John Calvin on Genesis 43:33-34

33. The first-born according to his birthright “It appears that the brothers of Joseph sat before him at the table, while, according to patriarchal practice, they were accustomed to recline. It appears from the sculptures, that the Egyptians also were in the habit of sitting at table, although they had couches.” — Egypt and the Books of Moses, p. 39. — Ed. Although of the sons of Jacob four were born of bond-women; yet, since they were the elder, they had precedence of their younger brethren, who had descended from free-born mothers; whence it appears that they had been accustomed by their father to keep this order. What, then, some one may say, becomes of the declaration, “the son of the bond-woman shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman?” Truly, I think, since Ishmael was rejected, by the divine oracle proceeding from the mouth of Sarah, as Esau was afterwards, Jacob was fully taught that he had as many heirs as he had sons. Hence arose that equality which caused each to keep his place, first, middle, or last, according to his age. But the design of Moses was to show, that although Benjamin was the youngest, yet he was preferred to all the rest in honor; because Joseph could not refrain from giving him the principal token of his love. It was, indeed, his intention to remain unknown; but affection so far prevails, that, beyond the purpose of his mind, he suddenly breaks out into a declaration of his affection. From the concluding portion of the chapter we gather, what I recently intimated, that the feast was unusually luxurious, and that they were received to it, in a liberal and joyful manner, beyond the daily custom. For the word שכר (shakar,) they “were merry,” signifies, either that they were not always accustomed to drink wine, or that there was more than ordinary indulgence at the sumptuous tables spread for them. Here, however, no intemperance is implied, (so that drunkards may not plead the example of the holy fathers as a pretext for their crime,) but an honorable and moderate liberality. I acknowledge, indeed, that the word has a double meaning, and is often taken in an ill sense; as in Genesis 9:21, and in similar places: but in the present instance the design of Moses is clear. Should any one object, that a frugal use of food and drink is simply that which suffices for the nourishing of the body: I answer, although food is properly for the supply of our necessities, yet the legitimate use of it may proceed further. For it is not in vain, that our food has savor as well as vital nutriment; but thus our heavenly Father sweetly delights us with his delicacies. And his benignity is not in vain commended in Psalm 104:15, where he is said to create “wine that maketh glad the heart of man.” Nevertheless, the more kindly he indulges us, the more solicitously ought we to restrict ourselves to a frugal use of his gifts. For we know how unbridled are the appetites of the flesh. Whence it happens that, in abundance, it is almost always lascivious, and in penury, impatient. We must, however, adhere to St. Paul’s method, that we know how to abound and to suffer need; that is, we must take great care if we have unusual plenty, that it does not hurry us into luxury; and, on the other hand, we must see to it, that we bear poverty with an equal mind. Some one, perhaps, will say, that the flesh is more than sufficiently ingenious in giving a specious color to its excesses; and, therefore, nothing more should be allowed to it than necessity demands. And, truly, I confess, we must diligently attend to what Paul prescribes, (Romans 13:14,)

“Make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

But because it greatly concerns all pious people to receive their food from the hand of God, with quiet consciences, it is necessary for them to know to what extent the use of food and wine is lawful.

CHAPTER 44.

Genesis 44:1-34

1. And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth.

1. Et praecepit praefecto domus suae, dicendo, Imple saccos virorum esca, quantum potuerint ferre, et pone pecuniam uniuscujusque in ore sacci sui,

2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

2. Et scyphum meum, scyphum argenteum, pone in ore saccijunioris, et pecuniam alimenti ejus: et fecit secundum verbum Joseph, quod loquutus fuerat.

3. As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.

3. Mane illuxit, et viri dimissi sunt, ipsi et asini eorum.

4. And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

4. Ipsi egressi erant urbem, nec long abierant, quum Joseph dixit praefecto domus suae, Surge, persequere viros, et apprehende eos, et dices eis, Utquid reddidistis malum pro bono?

5. Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

5. Nonne hic est, in quo bibit dominus meus: et ipse augurando auguratur in eo? Male fecistis quod fecistis.

6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

6. Et apprehendit eos, et loquutus est ad eos verba ista.

7. And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:

7. Et dixerunt ad eum, Utquid loquitur dominus meus secundum verba ista? Absit a servis tuis, ut faciant secundum verbum hoc.

8. Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold?

8. Ecce, pecuniam, quam invenimus in ore saccorum nostrorum, retulimus ad tee terra Chenaan: et quomodo furati essemus e domo domini tui argentum vel aurum.

9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.

9. Is penes quem inventus fuerit e servis tuis, moriatur: et etiam nos erimus domino meo servi.

10. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

10. Et dixit, Etiam nunc secundum verba vestra ita sit: is penes quem inventus fuerit, erit mihi servus, et vos critis innocentes.

11. Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

11. Et festinaverunt, et deposuerunt unusquisque saccum suum super terram: et aperuerunt singuli saccum suum.

12. And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

12. Scrutatus est autem: a maximo incepit, et in minimo finivit: et inventus est scyphus in sacco Benjamin.

13. Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

13. Et sciderunt vestimenta sua, et oneravit unusquique asinum suum, et reversi sunt in urbem.

14. And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

14. Veneruntque Jehudah et fratres ejus ad domum Joseph, et erat adhuc ipse ibi: et prostraverunt se coram eo super terram.

15. And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

15. Et dixit ad eos Joseph, Quod facinus est hoc quod fecistis? Nonne notis quod augurando auguratur vir, qui est sicut ego?

16. And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

16. Respondit Jehudah, Quid dicemus domino meo? Quid loquemur, et in quo justificabimus nos? Deus invenit iniquitatem servorum tuorum: ecce, sumus servi domini mei, etiam nos, etiam ille in cujus manu inventus est scyphus.

17. And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

17. Ille autem dixit, Absit a me ut faciam hoc: vir in cujus manu inventus est scyphus, ipse erit mini servus: et vos ascendite in pace ad patrem vestrum.

18. Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.

18. Et accessit ad eum Jehudah, et dixit, Quaeso, domine mi: loquatur quaeso servus tuus verbum in auribus domini mei, et ne irascatur furor tuus in servum tuum: quia tu sicut Pharao.

19. My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

19. Dominus meus interrogavit servos suos, dicendo, Numquid est vobis pater vel frater?

20. And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

20. Et diximus domino meo, Est nobis pater senex, et puer senectutum parvus, frater autem ejus mortuus est: et remansit ipse tantum matri suae, itaque pater ejus diligit eum.

21. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

21. Et dixisti servis tuis, Descendere facite eum ad me, et ponam oculum meum super eum.

22. And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

22. Respondimus vero domino meo, Non potest puer relinquere patrem suum, et si reliquerit patrem suum, morietur.

23. And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

23. Tu autem dixisti servis tuis, Nisi descendat frater vester minimus vobiscum, ne addatis ut videatis faciem meam.

24. And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

24. Fuit igitur, quando ascendimus ad servum tuum patrem meum, et narravimus ei verba domini mei.

25. And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.

25. Dixit pater noster, Revertimini, emite nobis pusillum escae.

26. And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man’s face, except our youngest brother be with us.

26. Et diximus, non possumus descendere: si fuerit frater noster minimus nobiscum, descendemus: quia non possumus videre faciem viri illus, fratre nostro minimo non existente nobiscum.

27. And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:

27. Tune dixit servus tuus pater meus nobis, Vos nostis quod duos peperit mihi uxor mea.

28. And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:

28. Egressus est unus a me, et dixi, Certe rapiendo raptus est: et non vidi eum hactenus.

29. And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

29. Et capietis etiam hunc a facie mea, et accidet ei mors, descendereque facietis canitiem meam in malo ad sepulcrum.

30. Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad’s life;

30. Nune ergo quum venero ad servum tuum patrem meum, et puer non fuerit nobiscum, (et anima ejus ligata est cum anima ipsius):

31. It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

31. Erit sane, quum viderit ipse quod non sit puer, morietur, et descendere facient servi tui canitiem servi tui patris nostri cum colore ad sepulcrum.

32. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

32. Servus enim tuus fidejussit pro puero patri meo, dicendo, Si non reduxero eum ad to, obnoxius ero poenae patri meo omnibus diebus.

33. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

33. Et nunc maneat quaeso servus tuus pro puero servus domino meo, puer autem ascendat cum fratribus suis.

34. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father

34. Quomodo enim ascendam ad patrem meum, si puer non fuerit mecum? Ne forte videam malum quod inveniet patrem meum.