THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
They were once more distressed, fearing that this might also be used to condemn them further; upon reflecting on their conscience, they attributed everything to the wrongdoing they had done to Joseph.
Genesis 42:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And said to his brethren: My money is given me again; behold it is in the sack. And they were astonished, and troubled, and said to one another: What is this that God hath done unto us?
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֶל־אֶחָיו֙ הוּשַׁ֣ב כַּסְפִּ֔י וְגַ֖ם הִנֵּ֣ה בְאַמְתַּחְתִּ֑י וַיֵּצֵ֣א לִבָּ֗ם וַיֶּֽחֶרְד֞וּ אִ֤ישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מַה־זֹּ֛את עָשָׂ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים לָֽנוּ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ambrose of Milan
There exists a bread whose existence had not been previously acknowledged. This is the bread that the patriarchs bartered for; they arrived with silver, yet Joseph graciously provided them with the bread while returning their silver. In truth, Christ cannot be purchased with monetary means—He is received through grace. What is required is faith, through which heavenly gifts are acquired. The donkey bears this grain, which was once considered impure according to the Law, but has now been sanctified by Grace.
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
What has God accomplished on our behalf? This indicates that, simultaneously, everyone also discovered their treasure.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ps 61 (60):2
- Lam 2:17Ain. The Lord hath done that which he purposed, he hath fulfilled his word, which he commanded in the days of old: he hath destroyed, and hath not spared, and he hath caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, and hath set up the horn of thy adversaries.
- Gen 42:36Their father Jacob said: You have made me to be without children: Joseph is not living, Simeon is kept in bonds, and Benjamin you will take away: all these evils are fallen upon me.
- Lam 3:37Mem. Who is he that hath commanded a thing to be done, when the Lord commandeth it not?
- Luke 21:26Men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved.
- Gen 27:33Isaac was struck with fear, and astonished exceedingly; and wondering beyond what can be believed, said: Who is he then that even now brought me venison that he had taken, and I ate of all before thou camest? and I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed.
- Song 5:6I opened the bolt of my door to my beloved: but he had turned aside, and was gone. My soul melted when he spoke: I sought him, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me.
- Isa 45:7I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things.