Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Genesis Chapter 44
Overview
Gen 44:1, Joseph's policy to stay his brethren; Gen 44:6, The cup is found in Benjamin's sack; Gen 44:14, They are brought before Joseph; Gen 44:18, Judah's humble supplication to Joseph.
the steward: Heb. him that was over his house, Gen 24:2, Gen 43:16, Gen 43:19
Fill the: Gen 42:25, Gen 43:2; Isa 3:1
Gen 42:15, Gen 42:16, Gen 42:20, Gen 43:32; Deu 8:2, Deu 8:16, Deu 13:3; Mat 10:16; Co2 8:8
Up: Deu 2:16
Wherefore: Sa1 24:17; Ch2 20:11; Psa 35:12, Psa 109:5; Pro 17:13; Joh 10:32
divineth: or, maketh trial, Gen 44:15 *marg. Gen 30:27; Lev 19:26; Kg1 20:33; Kg2 21:6; In the East, there is an ancient tradition, that there was a Cup which possessed the strange property of representing in it the whole world, and all the things which were then doing. The cup is called Jami Jemsheed, "the cup of Jemsheed," a very ancient king of Persia; and they say that it was discovered, filled with the elixir of immortality, when digging to lay the foundations of Persepolis. The Persian poets are full of allusions to this cup, which they style Jem jehan nima, the cup shewing the universe; and to it they ascribe all the prosperity of their ancient monarchs. Many of the Mahometan princes and governors affect still to have information by means of a cup. Now, though it cannot be admitted that Joseph practised divination, yet, according to the superstition of those times, supernatural influence might be attributed to HIS CUP.
Gen 34:25-31, Gen 35:22, Gen 37:18-32, Gen 38:16-18; Jos 22:22-29; Sa2 20:20; Kg2 8:13; Pro 22:1; Ecc 7:1; Heb 13:18
the money: Gen 42:21, Gen 42:27, Gen 42:35, Gen 43:12, Gen 43:21, Gen 43:22
how then: Gen 44:7; Exo 20:15; Deu 5:19; Mat 19:18; Rom 13:9; Jam 2:10, Jam 2:11
both: Gen 31:32; Job 31:38-40; Psa 7:3-5; Act 25:11
and we: Gen 43:18
he with whom: Gen 44:17, Gen 44:33; Exo 22:3; Mat 18:24, Mat 18:25
began: Gen 43:33
and the cup: Gen 44:26-32, Gen 42:36-38, Gen 43:14
Gen 37:29-34; Num 14:6; Sa2 1:2, Sa2 1:11, Sa2 13:19
he was yet: Gen 43:16, Gen 43:25
fell: Gen 37:7-9, Gen 50:18; Phi 2:10, Phi 2:11
What: Gen 44:4, Gen 44:5, Gen 3:13, Gen 4:10
wot ye not: Gen 21:26, Gen 39:8; Exo 32:1
divine: or, make trial, Gen 44:5
Judah: Gen 44:32, Gen 43:8, Gen 43:9
What shall we say: Deu 25:1; Ezr 9:10, Ezr 9:15; Job 40:4; Pro 17:15; Isa 5:3; Dan 9:7; Act 2:37
God hath: Gen 37:18-28, Gen 42:21, Gen 42:22; Num 32:23; Jos 7:1, Jos 7:18; Jdg 1:7; Pro 28:17; Mat 7:2; Luk 12:2
iniquity: Gen 43:9; Isa 27:9; Dan 9:7
behold: Gen 44:9, Gen 37:7, Gen 37:9
God forbid: Gen 18:25, Gen 42:18; Sa2 23:3; Psa 75:2; Pro 17:15
he shall: Gen 44:10
in peace: Gen 26:29, Gen 37:32, Gen 37:33
Oh my Lord: "No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned, and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive."
let thy: Gen 18:30, Gen 18:32; Sa2 14:12; Job 33:31; Act 2:29
anger: Exo 32:22; Est 1:12; Psa 79:5
as Pharaoh: Gen 41:40, Gen 41:44; Pro 19:12; Dan 3:15, Dan 3:19-23, Dan 5:19; Joh 5:22
Gen 42:7-10, Gen 43:7, Gen 43:29
we said: Every word in this verse is simplicity and pathos itself. No man of the least sensibility can read it without great emotion. Indeed the whole speech is exquisitely beautiful, and perhaps the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language. When we read this generous speech, we forgive Judah all the past, and cannot refuse to say, "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise." Gen 49:8
a child: Gen 35:18, Gen 37:3, Gen 37:19, Gen 43:7, Gen 43:8, Gen 46:21
and his brother: Gen 37:33-35, Gen 42:36, Gen 42:38
he alone: Gen 44:27-29; Luk 7:12
Bring: Gen 42:15, Gen 42:20, Gen 43:29
that I may: Jer 24:6, Jer 40:4; Amo 9:4
his father would die: Gen 44:30, Gen 42:38
Gen 42:15-20, Gen 43:3, Gen 43:5
we told him: Gen 42:29-34
Gen 29:18-21, Gen 29:28, Gen 30:22-25, Gen 35:16-18, Gen 46:19
Surely: Gen 37:33, Gen 42:36, Gen 42:38
And if: Gen 42:36, Gen 42:38, Gen 43:14; Psa 88:3, Psa 88:4
sorrow: Gen 44:31, Gen 42:38; Deu 31:17; Psa 88:4
When I: Gen 44:17, Gen 44:31, Gen 44:34
his life: Sa1 18:1, Sa1 25:29; Sa2 18:33
when he: Sa1 4:17, Sa1 4:18; Co2 7:10; Th1 4:13
servants shall: Gen 44:29, Gen 37:26, Gen 37:27, Gen 37:35; Sa1 22:22
therefore: What must Benjamin have felt when he heard his brother conclude his speech by a proposal which could never have been thought of if it had not been actually made! Perhaps the annals of the whole world do not produce an instance of so heroic and disinterested affection in any mere man.
I pray thee: Exo 32:32; Rom 5:7-10, Rom 9:3
lest: Sa1 2:33, Sa1 2:34; Ch2 34:28; Est 8:6; Jer 52:10, Jer 52:11
come on: Heb. find, Exo 18:8; Job 31:29; Psa 116:3, Psa 119:143 *marg.