your father," no matter whose hands he employs to convey it.
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
bowed down <07812> [bowed.]
well <07965> [welfare. Heb. peace.]
father well <01 07965> [Is your father well. Heb. Is there peace to your father? the old.]
bowed <06915> [bowed.]
humility <07812> [made obeisance.]
mother's son ........................ son <01121 0517> [mother's son.]
said ......... told ...... said <0559> [of whom.]
God <0430> [God.]
son ........................ son <01121> [my son.]
affection <07356> [his bowels.]
tears ......... wept <01058> [wept there.]
composure <0662> [refrained.]
food <03899> [bread.]
eating .......... eat <03899 0398> [eat bread.]
disgusting <08441> [for that is an abomination.]
The Chaldee Paraphrast renders this clause, "Because the Hebrews eat the cattle which the Egyptians worship." But, as we learn from ver. 16, compared with this verse, that the provision for the entertainment of the Egyptians themselves was animal food, this reason cannot be just. The true reason seems to be that assigned by the LXX., [Bedlyma gar estin tois Aigyptiois pas poim‚n probaton:] "For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians."
[44.12]
portions .......... portion .......... portions <04864> [messes.]
five times <02568 03027> [was five times.]
Sir John Chardin observes, that "in Persia, Arabia, and the Indies, there are some houses where they place several plates in large salvers, and set one of these before each person, or before two or three, according to the magnificence of each house. The great men of the state are always served by themselves, in the feasts that are made for them; and with great profusion, their part of each kind of provision being always double, treble, or a larger proportion of each kind of meat."
drunk <07937> [were merry. Heb. drank largely.]
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.]
able ... control <03201 0662> [could not.]
Make ... go out <03318> [Cause.]
wept loudly <05414 06963> [wept aloud. Heb. gave forth his voice in weeping.]
"This," says Sir J. Chardin, "is exactly the genius of the people of Asia; their sentiments of joy or grief are properly transports, and their transports are ungoverned, excessive, and truly outrageous. When anyone returns from a long journey or dies, his family burst into cries that may be heard twenty doors off; and this is renewed at different times, and continues many days, according to the vigour of the passion. Sometimes they cease all at once, and then begin as suddenly, with a greater shrillness and loudness than one could easily imagine."
Joseph ........ Joseph <03130> [I am Joseph.]
dumbfounded <0926> [for they.]
dumbfounded <0926> [troubled. or, terrified.]
Joseph ................... Joseph <03130> [I am Joseph.]
upset <06087> [be not grieved.]
angry <02734 05869> [nor angry with yourselves. Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes. God.]
years ............. years <08141> [two years.]
plowing <02758> [earing.]
Earing means ploughing or seed-time from the Anglo-Saxon {erian,} probably from {aro,} to plough; and agrees with [aroo <\\See definition 723\\>,] Greek, {charatha,} Arabic, and {charash,} Hebrew.
preserve <07760 07611> [to preserve you a posterity. Heb. to put for you a remnant. to save.]
sent <07971> [it was not.]
adviser <01> [father.]
tell <0559> [Thus saith.]
down <03381> [come.]
land <0776> [in the land.]
Goshen <01657> [Goshen.]
Goshen was the most eastern district of Lower Egypt, and the frontier of that country and Arabia, not far from the Arabian gulf, and lying next to Canaan; for Jacob went directly thither when he came into Egypt, from which it was about eighty miles distant, though Hebron was distant from the Egyptian capital about three hundred miles.
near <07138> [be near.]
can ....... eyes <05869> [your eyes.]
speaks <06310> [my mouth.]
[Not as.]
honor <03519> [my glory.]
down <03381> [bring.]
kissed <05401> [Moreover.]
talked <01696> [talked.]
Pharaoh ....... pleased Pharaoh <06547 03190> [it pleased Pharaoh well. Heb. was good in the eyes of]
Pharaoh.
Load ... animals <02943 01165> [lade your.]
best <02459> [the fat.]
commanded <06680> [commanded.]
