THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Their thoughts became obscured. "And they tore their clothes, and putting on their garments again they returned to the city."
Genesis 44:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
Then they rent their garments, and loading their asses again, returned into the town.
וֽ͏ַיִּקְרְע֖וּ שִׂמְלֹתָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲמֹס֙ אִ֣ישׁ עַל־חֲמֹר֔וֹ וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הָעִֽירָה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Ephraem the Syrian
Joseph’s brothers found themselves at a loss for words. They instinctively sought to blame Benjamin since the cup had been discovered within his robe, yet they could not bring themselves to condemn him, recalling that silver had earlier been hidden in their own garments. Filled with dread over their predicament, they tore their clothes and returned with tears to the house, having left with joy. Upon witnessing this, they rent their garments, lashing out at Rachel and her family, including her mother and brother Joseph, exclaiming, “You have become a snare to our father, you Rachel’s children. Joseph desired to rule over us, but you, his brother, have brought us to disgrace. Are you not the offspring of Rachel, who took her father’s idols and claimed she had not stolen them?”
Read more (204 words)
In distress, Benjamin raised his voice, mourning and lamenting for his brothers, and he testified to them, saying, “The God of our ancestors is fully aware of our situation. He took Rachel to Himself at His chosen time; He knows the fate of our beloved Joseph. He observes Jacob in his mourning, providing him invisible comfort through means only He understands. He sees into our hearts and innermost thoughts; He knows that I did not take this cup, nor did I desire it. I long to see the revered gray hairs of Jacob, to joyfully kiss his knees, and I did not steal this cup! Alas for me, alas for Rachel, what has happened to her children? Joseph, the beloved one, was said to have been slain by beasts, yet here I stand—mother's son—mysteriously branded a thief, knowing not how I arrived in this predicament. I remain enslaved in a foreign land. Joseph cried out in the wilderness, yearning for a savior, yet found no one to deliver him. Here I am, dear mother, attempting to assure my brothers, yet no one listens, and no one believes your son.” With heavy hearts, they then returned to the city to Joseph, unable to defend themselves.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 2 Sam 1:11Then David took hold of his garments and rent them, and likewise all the men that were with him.
- 2 Sam 1:2And on the third day, there appeared a man who came out of Saul's camp, with his garments rent, and dust strewed on his head: and when he came to David, he fell upon his face, and adored.
- Gen 37:29And Ruben returning to the pit, found not the boy:
- Gen 37:34And tearing his garments, he put on sackcloth, mourning for his son a long time.
- 2 Sam 13:19And she put ashes on her head, and rent her long robe and laid her hands upon her head, and went on crying.
- Num 14:6But Josue the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephone, who themselves also had viewed the land, rent their garments,