34. took and sent messes . . . Benjamin's mess was five
times--In Egypt, as in other Oriental countries, there were, and
are, two modes of paying attention to a guest whom the host wishes to
honor--either by giving a choice piece from his own hand, or ordering
it to be taken to the stranger. The degree of respect shown consists in
the quantity, and while the ordinary rule of distinction is a double
mess, it must have appeared a very distinguished mark of favor bestowed
on Benjamin to have no less than five times any of his brethren.
they drank, and were merry with him--Hebrew, "drank
freely" (same as
So 5:1;
Joh 2:10).
In all these cases the idea of intemperance is excluded. The painful
anxieties and cares of Joseph's brethren were dispelled, and they were
at ease.
JFB.
Outline
1 Jacob is persuaded by his sons to send Benjamin
15 Joseph speaks with his brethren
31 Joseph makes his brothers a feast
Map of the Journeys of Abraham
The Journeys of Abram and Lot
Quick Reference Map
Map of the Nile River and Egypt
Ancient Customs
Famine
balm
honey
spices
myrrh
nuts
almonds
the inn
made obeisance
EGYPTIAN MODE OF DINING
POSITION OF GUESTS AT TABLE
MODE OF DISTRIBUTING FOOD
Ancient Topics
God Almighty
Ancient People
Jacob, Benjamin, Joseph, Simeon, Judah, steward
Egyptians
Geography
Egypt
The land of Canaan
The Old Testament
Genesis Resources
Creation
Adam and Eve
The
Flood
The Tower of Babel
Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
Jacob
and the 12 Tribes
Joseph
and Egypt