[waggons.]
little ones ..... wives <02945 0802> [for your.]
worry .... belongings <02347 03627> [regard not. Heb. let not your eye spare, etc.]
belongings <03627> [stuff.]
best <02898> [the good.]
[waggons.]
instructed <06310> [commandment. Heb. mouth.]
gave .............. gave <05414> [To all.]
It is a common custom with all the Asiatic sovereigns to give both garments and money to ambassadors and persons of distinction, whom they particularly wish to honour. De La Motraye says, "that they then clothed them (the ambassadors) with {caffetans} (long vests of gold or silver brocade) with large silk flowers."
<0376> [each.]
Benjamin <01144> [to Benjamin.]
loaded ..... products ........ loaded ... grain <05375 02898 01250> [laden with. Heb. carrying.]
products <02898> [good things.]
provisions <04202> [meat.]
As {mazon} is derived from {zoon,} to prepare, provide, Dr. A. Clarke thinks it may mean here prepared meat; some made-up dish, delicacies, confectionaries, etc. In Asiatic countries they have several curious methods of preserving flesh by potting, by which it may be kept, for any length of time, sweet and wholesome. Some delicacy, similar to the savoury meat which Isaac loved, may here be intended; sent to Jacob in consideration of his age, and to testify the respect of his son; for of other kinds of meat he could have no need, as he had large flocks and herds, and could kill a lamb, kid, etc. when he pleased.
overcome <07264> [See that.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
ruler <04910> [and he is.]
stunned <03820> [And Jacob's. Heb. And his.]
believe <0539> [he believed.]
spirit <07307> [the spirit.]
Enough <07227> [It is enough.]
Beer Sheba <0884> [A.M. 2298. B.C. 1706. Beer-sheba.]
offered <02076> [and offered.]
God <0430> [unto.]
vision <04759> [in the visions.]
Jacob Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
God <0430> [the God.]
afraid .... down <03372 03381> [fear not.]
make <07760> [I will.]
down <03381> [will go.]
myself .... bring ... back <05927> [and I will.]
Joseph <03130> [and Joseph.]
This last and most solemn office, as Mr. Hewlett observes, that could be paid to a parent, was generally performed by the nearest relation of the deceased. This promise must have given great consolation to the venerable patriarch's mind.
Jacob ............... Jacob <03290> [Jacob.]
[in the waggons.]
Egypt <04714> [into Egypt.]
names <08034> [the names.]
Reuben <07205> [Reuben.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
Jemuel <03223> [Jemuel. or, Nemuel.]
Jakin <03199> [Jachin. or, Jarib.]
Zohar <06714> [Zohar. or, Zerah.]
Canaanite <03669> [Canaanitish.]
Levi <03878> [Levi.]
Gershon <01648> [Gershon. or, Gershom.]
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar.]
Puah <06312> [Phuvah. or, Puah.]
Jashub <03102> [Job. or, Jashub.]
Zebulun <02074> [Zebulun.]
Leah <03812> [Leah.]
Paddan Aram <06307> [Padanaram.]
daughter ..... daughters <01323> [with his.]
sons ... Gad <01121 01410> [sons of.]
Zephon <06837> [Ziphion. or, Zephon.]
Ezbon <0675> [Ezbon. or, Ozni.]
Arodi <0722> [Arodi. or, Arod.]
Asher <0836> [Asher.]
Zilpah <02153> [Zilpah.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
Manasseh <04519> [Manasseh.]
priest <03548> [priest. or, prince.]
sons <01121> [the sons.]
Ehi <0278> [Ehi.]
[Ahiram. Muppim.]
[Shupham.]
[Shuppim. Huppim.]
[Hupham.]
Dan <01835> [Dan.]
Hushim <02366> [Hushim.]
[Shuham.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali.]
Jahziel <03183> [Jahzeel.]
[Jahziel.]
Bilhah <01090> [Bilhah.]
<03409> [loins. Heb. thigh.]
seventy <07657> [threescore and ten.]
