Genesis 45:18

And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

45:16-24 Pharaoh was kind to Joseph, and to his relations for his sake. Egypt would make up the losses of their removal. Thus those for whom Christ intends his heavenly glory, ought not to regard the things of this world. The best of its enjoyments are but lumber; we cannot make sure of them while here, much less can we carry them away with us. Let us not set our eyes or hearts upon the world; there are better things for us in that blessed land, whither Christ, our Joseph, is gone to prepare a place. Joseph dismissed his brethren with a seasonable caution, See that ye fall not out by the way. He knew they were too apt to be quarrelsome; and having forgiven them all, he lays this charge upon them, not to upbraid one another. This command our Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, and that whatever happens, or has happened, we fall not out. For we are brethren, we have all one Father. We are all guilty, and instead of quarrelling with one another, have reason to fall out with ourselves. We are, or hope to be, forgiven of God, whom we have all offended, and, therefore, should be ready to forgive one another. We are by the way, a way through the land of Egypt, where we have many eyes upon us, that seek advantage against us; a way that leads to the heavenly Canaan, where we hope to be for ever in perfect peace.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The intelligence that Joseph's brethren are come reaches the ears of Pharaoh, and calls forth a cordial invitation to come and settle in Egypt. "It was good in the eyes of Pharaoh." They highly esteemed Joseph on his own account; and that he should prove to be a member of a respectable family, and have the pleasure of again meeting with his nearest relatives, were circumstances that afforded them a real gratification. "The good of the land of Mizraim." The good which it produces. Wagons; two-wheeled cars, fit for driving over the rough country, where roads were not formed. "Let not your eye care for your stuff;" your houses, or pieces of furniture which must be left behind. The family of Jacob thus come to Egypt, not by conquest or purchase, but by hospitable invitation, as free, independent visitors or settlers. As they were free to come or not, so were they free to stay or leave.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

17-20. Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren—As Joseph might have been prevented by delicacy, the king himself invited the patriarch and all his family to migrate into Egypt; and he made most liberal arrangements for their removal and their subsequent settlement. It displays the character of this Pharaoh to advantage, that he was so kind to the relatives of Joseph; but indeed the greatest liberality he could show could never recompense the services of so great a benefactor of his kingdom.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The choicest fruits of the land.

Fat oft is put for the best of my sort, as Numbers 18:12,29 Deu 32:14 Psalm 63:5 147:14.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And take your father, and your households,.... Or families, for they were all married persons, and had children, and no doubt servants also: all were to be brought with them:

and come unto me; into his kingdom, to his metropolis, and to his palace, and into his presence:

and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt; the best things which it affords, and the best and most fruitful part of it, as he afterwards did, which was the land of Goshen:

and ye shall eat the fat of the land; the choicest fruits of the earth, such as were produced in fields and gardens; meaning that they should have the finest of the wheat for themselves, and the fattest pastures for their flocks.

Geneva Study Bible

And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the {e} good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the {f} fat of the land.

(e) The most plentiful ground.

(f) The main fruits and conveniences.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

18. the good of the land] Cf. Genesis 45:20; Genesis 45:23; 2 Kings 8:9, with the meaning of “the best produce.” The second clause repeats the same thought, in different imagery. Joseph promises the best that Egypt can give. Cf. Numbers 18:12; Numbers 18:30; Numbers 18:32, “best,” Heb. “fat.”

Genesis 45:18

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Invitation to Jacob to Come into Egypt. - Genesis 45:16. The report of the arrival of Joseph's brethren soon found it sway into the palace, and made so favourable an impression upon Pharaoh and his courtiers, that the king sent a message through Joseph to his brethren to come with their father and their families ("your houses") into Egypt, saying that he would give them "the good of the land of Egypt," and they should eat "the fat of the land." טוּב, "the good," is not the best part, but the good things (produce) of the land, as in Genesis 45:20, Genesis 45:23, Genesis 24:10; 2 Kings 8:9. חלב, fat, i.e., the finest productions.