Verse 9. Ye are spies] µta µylgrm meraggelim attem, ye are footmen, trampers about, footpads, vagabonds, lying in wait for the property of others; persons who, under the pretense of wishing to buy corn, desire only to find out whether the land be so defenceless that the tribes to which ye belong (see ver. 11) may attack it successfully, drive out the inhabitants, and settle in it themselves; or, having plundered it, retire to their deserts. This is a frequentcustom among the Arabs to the present day. Thus Joseph spake roughly to them merely to cover that warmth of affection which he felt towards them; and that being thus brought, apparently, into straits and dangerous circumstances, their consciences might be awakened to reflect on and abhor their own wickedness.
Verses 7-20 - Joseph was hard upon his brethren, not from a spirit of revenge, but to bring them to repentance. Not seeing his brotherBenjamin, he suspecte that they had made away with him, and he gave them occasion to speak of their father and brother. God, in his providence, sometimes seems hars with those he loves, and speaks roughly to those for whom yet he ha great mercy in store. Joseph settled at last, that one of them shoul be left, and the rest go home and fetch Benjamin. It was a very encouraging word he said to them, "I fearGod;" as if he had said, Yo may be assured I will do you no wrong; I dare not, for I know there is one higher than I. With those that fearGod, we may expect fai dealing.