Threescore and six were before mentioned, (ver. 26,) so that Joseph and his two sons, together with Jacob himself, complete the seventy persons here enumerated; and the number in ver. 15, 18, 22, and 25 amount to that number. The addition of five persons in the LXX. in ver. 20, was either the cause or the consequence of another difference here; for in that version the number is seventy-five ver. 15, 18, 22, 25.
Judah <03063> [Judah.]
accompany him <03384> [to direct.]
Goshen ......... Goshen <01657> [Goshen.]
Goshen seems to have been a city, after which the land of Goshen was called. The LXX. render it by [Heroonpolis,] Heroonpolis, "city of Heroon;" which by some writers is simply called Heroum, and is by the ancient geographers placed in the eastern part of Egypt, not far from the Arabian Gulf.
chariot <04818> [his chariot.]
hugged ... neck ...... neck <05307 06677> [fell on.]
shepherds <07462> [shepherds.]
livestock <04735> [their trade hath been to feed cattle. Heb. they are men of cattle.]
brought <0935> [and they.]
occupation <04639> [What is.]
servants <05650> [Thy servants.]
care <07462> [for every.]
From the fragments of Manetho, preserved in Josephus and Africanus, it appears that hordes of marauders, call {hycassos,} or shepherd kings, whose chief occupation, like the Bedouin Arabs of the present day, was to keep flocks, made a powerful irruption into Egypt, which they subdued, and ruled, by a succession of kings, with great tyranny for 259 years. Hence the persons, and even the very name of shepherds were execrated, and held in the greatest odium by the Egyptians.
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
land ......... land <0776> [in the land.]
introduced <03322> [presented.]
occupation <04639> [What is.]
care <07462> [shepherds.]
live as temporary residents <01481> [For to.]
famine <07458> [for the famine.]
servants .................. servants <05650> [let thy.]
before <06440> [is.]
Goshen <01657> [Goshen.]
men <02428 0582> [men of activity.]
{Anshey chayil,} men of strength, power, ability, or prowess. It implies both fitness of mind and body; and so valour, prudence, diligence, and virtue.
charge <08269> [rulers.]
livestock <04735> [cattle]
{Mikneh}, from {kanah}, to posses, signifies property or possession of any kind, though it frequently is used for cattle, because in ancient times they constituted the principal part of a man's possessions.
Jacob ....... Jacob <03290> [And Jacob.]
How ..... lived <04100 02416> [How old art thou. Heb. How many are the days of the years of thy life?]
All ......... All <03117> [The days.]
[and hundred.]
<05381> [have not.]
Rameses <07486> [Rameses.]
provided <03557> [nourished.]
father ....... father's <01> [his father.]
according ....... little children <06310 02945> [according to their families. or, as a little child is nourished. Heb. according to the little ones.]
land ......... land ...... land <0776> [A.M. 2300. B.C. 1704. so that.]
wasted away <03856> [fainted.]
money ............................. money <03701> [the money.]
Joseph .............................. Joseph brought <0935 03130> [Joseph brought.]
Give ... food <03051 03899> [A.M. 2301. B.C. 1703. Give us bread.]
bring ... livestock ............ livestock <03051 04735> [Give your cattle.]
This was the wisest measure that could be adopted, both for the preservation of the people and the cattle. As the people had not grain for their own sustenance, consequently they could have none for their cattle: hence they were in the most imminent danger of starving; and the people also were in equal danger; as they must have divided a portion of that bought for themselves with the cattle, which, for the sake of tillage, etc., they wished of course to preserve till the seven years' famine should end.
horses <05483> [for horses.]
food .................. got ... through ....... food <05095 03899> [fed them. Heb. led them.]
[A.M. 2302. B.C. 1702.]
land Buy ..... land .......... land .................. land <07069 0127> [buy us.]
Give <05414> [and give.]
[A.M. 2303. B.C. 1701.]
people <05971> [And as.]
It is highly probable, that Joseph was influenced by no political motive in removing the people to the cities, but merely by motives of prudence and humanity; for, as the corn was laid up in the cities, it would be more eligible to bring then from distant towns and villages to places where they might be more conveniently supplied with food.
