Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 43

The man asked us straitly. — In Genesis 42:13, they appear rather as volunteering a statement of their family relations than as having it wrung from them by cross-examination. But really, this history must be taken as explaining and supplementing the former. Accused of being spies, they would naturally give an account of themselves, and Joseph, anxious to know about his father and brother, would certainly put numerous questions to them concerning their home and family. And they would answer them fully and frankly, little suspecting who the questioner was, and what his real reason was for exacting Benjamin’s presence in proof of their trustworthiness.

Of our state and of our kindred. — Hebrew, concerning ourselves and our birthplace (Genesis 24:4; Genesis 24:7; Genesis 31:3), that is, our home. Questions about ourselves would be such as those given: “Is your father yet alive? Have ye a brother?” And besides these, Joseph would interrogate them closely concerning the place from where they came, and the state of things there.

The lad. —Benjamin was now between twenty and thirty years of age. The term “lad” in Judah’s mouth is one of affection, but even in itself it suits a youth of this age very well. Rebekah is called in the Hebrew a lad (see Note there), and so is Shechem in Genesis 34:19. The assertion, therefore, that Benjamin is here represented as a mere boy, is disproved by the use of the word in the Hebrew.

Our little ones. —Hebrew, our “tafs” that is, our households. (See Note on Genesis 34:29.)

Then let me bear the blame for ever. —This is much more manly and therefore more persuasive than Reuben’s talk about pledging the lives of his children. For it was real, nor would it be a slight matter to stand in his father’s presence all the rest of his life as one guilty of a grievous crime.

The best fruits. The Hebrew term is the song, that is, whatever in the land is most celebrated in song.

In your vessels. This is the word used in Genesis 42:25 (see Note). Concerning this gift, two remarks must be made. First, it proves that although there was not enough rain in Palestine to bring the grain to perfection, there was still some small supply, sufficient to maintain a certain amount of vegetation. Without this, Jacob could not have kept his cattle alive (Genesis 47:1).

Next, the smallness of the gift does not so much show that Jacob had very simple ideas about the greatness of the king of Egypt, as that there was a scarcity even of these fruits. Probably the trade in them had ceased, and therefore even a moderate quantity would be welcome. For the words translated as balm, spices, and myrrh (actually balsam, gum-tragacanth, and ladanum), see Note on Genesis 37:25.

Honey. Since both the honey made by bees and date honey were common in Egypt, many suppose that this was grape-honey, prepared by boiling down the juice of ripe grapes to a third of its original quantity. Hebron is famous for its preparation, and even in modern times, three hundred camel loads used to be exported from there annually into Egypt. Diluted with water, it forms a very pleasant drink and is also largely eaten with bread, as we eat butter.

Nuts. This refers to pistachio nuts, the fruit of the Pistacia vera. Since the tree prefers dry, rocky situations, it will not grow in Egypt. It has an oily kernel, both palatable in itself and also much used for making savory dishes. These and the almonds, which also do not grow well in Egypt, would be acceptable gifts.

Double money. —So Rashi; but others render it literally, second money, that is, a second sum of money. This agrees with the phrase “other money” (Genesis 43:22).