Genesis Chapter Forty-Three Series

GENESIS CHAPTER FORTY-THREE OVERVIEW

Overall what is happening in this chapter is that the brothers of Joseph, after using up the grain which they had purchased, returned to Egypt again.

Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 43

Jacob, overcome by the entreaty of his sons, delivers Benjamin to them, and sends them again into Egypt. Joseph receives his brethren with great kindness, brings Simeon out to them, and makes them a feast.

Adam Clarke (1826) – Genesis 43

The famine continuing, Jacob desires his sons to go again to Egypt and buy some food, (Genesis 43:1-2). Judah shows the necessity of Benjamin’s accompanying them, without whom it would be useless to return to Egypt, (Genesis 43:3-5). Jacob expostulates with him, (Genesis 43:6). Judah replies, and offers to become surety for Benjamin, (Genesis 43:7-10). Jacob at last consenting and desires them to take a present with them for the governor of Egypt; and double money, that which they had brought back in their sacks’ mouth, and the price of the load they were now to bring; and, having prayed for them, sends them away, (Genesis 43:11-15). They arrive in Egypt, and are brought to Joseph’s house to dine with him, at which they are greatly alarmed, (Genesis 43:16-18). They speak to the steward of Joseph’s house concerning the money returned in their sacks, (Genesis 43:19-22). He gives them encouragement, (Genesis 43:23-24). Having made ready the present, they bring it to Joseph when he came home to dine, (Genesis 43:25-26). He speaks kindly to them, and inquires concerning their health, and that of their father, (Genesis 43:27-28). Joseph is greatly affected at seeing his brother Benjamin, (Genesis 43:29-31). They dine with him, and are distinguished according to their seniority; but Benjamin receives marks of peculiar favor, (Genesis 43:32-34).

John Gill (1746) – Genesis 43

This chapter informs us how that the famine continued in the land of Canaan, and the corn that Jacob's family had from Egypt being consumed, Jacob pressed his sons to go down for more, which they refused to do, unless Benjamin was sent with them, for whose safety Judah offered to become a surety, (Genesis 43:1); Jacob with reluctance was prevailed upon to let him go, and dismissed them with a present to the governor of Egypt, and with double money to buy corn with, and with his blessing upon them, (Genesis 43:11); upon which they set out for Egypt; and when they came into the presence of Joseph, he seeing Benjamin with them, ordered his steward to have them to his house, and get dinner ready, it being his pleasure that they should dine with him that day, (Genesis 43:15); this threw them into a fright, supposing they were going to be called to an account for the money they found in their sacks; wherefore they related to the steward very particularly the whole of that affair, who bid them not be uneasy, for he had had their money; and as a proof that things would go well with them, brought Simeon out to them, and treated them very kindly and gently, (Genesis 43:18); and having got their present ready against Joseph came home, they delivered it to him with great veneration and submission; who asked of the welfare of their father, and whether that was not their younger brother they spoke of, the sight of whom so affected him, that he was obliged in haste to retire to his chamber, and weep, (Genesis 43:25); and having washed his face, and composed himself, he returned and ordered dinner to be brought, which was set on different tables, one for himself and the Egyptians, and the other for his brethren, whom he placed according to their age, to their great surprise; and sent them messes from his table to each, and to Benjamin five times more than the rest, and they were so liberally entertained, that they became cheerful and merry, (Genesis 43:31).

Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 43

Here the story of Joseph's brethren is carried on, and very particularly related:

I. Their melancholy parting with their father Jacob in Canaan (Genesis 43:1-14).

II. Their pleasant meeting with Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 43:15, etc.). For on this occasion nothing occurs there but what is agreeable and pleasant.

KEY VERSE

Genesis 43:2 So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, "Go back, buy us a little food."

KEY EVENT

Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt, along with Benjamin, in order to purchase more grain.

KEY THOUGHT

Jacob is looking out for the welfare of the entire family and therefore sends his sons back to Egypt to obtain food for all.

KEY QUOTE

“I believe the family was established long before the Church, and my duty is to my family first.” D.L. Moody