jwa Goshen (Teotu ApaGias; r. perhaps pws rain, shower), a
region on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, near the gulf of Suez.
XLV. 1. And Joseph could not refrain himself before all
that stood by him, and he cried, Have every man out from me.
And there stood no man with him, when Joseph made himself
known unto his brethren. 2. And he lifted up his voice in
weeping: and Mizraim heard, and the house of Pharoh heard.
8. And Joseph said unto his brethren, f am Joseph; is my
father yet alive? And his brethren could not answer him; for
they were troubled at his presence. 4. And Joseph said unto
his brethren, Come near unto me. And they came near: and
he said, Iam Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Mizraim.
5. And, now, be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that
ye sold me hither; because to save life God sent me before
you. 6. For these two years hath the famine been in the land:
and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither
earing nor reaping. 7. And God sent me before you, to leave
to you a remnant in the land; and to save you alive by a great
deliverance. 8 And, now, not ye have sent me hither, but
God: and he made me father to Pharoh, and lord to all his
house, and ruler in all the land of Mizraim. 9. Haste ye, and
go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Jo-
seph, God hath made me lord of all Mizraim: come down
unto me, stay not. 10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of
Goshen, and thou shalt be near me, thou, and thy sons, and
thy sons’ sons, and thy flock and thy heards, and all that thou
hast. 11. And I will sustain thee there; for yet five years is
the famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy house,
and all that is thine. 12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the
eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speak-
eth unto you. 18. And ye shall tell my father all my glory
in Mizraim, and all that ye have seen: and ye shall haste and
bring down my father hither. 14. And he fell upon Benjamin
his brother’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his
neck. 15. And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon
them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
And the voice was heard in Pharoh’s house, saying, Jo-
seph’s brethren are come. And it was good in the eyes of
Pharoh, and in the eyes of his servants. 17. And Pharoh said
unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye: lade your
beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Kenaan. 18. And
take your father and your houses, and come unto me: and I
will give you the good of the land of Mizraim, and eat ye the
fat of the land. 19. And thou art commanded, this do ye:
take you out of the land of Mizraim wagons for your little
ones, and for your wives, and bring your father and come.
And let not your eye care for your stuff: for the good of
all the land of Mizraim is for you.
And so did the sons of Israel ; and Joseph gave them
wagons, at the mouth of Pharoh, and gave them provision for
the way. 22. And to all of them he gave changes of raiment
each; and to Benjamin he gave three hundred silver pieces,
and five changes of raiment. 28. And to his father he sent
thus: ten asses laden with the good of Mizraim, and ten she-
asses laden with corn and bread and food for his father by the
way. 24. And he sent his brethren away, and they went; and
he said unto them, Do not fall out by the way.
And they went up out of Mizraim, and came unto the
land of Kenaan, unto Jacob their father. 26. And they told
him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the
land of Mizraim. And his heart fainted, for he believed them
not. 27. And they spake unto him all the words of Joseph,
which he spake unto them: and he saw the wagons which Jo-
seph had sent to carry him, and the spirit of Jacob their
father revived. 28. And Israel said, Enough: Joseph my son
is yet alive: let me go and see him, before I die.
The appeal of Judah is to Joseph irresistible. The repentance of
his brothers, and their attachment to Benjamin, have been demonstrated
in the most satisfactory manner. This is all that Joseph sought. It Is
evident, throughout the whole narrative, that he never aimed at exer-
cising any supremacy over his brothers. As soon as he has obtained
an affecting proof of the right disposition of his brothers, he conceals
himself no longer. And the speech of Judah, in which, no doubt, his
brothers concurred, does equal credit to his head and heart.
