Chapter XXIII.
BENJAMIN’S JOURNEY TO EGYPT.
[Gen. 43. ]
BUT after some months the corn which the sons of Jacob had brought from Egypt was consumed, and the famine still continued. Therefore Jacob said to his sons: “Go again into Egypt and bring us a little food.” Juda told his father that the governor had forbidden them to come back to Egypt, unless they brought Benjamin with them. And Juda added: “Send the boy with me that we may set forward, lest both we and our children perish. I take the boy upon me; require him at my hand.”[1] So Jacob consented to let Benjamin go. And he told his sons to take some of the best fruits of the country as presents to the governor of Egypt, and also to return the money, which they had found in their sacks, lest perhaps it was done by mistake. Then he prayed that God might prosper their journey, and make the governor of Egypt favourable[2] to them, and send them back with Simeon and Benjamin.
Then they went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw them, and Benjamin in their midst, he commanded his steward to conduct them to his house, and prepare a banquet[3]. The steward obeyed. But the brothers, on finding themselves in the governor’s house, were seized with fear, and said one to another: “Because of the money, which we carried back the first time in our sacks, we are brought in that he may bring upon us a false accusation, and by violence make slaves of us.” Therefore, they went to the steward at the door, and said: “We cannot tell who put that money in our bags.” But he said to them: “Peace be to you; fear not.” And he brought Simeon out to them. Joseph having now entered the house, they bowed down before him and offered their gifts. He kindly saluted them in return, and asked if their aged father[4] was still living.
- ↑ At my hand. I will be surety for him. I myself will stay in Egypt rather than that Benjamin should not return to you.
- ↑ Favourable. Favourably inclined, or kindly disposed towards them.
- ↑ Banquet. As soon as Joseph had convinced himself that Benjamin was alive, he resolved to receive his brothers cordially, and have a feast prepared.
- ↑ Their aged father. How beautiful and touching it is that Joseph’s first thought should be to ask after his father.
