Genesis 45:22 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred [pieces] of silver, and five changes of raiment.

Ver. 22. But to Benjamin he gave, &c.] God gives his best blessings to his Benjamins. "He is the Saviour of all men, but specially of them that believe." 1Ti 4:10 "The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind, the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down"; - these are common favours: but behold a better thing; - "the Lord loveth the righteous." Psa 146:8 This is more than all the rest. Outward things God gives to the wicked also, but as Joseph put his cup into their sack to pick a quarrel with them; or at best, as he gave them here change of raiment, to show his general love to them: but three hundred silverlings and five suits none but a Benjamin shall have the honour and favour of. Artabazus, in Xenophon, complained, when Cyrus had given him a cup of gold, and Chrysantas a kiss, in token of his special respect and love, saying, that the cup that he gave him was not so good gold as the kiss that he gave Chrysantas. When David said to Ziba, "All is thine that pertained to Mephibosheth"; Ziba answereth, "I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight." 2Sa 16:4 As who should say, I had rather have the king's favour than the lands. Valde protestatus sum, said Luther, me nolle sic ab eo satiari. He would not be put off with lands and large offers. And Moses would not hear of an angel to go along with them. He would have God himself, or none. Exo 33:12-17 The blessings that come "out of Sion," are choice, peculiar, even above any that come out of "heaven and earth." Psa 134:3

Genesis 45:22

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.