believe that it was a supernatural occurrence, but of auspicious omen, and not, as they had imagined, a calamity.—The notice of Simeon's release is here inserted as the most convenient place, from E.—24. Cf. 2432.—25. they had heard, etc.] In conversation with the steward (cf. v.16).
26-34. At Joseph's table.—27, 28. Joseph's courteous
inquiries as to their welfare and that of their father are a
studied prelude to—29-31, his profound emotion
at the sight of Benjamin,—his (full) brother, the son of his mother. The disparity in age must have been great ((
Hebrew characters)):
one wonders whether the narrative does not presuppose
that Benjamin had been born since Joseph had been lost.—30, 31. For the second time (4224) Joseph's affection finds
relief in tears, and again he restrains himself, that he may
carry out his plan.—The interlude reveals, as Gu. remarks,
a power of psychological observation which is absent from
the oldest legends.—32-34. The feast brings two more
surprises: the arrangement of the brothers in the order of
seniority (see on 4224); and the special favour shown to
Benjamin.—32 affords an interesting glimpse of Egyptian
manners. Joseph's isolation at table was perhaps due to
his having been admitted a member of the priestly caste
(4145), which kept itself apart from the laity (Kn-Di.). The
Egyptian exclusiveness in intercourse with foreigners, which
would have been perfectly intelligible to the later Jews,
evidently struck the ancient Israelites as peculiar (Gu.).
Cf. Her. ii. 41.—34. The custom of honouring a guest by
24. (Hebrew characters)] G om.—25. (Hebrew characters)] G more easily (Hebrew characters) (of Joseph).
26. (Hebrew characters)] On Dagh. or Mappiq in (Hebrew characters), see G-K. § 14 d.—(Hebrew characters)] G pr.
(Hebrew characters).—27. (Hebrew characters)] noun? or adj.? See G-K. § 141 c4.—28. After Athnach
[E]G ins. (Hebrew characters),—a parallel to the benediction on Benj.
(29): clumsy in expression and hardly original.—29. (Hebrew characters)] G + (Hebrew characters),—an
interesting and perhaps correct addition.—(Hebrew characters)] for (Hebrew characters) (as Is. 3019);
see G-K. § 67 n.—30. (Hebrew characters)] 'hastily sought,' though an intermediate
clause between the complementary vbs. is very unusual.—(Hebrew characters)]
[E] (Hebrew characters).—32. (Hebrew characters)] Better (Hebrew characters): so Vns. Ba.—G adds (Greek characters),
in mistaken accommodation to 4634.—34. (Hebrew characters)] GS (Hebrew characters).—(Hebrew characters)]
= 'shares' or 'times,' 4724, 2 Ki. 117, 2 Sa. 1944, Neh. 111, Dn.
120 † .—(Hebrew characters)] hardly 'got drunk': (Hebrew characters) of convivial drinking, Hag. 16,
Ca. 51.
