THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
In extending his grace towards them, he instructs, ‘Prepare the meal.’
Genesis 43:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And when he had washed his face, coming out again, he refrained himself, and said: Set bread on the table.
וַיִּרְחַ֥ץ פָּנָ֖יו וַיֵּצֵ֑א וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שִׂ֥ימוּ לָֽחֶם׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Having mourned deeply in the chamber and cleansed his face, he emerged filled with joy; he instructed that everyone be gathered in the house to partake in a feast with him.
Vissarion (Nechaev)
Joseph's emotional turmoil, intensified by the sight of his brother whom he had not seen in many years, reached a peak. He realized that he could no longer maintain the calm demeanor he had previously displayed, and tears began to well up in his eyes. To mask his distress, he quickly withdrew to a private room, ostensibly to attend to an urgent matter, and there he wept alone, free from anyone witnessing his vulnerability. Once he regained his composure, he washed away his tears and returned to his brothers with the same calm and restraint he had shown earlier. The account continues with the meal that Joseph provided for his brothers.
Read more (214 words)
Following the meal, Joseph instructed his servants to secretly place grain in their sacks, as well as the money they had used to purchase the grain, and also to hide a silver cup in Benjamin's sack before sending them on their way. After the brothers had departed, Joseph's steward, following his orders, caught up with them, accused them of theft regarding the cup, searched their belongings, and discovered the item in Benjamin’s possession, bringing them all back to Joseph. Bowing down before Joseph, the brothers expressed their despair, with Judah speaking on their behalf: ‘Though we are innocent of stealing the cup, God is punishing us for our previous misdeeds; look, we are now slaves to our master, including the one found with the cup.’ Yet Joseph responded: ‘The one found with the cup will be my servant, but you may return safely to your father.’ Judah then approached Joseph and declared: ‘We mentioned to you previously that our father is aged and dearly loves this son more than the others; if he learns that the boy is missing, it will surely break his heart. Additionally, I have pledged to take responsibility for the boy on behalf of my father.’ The subsequent actions that followed Judah's plea further elaborate on the matter at hand.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 45:1Joseph could no longer refrain himself before many that stood by: whereupon he commanded that all should go out, and no stranger be present at their knowing one another.
- 1 Pet 3:10For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
- Isa 42:14I have always held my peace, I have kept silence, I have been patient, I will speak now as a woman in labour: I will destroy, and swallow up at once.
- Jer 31:16Thus saith the Lord: Let thy voice cease from weeping, and thy eyes tears: for there is a reward for thy work, saith the Lord: and they shall return out of the land of the enemy.