Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 2. He took some of his brethren] There is something very strange in the original; literally translated it signifies ""from the end or extremity ( hxqm miktseh) of his brethren he took five men."" This has been understood six different ways. 1. Joseph took five of his brethren that came first to hand - at random, without design or choice. 2. Joseph took five of the meanest-looking of his brethren to present before Pharaoh, fearing if he had taken the sightliest that Pharaoh would detain them for his service, whereby their religion and morals might be corrupted. 3. Joseph took five of the best made and finest-looking of his brethren, and presented them before Pharaoh, wishing to impress his mind with a favourable opinion of the family which he had just now brought into Egypt, and to do himself honour. 4. Joseph took five of the youngest of his brethren. 5. He took five of the eldest of his brethren. 6. He took five from the extremity or end of his brethren, i. e., some of the eldest and some of the youngest, viz., Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, and Benjamin. - Rab. Solomon. It is certain that in Judg. xviii. 2, the word may be understood as implying dignity, valor, excellence, and pre-eminence: And the children of Dan sent of their family FIVE men µtwxqm miktsotham, not from their coasts, but of the most eminent or excellent they had; and it is probable they might have had their eye on what Joseph did here when they made their choice, choosing the same number, five, and of their principal men, as did Joseph, because the mission was important, to go and search out the land. But the word may be understood simply as signifying some; out of the whole of his brethren he took only five men, &c.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Though Joseph was a great man, especially in Egypt, yet he owned his brethren. Let the rich and great in the world not overlook or despis poor relations. Our Lord Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren. I answer to Pharaoh's inquiry, What is your calling? they told him tha they were shepherds, adding that they were come to sojourn in the lan for a time, while the famine prevailed in Canaan. Pharaoh offered to employ them as shepherds, provided they were active men. Whatever ou business or employment is, we should aim to excel in it, and to prove ourselves clever and industrious.
Original Hebrew ומקצה7097 אחיו251 לקח3947 חמשׁה2568 אנשׁים582 ויצגם3322 לפני6440 פרעה׃6547
