(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research in mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history recorded in the Word of God and in any ancient records from many, which records support it, plus archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God, written and preserved for us in our own language, is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.
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There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
Introduction/Start of study
Genesis Chapter 43: BENJAMIN BROUGHT IN, SIMEON BROUGHT OUT
Because they have run out of food, they have to return to Joseph, in fear, for more. Benjamin must go with them, despite any protests from Jacob, because it is necessary. No one in Joseph's family from his father to all of his brothers knows the thing God is doing for them all in the long run, because God gives us patience as we need to wait on Him.
Their brother Simeon has probably been well treated, but they do not know this at all, thinking he has it rough, maybe even has been killed, but wait all of this time to return to get him. They will get their food, they will get their brother Simeon, Joseph will get to see Benjamin, Jacob will get more uncertainty, for now. Patience will be needed.
(Genesis 43:1-2 [AKJV/PCE])
And the famine was sore in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food.
"A little food", presumably because, since the famine was so sore, Jacob may have thought that "a little" was probably all that there was to buy, knowing the Egyptian empire was so huge
Well, at the least it gives Simeon time to think, if the brethren did not think of him
(Genesis 43:3 [AKJV/PCE])
And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
They were not given a choice to decide to bring Benjamin or not, by Joseph
The word protest here simply means a solemn declaration and affirmation, like an oath, with Joseph's authority to make good on it
What they do not know, not knowing who Joseph is, is that he CAN make good on it
(Genesis 43:4-5 [AKJV/PCE])
If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.
It is probable that Joseph, knowing his father Jacob's great love for him,for his sons and for Benjamin, that this would be what was necessary for him to be reunited, one by one, with the rest of the family, understanding this was what God wanted to do with and for him and his nation
(Genesis 43:6 [AKJV/PCE])
And Israel said, Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me, as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother?
It is not that Jacob wanted them to, or wished that, they had lied to this leader/ruler in Egypt, but he thinks that they volunteered this information about the family foolishly, unnecessarily, even dangerously, revealing and exposing all of their family to him
(Genesis 43:7 [AKJV/PCE])
And they said, The man asked us straitly of our state, and of our kindred, saying, Is your father yet alive? have ye another brother? and we told him according to the tenor of these words: could we certainly know that he would say, Bring your brother down?
The tenor here being that they said it roughly to Jacob, repeating it exactly as Joseph did
Because Joseph spoke roughly, they were afraid to not tell him the truth
STRAITLY, adv.
Narrowly; closely.
Strictly; rigorously. [For this, strictly is now used.]
Closely; intimately.
TEN'OR, n. [L. tenor, from teneo, to hold.]
Continued run or currency; whole course or strain. We understand a speaker's intention or views from the tenor of his conversation, that is, from the general course of his ideas, or general purport of his speech. Does not the whole tenor of the divine law positively require humility and meekness to all men?
Stamp; character. The conversation was of the same tenor as that of the preceding day. This success would look like chance, if it were not perpetual
and always of the same tenor.
Sense contained; purport; substance; general course or drift; as close attention to the tenor of the discourse. Warrants are to be executed according to their
form and tenor. Bid me tear the bond. --When it is paid according to the tenor.
In music, the natural pitch of a man's voice in singing; hence, the part of a tune adapted to a man's voice, the second of the four parts, reckoning from the base;
and originally the air, to which the other parts were auxiliary.
The persons who sing the tenor, or the instrument that plays it.
(Genesis 43:8-9 [AKJV/PCE])
And Judah said unto Israel his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever:
This is desperation from a lack of food, knowing that there would be the most dire consequences, either way.
If they did not leave to get food, they would all die
In their mind, if they went and Simeon, Benjamin or all of them were killed, then Jacob and the rest would still have no food and die anyways
(Genesis 43:10 [AKJV/PCE])
For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.
Apparently this was a long time deliberating, when he says they could have gone and come back already from Egypt with food and Simeon
(Genesis 43:11 [AKJV/PCE])
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
None of this was inexpensive, all of it very costly, many were actual valuable commodities then, as now
(Genesis 43:12 [AKJV/PCE])
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
The money was not a gift for them to keep, but a token to show grace, mercy, to be used to buy food
(Genesis 43:13-14 [AKJV/PCE])
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
This is all we have for us, the mercy of God Almighty
Now two sons, in Jacob's eyes, are at risk of being lost, not just one
This is God working to get them there, His plan, and he is using and redeeming them from their sin of wanting, trying to kill Joseph, eventually selling him into Egypt through the Ishmaelites
God is the God of the resurrection, and this is how He works in his time, in His plan, in His way
(Genesis 43:15 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
Eventually, humility comes from circumstances
This is the beginning of Jacob's temporary uncertainty on seeing two or all of his sons again
(Genesis 43:16-17 [AKJV/PCE])
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
His brothers do not know anything yet as to who this ruler is, nor what is about to happen
Joseph, knowing who they are, having not seen them for some time, is not necessarily ready yet to reveal himself, but is biding his time
(Genesis 43:18 [AKJV/PCE])
And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.