<05892> [to cities.]
priests .... priests <03548> [of the priests. or, princes.]
priests .... priests <03548> [for the priests.]
bought <07069> [bought.]
seed <02233> [here is seed.]
one-fifth ..... Pharaoh <02549 06547> [the fifth part.]
lives <02421> [Thou hast.]
showing <04672> [let us.]
So ... made it ... statute <07760 02706> [made it a law.]
From this history, and from Diodorus Siculus (lib. i.), we learn that the land of Egypt was divided into three parts: one belonged to the Priests, (ver. 22, 26;) a second was the king's, (which appears to have been the land of Rameses, or Goshen, ver. 11;) the remainder was the subjects'. Now Joseph, having purchased the land of the people (ver. 19, 20), restored it, on the condition of their paying a fifth part of the produce to the king, beyond which he appears to have made no demand.
Only <07535> [except.]
priests <03548> [priests. or, princes.]
settled <03427> [dwelt.]
fruitful <06509> [grew.]
seventeen <06240> [A.M. 2315. B.C. 1689. seventeen.]
life <02416> [the whole age. Heb. the days of the years of his life.]
die <04191> [must die.]
put <07760> [put.]
show ... kindness <02617 06213> [deal kindly.]
bury .... Egypt <06912 04714> [bury me not.]
Swear ....... do <07650> [Swear.]
Israel bowed <07812 03478> [And Israel bowed.]
As {shachah,} which primarily signifies to bow, denotes also to worship; and as {mittah,} a bed, pronounced {matteh,} is a staff; the LXX. have taken the passage in the latter sense, and rendered it [kai prosekun‚sen Israel epi to akron t‚s rabdou autou,] "and Israel worshipped upon the top of his staff," which is literally copied by the apostle Paul, in his Epistle to the Hebrews. The present reading is, however, supported by the Masoretic pointing and the Targums; and is most probably correct, as it would appear that Jacob was confined to his bed.
father <01> [thy father.]
two sons <01121 08147> [his two sons.]
regained <02388> [strengthened.]
God <0410> [God.]
appeared <07200> [appeared.]
Luz <03870> [Luz.]
fruitful <06509> [Behold I.]
make ........... give <05414> [will give.]
everlasting <05769> [everlasting.]
two sons <01121 08147> [two sons.]
Reuben <07205> [are mine.]
Reuben <07205> [Reuben.]
listed <07121> [and shall be called.]
Paddan <06307> [Padan.]
Rachel <07354> [Rachel.]
[to Ephrath.]
sons <01121> [my sons.]
bless <01288> [bless them.]
eyes <05869> [the eyes.]
failing <03513> [dim. Heb. heavy.]
kissed <05401> [kissed.]
expected <06419> [I had not.]
God <0430> [God.]
bowed ..... face <07812 0639> [he bowed himself.]
Joseph thus shewed that his external greatness did not render him forgetful of the respect due to his father. The Egyptians were remarkable for the reverence paid to old age: "for if a young person meet his senior, he instantly turns aside to make way for him; if an aged person enter an apartment, the youth always rise from their seats;" and Mr. Savary observes, that the same reverence is still paid to old age in Egypt.
right hand <03225> [his right hand.]
placed <07896> [and laid.]
<07919> [guiding.]
firstborn <01060> [firstborn.]
blessed <01288> [blessed.]
walked <01980> [did walk.]
shepherd .... life <07462 05750> [fed me.]
Angel <04397> [Angel.]
who has protected <01350> [redeemed.]
name ........ name <08034> [my name.]
grow .... multitude <01711 07230> [grow into. Heb. as fishes do increase.]
Fish are the most prolific of all animals: a tench lays 1,000 eggs, a carp 20,000, and Leuwenhoek counted in a middling sized cod, 9,384,000.
multitude <07230> [a multitude.]
placed ... right <07896 03225> [laid his.]
took <03415 08551> [displeased him. Heb. was evil in his eyes.]
father ..... father <01> [Not so.]
firstborn <01060> [for this.]
said ... know ..... know <03045 0559> [said, I know it.]
nation ......................... multitude <05971 04393> [become.]
multitude <04393> [multitude. Heb. fulness.]
blessed ......... Israel bless <01288 03478> [Israel bless.]
make ......... put <07760> [and he set.]
die <04191> [Behold.]
