The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 535

EXPOSITION. Shechemites (Keil, Murpl1y); or because be CH.APTER XLIII. could speak to his father with greater free- Vors. 1, 11.-And the famine was sore dom, having a freer conscience than the rest (literally, was heavy) in the land (sc. of (Lange); or because be was a man possessed Canaan). And it came to paBB (how long of greater prudence and ability than the rest e,fter the return of J oseph's brethren cannot (Lawson), if indeed the suggestion is not be determined, as the quantity of grain they correct that they all endeavoured to persuade brought or the number that partook of it their father, though Judah's eloquence alone cannot possibly be estimated; ont it may be is recorded (Calvin) -the man (i. e. the reasonably inferred that several months had Egyptian viceroy) did solemnly protest elapsed since their arrival at Hebron), when (literally, protesting did protest, i. o. did they had eaten up-literally, had_fi;nishedto earnestly protest) unto us, saying,-with au eat up, i e. not nearly (Mercerus, Bush), but oath which is not here repeated (eh. xlii. 15) entirely consumed-the corn which they -Ye shall not see my face, except your had brought out of Egypt,-it is probable brother be with you. that only J acob's family partook of the Egypt- Vera. 4, 5.-If thou wilt send-literally;' ian corn, the slaves supporting t~emselves if thou ai·t sending, i. e. if thou art agreenble on roots, vegetables, and milk (Calvm, Rosen- to send (cf. cb. xxiv. 42, 49; Judges vi. 36) miiller, Gel'lach)-their father said unto -our brother with us, we will go down and them, Go again, buy us a little food. What buy thee food: but (literally, and) if thou they could buy would be little in proportion wilt not send him (a similar foril,l of expression to their needs. to the above, the two words ~.\ being, nnd Ver. 3.-And J'udahspake unto him, say- !)~, not being, including the substantive verb, ing -Judah now becomes the spokesman, and being conjoined with 11 participle for the either because Reuben's entreaty had been finite verb), we will not go down: for the man rejected, and Levi, who followed Reuben and said unto us, Ye ahall not see my faoe, exoept Simeon in respect of age, had forfeited hie your brother be with you. Jud11h's peremp• father's confidence though his tren ehery to the tory language receives sufficient justification CIT. XLIII, 1-34,] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 483