1-15. Joseph now reveals to his brothers the astonishing fact that he
himself, their long-lost brother, stands before them. He could not re-
frain himself. Judah has painted the scene at home to the life; and
Joseph can hold out no longer. Have every man out from me. Deli-
cacy forbids the presence of strangers at this unrestrained outburst of
tender emotion among the brothers. Besides, the workings of con-
science, bringing up the recollections of the past, and the errors, to
which some reference is now unavoidable, are not to be unveiled to the
public eye. He lifted up his voice in weeping. The expression of the
feelings is free and uncontrolled in a simple and primitive state of so-
ciety. This prevails still in the East. And Mizraim heard. The
Egyptians of Joseph’s house would hear, and report to others, this unu-
sual utterance of deep feeling. Jam Joseph. The natural voice, the
native tongue, the long-remembered features, would, all at once, strike
ihe apprehension of the brothers. The remembrance of their crime,
the absolute power of Joseph, and the justice of revenge, would rush
upon their minds. No wonder they were silent and troubled at his
presence. Js my father yet alive? This question shows where Joseph's
thoughts were. He had been repeatedly assured of his father’s wel-
fare. But the long absence and the yearning of a fond heart bring the
question up again. It was reassuring to the brethren, as it was far
away from any thought of their fault or their punishment. 4. Come
near unto me. Joseph sees the trouble of his brothers, and discerns
its cause. He addresses them a second time, and plainly refers to the
fact of their having sold him. He points out that this was overruled
of God to the saving of life; and hence, that it was not they, but God
who had mercifully sent him to Egypt to preserve all their lives. For
these two years. Hence we perceive that the sons of Jacob obtained a
supply, on the first occasion, which was sufficient for a year. To leave
to you a remnant in the land. This is usually and most naturally re-
ferred to a surviving portion of their race. Father to Pharoh ; a sec-
ond author of life to him. Having touched very slightly on their
transgression, and endeavored to divert their thoughts to the wonderful
providence of God displayed in the whole affair, he lastly preoccupies
their minds with the duty and necessity of bringing down their father
and all their families to dwell in Egypt. In the land of Goshen. This
was a pasture land on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, perhaps at
some distance from the Nile, and watered by the showers of heaven,
like their own valleys. He then appeals to their recollections and
senses, whether he was not their very brother Joseph. My mouth that
speakeih unto you; not by an interpreter, but with his own lips, and in
their native tongue. Having made this needful and reassuring expla-
nation, he breaks through all distance, and falls upon Benjamin’s neck
and kisses him, and all his other brothers ; after which their hearts are
soothed, and they speak freely with him.
16-20. The intelligence that Joseph’s brethren are come reaches the
ears of Pharoh, and calls forth a cordial invitation to come and setile
in Egypt. t was good in the eyes of Pharoh. They highly esteemed
Joseph on his own account; and that he should prove to be a member
of a respectable family, and have the pleasure of again meeting with
his nearest relatives, were circumstances that afforded them a real
gratification. The good of the land of Mizraim. The good which it
produces. Wagons ; two-wheeled cars, fit for driving over the rough
country, where roads were not formed. Let not your eye care for your
stuff; your houses, or pieces of furniture which must be left behind.
The family of Jacob thus come to Egypt, not by conquest or purchase,
but by hospitable invitation, as free, independent visitors or settlers.
As they were free to come or not, so were they free to stay or leave.
21-24. The brothers joyfully accept the hospitable invitation of
Pharoh, and set about the necessary arrangements for their journey.
The sons of Jsrael ; including Joseph, who had his own part to per-
form in the proposed arrangement. At the mouth of Pharoh ; ashe had
authorized him to do. Changes of raiment ; fine raiment for change
on a high or happy day. To Benjamin he gives special marks of fra-
ternal affection, which no longer excite any jealous feeling among the
brothers, as the reasonableness of them is obvious. all out. The
original word means to be stirred by any passion, whether fear or
anger, and interpreters explain it as they conceive the circumstances
and the context require. The English version corresponds with the
Sept. (épyieode) and with Onkelos. It refers, perhaps, to the little
flashes of heat, impatience, and contention that are wont to disturb the
harmony of companions in the East, who behave sometimes like over-
grown children. Such ebullitions often lead to disastrous consequences,
Joseph’s exile arose from petty jealousies among brethren.