God <0430> [God.]
land <0776> [land.]
give <05414> [given.]
Amorites <0567> [Amorite.]
Gather together <0622> [Gather.]
future <03117 0319> [last days.]
listen ...... listen <08085> [hearken.]
firstborn <01060> [my firstborn.]
might <03581> [my might.]
destructive <06349> [Unstable.]
excel <03498> [thou shalt not excel. Heb. do not thou excel.]
got ........... got <05927> [because.]
got ........... got .... couch <03326 05927> [he went up to my couch. or, my couch is gone.]
Simeon <08095> [Simeon.]
weapons <03627> [instruments, etc. or, their swords are weapons of violence.]
soul <05315> [O my soul.]
come <0935> [come.]
council <05475> [secret.]
assembly <06951> [unto their.]
heart <03519> [honour.]
men <0376> [a man.]
hamstrung oxen <07794 06131> [digged down a wall. or, houghed oxen.]
Cursed <0779> [Cursed.]
divide <02505> [I will divide.]
praise <03034> [shall praise.]
hand <03027> [thy hand.]
neck <06203> [the neck.]
father's <01> [thy father's.]
lion's .................... lion <0738> [a lion's.]
<03766> [he stooped.]
scepter <07626> [sceptre.]
ruler's staff <02710> [lawgiver.]
feet <07272> [between.]
<03588> [until.]
obey <03349> [the gathering.]
foal <05895> [his foal.]
wash <03526> [he washed.]
resting place <04496> [rest.]
bend <05186> [bowed.]
snake <05175> [shall be.]
viper <08207> [an adder. Heb. an arrow-snake.]
[Nepthalim.]
fruitful .... fruitful <06509> [a fruitful.]
branches <01323> [branches. Heb. daughters.]
bow <07198> [his bow.]
skillful <06339> [were made.]
Mighty One <046> [the mighty.]
Shepherd <07462> [the shepherd.]
Rock <068> [the stone.]
God <0410> [the God.]
sovereign <07706> [the Almighty.]
blessings ...... blessings ......... blessings <01293> [with blessings.]
greater than <01396> [have prevailed.]
age-old hills <01389 05769> [everlasting hills.]
head <07218> [they shall.]
prince <05139> [was separate.]
ravenous <02963> [ravin.]
wolf <02061> [a wolf.]
evening <06153> [at night.]
twelve <06240> [the twelve.]
go <0622> [gathered.]
Bury ..... fathers <06912 01> [bury me.]
cave <04631> [in the cave.]
Ephron <06085> [Ephron.]
Abraham bought <07069 085> [Abraham bought.]
finished <03615> [had made.]
breathed ... last breath <01478> [and yielded.]
Then ... hugged <05307> [fell.]
wept <01058> [wept.]
physicians ........... physicians <07495> [the physicians.]
The Hebrew {ropheim,} from {rapha,} to heal, is literally the healers, those whose business it was to heal, or restore the body from sickness, by administering proper medicines; and when death took place, to heal or preserve it from decomposition by embalming. The word {chanat,} to embalm, is also used in Arabic to express the reddening of leather; somewhat analogous to our tanning; which is probably the grand principal in embalming.
embalm ....... embalmed <02590> [embalmed.]
forty days ....... time ........... days <03117 0705> [forty days.]
We learn from the Greek historians, that the time of mourning was while the body remained with the embalmers, which Herodotus says was seventy days. During this time the body lay in nitre, the use of which was to dry up all its superfluous and noxious moisture: and when, in the space of 30 days, this was sufficiently effected, the remaining forty, the time mentioned by Diodorus, were employed in anointing it with gums and spices to preserve it, which was properly the embalming. This sufficiently explains the phraseology of the text.
<01058> [mourned. Heb. wept. three-score.]
days <03117> [the days.]
Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
found favor <02580 04672> [found grace.]
swear <07650> [made me.]
die <02009 04191> [Lo, I die.]
dug <03738> [I have.]
Bury ...................... bury <06912> [bury me.]
go <05927> [let me go.]
swear <07650> [as he made.]
up ......... went <05927> [and with him.]
little children <02945> [only their.]
Chariots <07393> [chariots.]
threshing floor <01637> [the threshingfloor.]
This place was situated, according to Jerome, between the Jordan and the city of Jericho, two miles from the former, and three from the latter, where Bethagla was afterwards built. Procopius of Gaza states the same. As {aataad} signifies thorns, the place might have been remarkable for their production; though all the versions except the Arabic consider it as a proper name. As Moses wrote or revised his history on the east side of Jordan, the term beyond Jordan, in his five books, means westward of Jordan; but in other parts of Scripture it generally means eastward.
side <05676> [beyond.]
seven day <07651 03117> [seven days.]
Canaanites <03669> [the Canaanites.]
Abel Mizraim <067> [Abel-mizraim. i.e., The mourning of the Egyptians.]
beyond ... Jordan <03383 05676> [beyond Jordan.]
cave <04631> [the cave.]
father <01> [their father.]
Joseph's ............. Joseph <03130> [Joseph.]
So ... sent .......... instructions <06680> [sent. Heb. charged.]
forgive .................... forgive <05375> [Forgive.]
treated <01580> [they did.]
servants <05650> [servants.]
wept <01058> [wept.]
threw <05307> [fell.]
afraid ........ God <03372 0430> [fear not.]
God <0430> [for am I.]
It belongs to God to execute vengeance, and Joseph did not intend to usurp his prerogative. Thus he instructed his brethren not to fear him, but to fear God; to humble themselves before God, and to seek his forgiveness.
meant ....... intended <02803> [ye thought.]
meant ...... God intended <0430 02803> [God meant.]
provide <03557> [I will nourish.]
kindly <03820> [kindly unto them. Heb. to their hearts.]
110 <03967> [an hundred.]
Joseph's life was the shortest of all the patriarchs; for which Bp. Patrick gives this reason, he was the son of his father's old age.
descendants ............ children ..... son <01121> [the children.]
special inheritance rights <03205> [brought up. Heb. born. Joseph's.]
die <04191> [I die.]
surely ...... lead ... up <06485 05927> [visit you.]
up <05927> [you out.]
swore <07650> [sware.]
oath <07650> [took an.]
come .... Then ....... up <05927> [and ye.]
110 <03967 06235 08141 01121> [being an hundred and ten years old.]
{Ben meah weÆ’iser shanim;} "the son of an hundred and ten years;" the period he lived being personified.
embalmed <02590> [they embalmed.]
CONCLUDING REMARKS. Thus terminates the Book of Genesis, the most ancient record in the world; including the History of two grand and stupendous subjects, Creation and Providence; of each of which it presents a summary, but astonishingly minute and detailed accounts. From this Book, almost all the ancient philosophers, astronomers, chronologists, and historians have taken their respective data; and all the modern improvements and accurate discoveries in different arts and sciences, have only served to confirm the facts detailed by Moses, and to shew, that all the ancient writers on these subjects have approached, or receded from, truth and the phenomena of Nature, in exactly the same proportion as they have followed or receded from, the Mosaic history. The great fact of the deluge is fully confirmed by the fossilised remains in every quarter of the globe. Add to this, that general traditions of the deluge have veen traced among the Egyptians, Chinese, Japanese, Hindoos, Burmans, ancient Goths and Druids, Mexicans, Peruvians, Brazilians, North American Indians, Greenlanders, Otaheiteans, Sandwich Islanders, and almost every nation under heaven; while the allegorical turgidity of these distorted traditions sufficiently distinguishes them from the unadorned simplicity of the Mosaic narrative. In fine, without this history the world would be in comparative darkness, not knowing whence it came, nor whither it goeth. In the first page, a child may learn more in an hour, than all the philosophers in the world learned without it in a thousand years.
