Comments on Genesis 42

v21-22  The brothers do not know Joseph ended up being sold into
slavery, so they naturally assumed the worst.  The result is they
now are assuming they are cursed as a result of bringing about
Joseph's apparent death.  The irony is these events resulted in
both Joseph and his brothers being humbled.  Joseph is cured of
his brattiness and his brothers are chastened for their anger and
duplicity.  The adversity has softened the hearts of both
parties.

v24 "and took from them Simeon", why did Joseph take Simeon?  I
would guess that since Simeon is characterized as being a rather
mean guy at times (cf. 34:25, 49:5-7) that he was one of the
instigators when it came to picking on Joseph when they were
younger.



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