Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 42
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 42 in the BibleGenesis 42:9
You are spies.
◦ To the same purpose he called them spies. After the manner of examiners calling suspected persons, as they may seem to be; thereby to try what they would answer. All for their wholesome penance, and withal to procure them afterwards more compassion among the Ægyptians. S. Aug. q. 139. super Gen.
- ◦ Joseph calleth his brothers spies for their good.
Genesis 42:15
By the health of Pharao.
[1] Joseph in swearing by Pharao's health, honoured God, the giver and conserver of health, life, power, dignity, and all that was in Pharao. Whereby we see that this manner of swearing was lawful. As now likewise Christians lawfully swear not only by God, but also by his creatures, saying: As God shall help them, and his holy Gospels: so it be with due circumstances and requisite conditions, namely with those which the Prophet Hieremie mentioneth [2], in truth, in judgement, and in justice: not false, rash, nor of an unjust thing: nor in frequent and common talk (a most bad custom) for so thou must neither swear by God himself, nor (as our Saviour teacheth) [3] by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by Hierusalem, nor by thy head, nor any thing else: signifying that in some case, and due manner we may swear by any of these. [4] And in this particular Joseph did rather name Pharao in his oath than God, as well to conceal himself as yet from his brethren, as to strike more terror in their hearts by naming his Master the King, in whom he had more interest than they.
- 1 It is lawful to swear by creatures.
- 2 Hier. 4.
- 3 Mat. 5.
- 4 In some case more convenient than to name God expressly.
Genesis 42:38
Unto hell.
◦ To that place where souls remain, as before chap. 37. v. 35. For this phrase, of bringing unto hell, and descending into hell, usually spoken in the old Testament, of all sorts of souls both just and wicked, signifieth that all went that time to hell, that is, to a low place, far distant from heaven: But some to rest, and some to pain. Whereupon S. Hierome saith: Hell is a place wherein souls are included, either in rest, or in pains, according to the quality of their deserts.
- ◦ Diverse mansions in hell.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Genesis 42:7
Somewhat roughly.
Joseph afflicted his brethren to bring them into consideration of their former faults, and to true contrition [1]. Without which, though injuries be remitted by men, yet the offenders are not absolved before God. Therefore he loving them and hating their sin, by affliction brought them to understanding. Who being at last truly penitent, he acknowledged and most lovingly embraced them, and provided for them in their necessity. S. Aug. ser. 82. de temp. And this example S. Gregory (ho. 22. in Ezech.) applieth to the instruction of Pastors of souls: that they procure true repentance before absolution of sins [2]: Ne si inordinate culpa dimittitur, is qui est culpabilis in reatu gravius astringatur: Lest, if the fault be disorderly remitted, he that is faulty be more grievously entangled in guilt of conscience: therefore with much discretion severity in shew, and clemency in mind are required.