Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. He hath made me a father to Pharaoh] It has already been conjectured that father was a name of office in Egypt, and that father of Pharaoh might among them signify the same as prime minister or the king's minister does among us. Calmet has remarked that among the Phoenicians, Persians, Arabians, and Romans, the title of father was given to certain officers of state. The Roman emperors gave the name of father to the prefects of the Praetorium, as appears by the letters of Constantine to Ablavius. The caliphs gave the same name to their prime ministers. In Judg. xvii. 10, Micah says to the young Levite, Dwell with me, and be unto me a FATHER and a priest. And Diodourus Siculus remarks that the teachers and counsellors of the kings of Egypt were chosen out of the priesthood.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-15 - Joseph let Judah go on, and heard all he had to say. He found his brethren humbled for their sins, mindful of himself, for Judah ha mentioned him twice in his speech, respectful to their father, and very tender of their brother Benjamin. Now they were ripe for the comfort he designed, by making himself known. Joseph ordered all his attendants to withdraw. Thus Christ makes himself and his loving-kindness known to his people, out of the sight and hearing of the world. Joseph she tears of tenderness and strong affection, and with these threw off tha austerity with which he had hitherto behaved toward his brethren. Thi represents the Divine compassion toward returning penitents. "I am Joseph, your brother." This would humble them yet more for their sin in selling him, but would encourage them to hope for kind treatment. Thus when Christ would convince Paul, he said, I am Jesus; and when he woul comfort his disciples, he said, It is I, be not afraid. When Chris manifests himself to his people, he encourages them to draw near to his with a true heart. Joseph does so, and shows them, that whatever the thought to do against him, God had brought good out of it. Sinners mus grieve and be angry with themselves for their sins, though God bring good out of it, for that is no thanks to them. The agreement betwee all this, and the case of a sinner, on Christ's manifesting himself to his soul, is very striking. He does not, on this account, think sin less, but a greater evil; and yet he is so armed against despair, a even to rejoice in what God hath wrought, while he trembles in thinkin of the dangers and destruction from which he has escaped. Josep promises to take care of his father and all the family. It is the duty of children, if the necessity of their parents at any time require it to support and supply them to the utmost of their ability; this is showing piety at home, 1Ti 5:4. After Joseph had embraced Benjamin, he caressed them all, and then his brethren talked with him freely of all the affairs of their father's house. After the tokens of tru reconciliation with the Lord Jesus, sweet communion with him follows.
Original Hebrew ועתה6258 לא3808 אתם859 שׁלחתם7971 אתי853 הנה2008 כי3588 האלהים430 וישׂימני7760 לאב1 לפרעה6547 ולאדון113 לכל3605 ביתו1004 ומשׁל4910 בכל3605 ארץ776 מצרים׃4714