In his brother's collective and confused minds, they are but dead men at his command, this ruler
This is from the fact that, in their mind, not knowing who this man is, the Egyptians could and in fact did do this, for four hundred years after all of this, until the Exodus
(Genesis 43:19-22 [AKJV/PCE])
And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food: And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.
They are telling Joseph that they are confused as to how this money got back into their possession when they took it from themselves and gave it to the ruler and his servants, for food
One does not buy something and immediately get a secret refund
All part of God and Joseph's plan, to get Benjamin here, so next is Joseph's father Jacob
(Genesis 43:23 [AKJV/PCE])
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
"I had your money", because he wants them to know that they are all forgiven for their sin against them, just not in a way yet that they will understand, not through revealing who he is yet
Joseph further wanted them to know that God did this for them, by His providence, that is, their God, who he also knows (even though they think he is an Egyptian), the God of Abraham, Isaac, their fathers, and Jacob their father
(Genesis 43:24 [AKJV/PCE])
And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their asses provender.
Treated like guests of favor, probably even more confused now, because of the money in the sacks and his demeanor, words about it
They are quite taken aback by all of this, which is sometimes where we need to be when God will do something monumental in us, with us, through us
(Genesis 43:25 [AKJV/PCE])
And they made ready the present against Joseph came at noon: for they heard that they should eat bread there.
The word "against" here actually means "for", to get ready for in the English, just fallen from use
To add to their own confusion, they will now be guests at the table of this ruler, who is supposed to, by culture and tradition, hate them who are Jews, Israelites
AGAINST, prep. agenst'.
In opposition; noting enmity or disapprobation. His hand will be against every man. Gen 16. I am against your pillows. Ezek 8.
In opposition, noting contrariety, contradiction, or repugnance; as, a decree against law, reason or public opinion.
In opposition, noting competition, or different sides or parties; as, there are twenty votes in the affirmative against ten in the negative.
In an opposite direction; as, to ride against the wind.
Opposite in place; abreast; as, a ship is against the mouth of a river. In this sense it is often preceded by over. Aaron lighted the lamps over against the
candlesticks. Numbers 8.
In opposition, noting adversity, injury, or contrariety to wishes; as, this change of measures is against us.
Bearing upon; as, one leans against a wall.
In provision for; in preparation for. Urijah made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. 2 Ki 16.
In this sense against is a preposition, with the following part of the sentence for an object. See After, prep. def. 2. In short, the sense of this word is opposition,
variously modified according to its application to different objects.
(Genesis 43:26 [AKJV/PCE])
¶ And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves to him to the earth.
More confirmation of Joseph's dreams
(Genesis 43:27 [AKJV/PCE])
And he asked them of their welfare, and said, Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?
Imagine their suprprise when an Egyptian ruler shows concern about an Israelite, father, son, brother, mother, daughter, sister, anyone
(Genesis 43:28 [AKJV/PCE])
And they answered, Thy servant our father is in good health, he is yet alive. And they bowed down their heads, and made obeisance.
Most likely Jacob had told them to be respectful to this leader, because they may not have naturally been so on their own
It must be remembered that they lied about the fate of Joseph to Jacob, deceiving him into thinking Joseph was dead with the coat of many colours being dipped in blood
So this bowing does two things:
Serves to show that Joseph is strong as a leader in Egypt
Partially fulfills his dream, which he can then let them realize later on
(Genesis 43:29 [AKJV/PCE])
And he lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto me? And he said, God be gracious unto thee, my son.
Either Joseph wanted to make sure this was indeed Benjamin, since so much time had passed, or else he wanted to make certain, not necessarily trusting his brothers, and that not without cause
"God be gracious unto thee, my son"......that has to have been yet another shocker, Joseph praying for Benjamin in front of them, being a pagan, Egyptian ruler
(Genesis 43:30 [AKJV/PCE])
And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
A family reunion of brethren, this one of whom he may never have seen again without God bringing the famine, is indeed a happily overwhelming time
(Genesis 43:31 [AKJV/PCE])
And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.
Since it is not yet time for the reveal coming shortly, Joseph had to hide his countenance from them and be strong in front of them
He was gracious to them, but a ruler, being strong, not their slave any longer, and he knew that they had to know and acknowledge that
(Genesis 43:32 [AKJV/PCE])
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
This is more proof that Joseph, to them, was an Egyptian, and he was playing the part for now
This was all made necessary by their own folly when he was young, probably the best and only way to ensure that they coukld be kept in line, be obedient enough to bring to him both Benjamin his brother and Jacob his father
(Genesis 43:33 [AKJV/PCE])
And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one at another.
This is, "What are we doing here? What is going on here? Who IS this Egyptian guy and why is he being so nice to us?"
(Genesis 43:34 [AKJV/PCE])
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.
Still not recognizing who Joseph was, because of the interpreters present, more utter confusion
Feeding Benjamin five times as much is another unusual thing to them, his brethren, because, since his brethren earlier had envied Joseph for being Jacob's favorite, and for his coat of many colors, the treatment of favoritism for Benjamin must have been yet another mystery, a Jew gaining such favor, in an instant, by an Egyptian
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