And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
Ver. 24. And wept; and returned, &c.] The better any one is, the more inclined to weeping; as David, than Jonathan. 1Sa 20:41
“Nam faciles motus mens generosa capit.”
Paulus non tam atramento quam lachrymis chartas inficiebat, saith Lorinus.
And took from them Simeon, and bound him.] He is thought to have been the chief doer in the sale of Joseph; and is therefore singled out for punishment. Judas Iscariot is said to come of his tribe. Of a turbulent and restless spirit Joseph knew him to be; and therefore detained him, saith Musculus, lest he should have hindered the motion of bringing down Benjamin.