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1
The Shock of Good News
Commentators explain that Jacob's reaction was not simple disbelief, but a profound physical and emotional shock. The Hebrew suggests his heart "grew cold" (Ellicott). The news was so unexpectedly good after 22 years of grief that his body and mind were momentarily overwhelmed, unable to process the joy. This illustrates how stunning news, even positive, can cause a state of stunned paralysis before acceptance.
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Book Overview
Genesis
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Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Genesis 45:1–28
18th Century
Theologian
- גשׁן gôshen — Goshen, Gesem (Arabias related perhaps to גשׁם geshem “rain, shower”), a region on the borders o…
Charles Ellicott
On Genesis 45:26
19th Century
Bishop
Jacob’s heart fainted. —Hebrew, grew cold. This was not the effect of incredulity or suspicion, but of surprise. Jacob, c…
Charles Spurgeon
On Genesis 45:25–28
19th Century
Preacher
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father, and told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is g…
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John Calvin
On Genesis 45:26
16th Century
Theologian
And Jacob’s heart fainted. We know that some people have fainted from sudden and unexpected joy. Therefore, certain interpreters suppose t…
John Gill
On Genesis 45:26
17th Century
Pastor
And told him what had happened to them in Egypt: saying, Joseph [is] yet alive; who was thought…
Matthew Henry
On Genesis 45:25–28
17th Century
Minister
To hear that Joseph is alive is too good news to be true; Jacob faints, for he does not believe it. We faint, because we do not believe. Eventually…