Commentari biblici

Genesis 45:3. Doth my father yet live— There is great beauty in this interrogation: it is highly expressive of anxious affection; and the transition is finely wrought: I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? Is the pleasing intelligence still which you have before given me? Mr. Pope, in a note on Homer's Odyssey, b. xvi. v. 490. observes. observes, "That the discovery of Ulysses to Telemachus, has some resemblance with that of Joseph's discovery of himself to his brethren; and it may not be disagreeable," says he, "to see how two such authors describe the same passion. I am JOSEPH, I am your brother JOSEPH."

"I am ULYSSES; I, my son! am he! And wept aloud; and he fell on his brother's neck, and wept. He wept abundant, and he wept aloud."

"But it must be owned, that Homer falls infinitely short of Moses. He must be a very wicked man, who can read the history of Joseph without the keenest touches of compassion, and transport. There is a majestic simplicity in the whole relation, and such an affecting portrait of human nature, that it overwhelms us with vicissitudes of joy and sorrow. This is a pregnant instance, how much the best of heathen writers is inferior to the Divine historian upon a parallel subject, where the two authors endeavour to move the softer passions." But, above all, the one account is true, and the other feigned.

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Genesis 45:5. Now therefore be not grieved, &c.— See Gen 45:8 and ch. Genesis 50:20. These passages discover to us the very noble and just ideas which Joseph entertained concerning the Providence of God, whose peculiar prerogative it is to bring good out of evil: but, besides this, we may observe a singular generosity and tenderness of temper in this apology to his brethren; in which he endeavours to remove every uneasy apprehension from their minds. Gracious and benevolent hearts are always unwilling to give pain: the same kindness of disposition, which makes them zealous to diffuse happiness, makes them tender of inflicting even a momentary smart. Joseph was unwilling that his brethren should feel any allay to the satisfaction which the present event afforded them; and therefore he turned, as it were, from their view, the very thought and remembrance of their former unnatural and most wicked behaviour to him, and directed their attention to reflections, which were equally comfortable and important; be not, &c. It was the suffering Providence of God, "You indeed thought evil against me," as he says in another place; but God, who can cause the worst intentions to produce the best consequences to the world in general, and to his church in particular, suffered it for good, to bring about, by that means, the preservation of many people's lives.

To the same purpose Virgil: "Nor beauteous Helena nor Paris blame, Her guilty charms, or his unhappy flame: The gods, my son, th' immortal gods destroy This glorious empire, and the tow'rs of Troy." AEN. ii. ver. 620. But it must never be forgotten, that however the Supreme Ruler, of all events may bring good out of any evil, this will be neither excuse nor palliation for the transgressor himself.

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Genesis 45:6. Earing— i.e.. Ploughing, an old word, from aro, to plough. See Deuteronomy 21:4.Isaiah 30:24; Isaiah 30:24.

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Genesis 45:7. To preserve you a posterity— Heb. To put you for a remainder. See 2 Samuel 14:7.

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Genesis 45:8. Hath made me a father to Pharaoh— i.e.. God has given me as much authority in the court of Pharaoh, as if I were really the king's father; so that he undertakes nothing without my advice, and executes nothing without my orders. And what wonder? since the wisdom of Joseph was so great and experienced, that "the words of his mouth were generally received, not as coming from man, but from God," says Justin, in book 36: chap. 2. of his history. Princes usually conferred this title of father upon their favourite counsellors. He had so far obtained our favour, that he was called our FATHER, says Artaxerxes of Haman, Apoc. Esth. xvi. 11. Hence the Hebrews. Hence the Hebrews (and it was the same among the Greeks) gave this title to old men in their salutations, 2Ki 2:12 and hence too the Roman senators were styled fathers. Calmet says, that the quality of father of the king; was a name of dignity in the court of AEgypt; and that among the Phoenicians, Persians, and Arabians, this name was given to certain grand officers. The Caliphs give the same name to their first ministers.

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Genesis 45:10. Thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen— Goshen was the most easterly province of Lower AEgypt, not far from the Arabian gulph, lying next to Canaan; for Jacob went directly thither, when he came into AEgypt, and stayed there till Joseph came to him, ch. Genesis 46:28. It is called also the land of Rameses, ch. Genesis 47:11. See the note on that verse. Josephus, in his Antiquties, b. ii. c. 4. makes Heliopolis, the city of Joseph's father-in-law, the place of the Israelites' residence: and so it might be, for geographers place it within, or very near, the same country. Wells's Geog. vol. i. p. 369. St. Jerome derives the name of Goshen from a word which signifies rain, because it was oftener refreshed with showers than the other provinces of AEgypt.

And thou shalt be near unto me— The province of Goshen could not therefore be far from the royal city, where Joseph resided at Pharaoh's court, which was at this time in the Lower AEgypt at Zoan, Psa 78:43 called by other authors, Tanis. To have an idea of the situation of the Lower AEgypt, where Goshen was situated, consult the Universal History, vol. 1: p. 392, &c.

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Genesis 45:12. It is my mouth that speaketh unto you— The Chaldee adds, in our own language, without an interpreter, as before.

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Genesis 45:13. Tell my father of all my glory— He enjoins them to do this out of filial love, and in order to give satisfaction to his good old father, not with any vain or ostentatious views. In Joh 17:24 our Saviour says, that they may behold my glory.

REFLECTIONS.—An address so affecting as that of Judah's, could not fail of moving any heart, not a stranger to the feelings of humanity; and how much more Joseph's, so deeply interested in every argument, and pierced with every word of Judah's expressive anguish. The servants instantly dismissed, a burst of tears, no longer to be restrained, gives vent to the overflowing tenderness of his soul. His brethren, who stood in tremulous expectation of instant doom, are astonished at the sight; but beyond all imagination surprised, when words begin to find a passage, and he cries, I am Joseph—Is my father yet alive? Confounded, they are dumb; guilt troubles them: but oh! how far is Joseph's heart from anger or revenge! He draws them near; comforts, instead of reflecting on them; bids them see God's hand bringing good out of their evil; and hastens them to carry his dear and aged father the strange tidings, and bring him down, to spend in plenty, in the land of Goshen, the remaining years of famine. With mutual kisses and embraces he seals the happy meeting, while tears of joy bedew each other's neck, and testify firm reconciliation. Reader, thy heart is unfeeling, if thy tears mingle not with theirs. Note; 1. We have here a beautiful emblem of God's compassions toward the sinful sons of men. 2. An astonishing display of his providence! how glorious and how merciful the dispensation! Blessed are they that trust in him. 3. It is not only the duty, but should be the delight of children to support their parents in their old age. 4. As Joseph says, Come down to me, Jesus says, Come up to me: and Pharaoh's kingdom could not provide such a dwelling, as those mansions which he has prepared for us in our Father's house in heaven.

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