Matthew Poole and continuators on Genesis 42:24

24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept , and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon , and bound him before their eyes .

Tears partly of natural affection and compassion towards his brethren, now in great distress and anguish; and partly of joy to see the happy success of his design and rigorous carriage in bringing them to the sight of their sins.

Whom he chuseth to punish, partly because next to Reuben, he was the eldest, and, as it may be probably gathered from his bloody disposition, Gen. 34. 25. and 49. 6. the most fierce and forward against Iosep[illegible: 1+ letters], when Reuben was for milder counsels as we see here, ver. 22. and chap. 37. 29. and partly because the detainment of one of so perverse and furious a temper would least afflict his father, and most secure Benia[illegible: 1+ letters]in, who was to come with his Brethren.

That it might make deeper impression upon their hard hearts, and make their repentance more effectual.