25-28. The returning brothers inform their father of the existence
and elevation of Joseph in Egypt. The aged patriarch is overcome
for the moment, but at length awakens to a full apprehension of the
joyful news. is heart fainted ; ceased to beat for a time, fluttered,
sank within him. The news was too good for him to venture all at
once to believe it. But the words of Joseph, which they recite, and
the wagons which he had sent, at length lead to the conviction that
it must be indeed true. He is satisfied. His only thought is to go and
see Joseph before he dies. A sorrow of twenty-two years’ standing has
now been wiped away.
XLV. 1. And Joseph could not refrain himself before all that stood by him, and he cried, Have every man out from me. And there stood no man with him, when Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2. And he lifted up his voice in weeping: and Mizraim heard, and the house of Pharoh heard. 8. And Joseph said unto his brethren, f am Joseph; is my father yet alive? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near unto me. And they came near: and he said, Iam Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Mizraim. 5. And, now, be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; because to save life God sent me before you. 6. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither earing nor reaping. 7. And God sent me before you, to leave to you a remnant in the land; and to save you alive by a great deliverance. 8 And, now, not ye have sent me hither, but God: and he made me father to Pharoh, and lord to all his house, and ruler in all the land of Mizraim. 9. Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Jo- seph, God hath made me lord of all Mizraim: come down unto me, stay not. 10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of
Goshen, and thou shalt be near me, thou, and thy sons, and thy sons’ sons, and thy flock and thy heards, and all that thou hast. 11. And I will sustain thee there; for yet five years is the famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy house, and all that is thine. 12. And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speak- eth unto you. 18. And ye shall tell my father all my glory in Mizraim, and all that ye have seen: and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. 14. And he fell upon Benjamin his brother’s neck and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15. And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.
And the voice was heard in Pharoh’s house, saying, Jo- seph’s brethren are come. And it was good in the eyes of Pharoh, and in the eyes of his servants. 17. And Pharoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye: lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Kenaan. 18. And take your father and your houses, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Mizraim, and eat ye the fat of the land. 19. And thou art commanded, this do ye: take you out of the land of Mizraim wagons for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father and come.
And let not your eye care for your stuff: for the good of all the land of Mizraim is for you.
And so did the sons of Israel ; and Joseph gave them wagons, at the mouth of Pharoh, and gave them provision for the way. 22. And to all of them he gave changes of raiment each; and to Benjamin he gave three hundred silver pieces, and five changes of raiment. 28. And to his father he sent thus: ten asses laden with the good of Mizraim, and ten she- asses laden with corn and bread and food for his father by the way. 24. And he sent his brethren away, and they went; and he said unto them, Do not fall out by the way.
And they went up out of Mizraim, and came unto the land of Kenaan, unto Jacob their father. 26. And they told
him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Mizraim. And his heart fainted, for he believed them not. 27. And they spake unto him all the words of Joseph, which he spake unto them: and he saw the wagons which Jo- seph had sent to carry him, and the spirit of Jacob their father revived. 28. And Israel said, Enough: Joseph my son is yet alive: let me go and see him, before I die.
The appeal of Judah is to Joseph irresistible. The repentance of his brothers, and their attachment to Benjamin, have been demonstrated in the most satisfactory manner. This is all that Joseph sought. It Is evident, throughout the whole narrative, that he never aimed at exer- cising any supremacy over his brothers. As soon as he has obtained an affecting proof of the right disposition of his brothers, he conceals himself no longer. And the speech of Judah, in which, no doubt, his brothers concurred, does equal credit to his head and heart.
1-15. Joseph now reveals to his brothers the astonishing fact that he himself, their long-lost brother, stands before them. He could not re- frain himself. Judah has painted the scene at home to the life; and Joseph can hold out no longer. Have every man out from me. Deli- cacy forbids the presence of strangers at this unrestrained outburst of tender emotion among the brothers. Besides, the workings of con- science, bringing up the recollections of the past, and the errors, to which some reference is now unavoidable, are not to be unveiled to the public eye. He lifted up his voice in weeping. The expression of the feelings is free and uncontrolled in a simple and primitive state of so- ciety. This prevails still in the East. And Mizraim heard. The Egyptians of Joseph’s house would hear, and report to others, this unu- sual utterance of deep feeling. Jam Joseph. The natural voice, the native tongue, the long-remembered features, would, all at once, strike ihe apprehension of the brothers. The remembrance of their crime, the absolute power of Joseph, and the justice of revenge, would rush upon their minds. No wonder they were silent and troubled at his presence. Js my father yet alive? This question shows where Joseph's thoughts were. He had been repeatedly assured of his father’s wel- fare. But the long absence and the yearning of a fond heart bring the question up again. It was reassuring to the brethren, as it was far away from any thought of their fault or their punishment. 4. Come near unto me. Joseph sees the trouble of his brothers, and discerns
its cause. He addresses them a second time, and plainly refers to the fact of their having sold him. He points out that this was overruled of God to the saving of life; and hence, that it was not they, but God who had mercifully sent him to Egypt to preserve all their lives. For these two years. Hence we perceive that the sons of Jacob obtained a supply, on the first occasion, which was sufficient for a year. To leave to you a remnant in the land. This is usually and most naturally re- ferred to a surviving portion of their race. Father to Pharoh ; a sec- ond author of life to him. Having touched very slightly on their transgression, and endeavored to divert their thoughts to the wonderful providence of God displayed in the whole affair, he lastly preoccupies their minds with the duty and necessity of bringing down their father and all their families to dwell in Egypt. In the land of Goshen. This was a pasture land on the borders of Egypt and Arabia, perhaps at some distance from the Nile, and watered by the showers of heaven, like their own valleys. He then appeals to their recollections and senses, whether he was not their very brother Joseph. My mouth that speakeih unto you; not by an interpreter, but with his own lips, and in their native tongue. Having made this needful and reassuring expla- nation, he breaks through all distance, and falls upon Benjamin’s neck and kisses him, and all his other brothers ; after which their hearts are soothed, and they speak freely with him.
16-20. The intelligence that Joseph’s brethren are come reaches the ears of Pharoh, and calls forth a cordial invitation to come and setile in Egypt. t was good in the eyes of Pharoh. They highly esteemed Joseph on his own account; and that he should prove to be a member of a respectable family, and have the pleasure of again meeting with his nearest relatives, were circumstances that afforded them a real gratification. The good of the land of Mizraim. The good which it produces. Wagons ; two-wheeled cars, fit for driving over the rough country, where roads were not formed. Let not your eye care for your stuff; your houses, or pieces of furniture which must be left behind. The family of Jacob thus come to Egypt, not by conquest or purchase, but by hospitable invitation, as free, independent visitors or settlers. As they were free to come or not, so were they free to stay or leave.
21-24. The brothers joyfully accept the hospitable invitation of Pharoh, and set about the necessary arrangements for their journey. The sons of Jsrael ; including Joseph, who had his own part to per- form in the proposed arrangement. At the mouth of Pharoh ; ashe had authorized him to do. Changes of raiment ; fine raiment for change
on a high or happy day. To Benjamin he gives special marks of fra- ternal affection, which no longer excite any jealous feeling among the brothers, as the reasonableness of them is obvious. all out. The original word means to be stirred by any passion, whether fear or anger, and interpreters explain it as they conceive the circumstances and the context require. The English version corresponds with the Sept. (épyieode) and with Onkelos. It refers, perhaps, to the little flashes of heat, impatience, and contention that are wont to disturb the harmony of companions in the East, who behave sometimes like over- grown children. Such ebullitions often lead to disastrous consequences, Joseph’s exile arose from petty jealousies among brethren.
25-28. The returning brothers inform their father of the existence and elevation of Joseph in Egypt. The aged patriarch is overcome for the moment, but at length awakens to a full apprehension of the joyful news. is heart fainted ; ceased to beat for a time, fluttered, sank within him. The news was too good for him to venture all at once to believe it. But the words of Joseph, which they recite, and the wagons which he had sent, at length lead to the conviction that it must be indeed true. He is satisfied. His only thought is to go and see Joseph before he dies. A sorrow of twenty-two years’ standing has now been wiped away.