So he consented to them in all this matter,.... Or, "hearkened to them" e; being convinced that it was a very reasonable request, and the matter was fairly put; and especially as he saw, if it succeeded to their wish, it would be to his profit; since the meat and drink of these four persons would be his perquisite, and fetch him money; pulse and water being to be obtained at an easy rate:
and proved them ten days; tried the experiment, by giving them pulse and water only during this time, in order to see how it would agree with them; and whether any visible alteration could be discerned in their countenances, so as to bring him or his master into suspicion and danger.
e וישמע להם "auscultans eis", Junius Tremellius, Broughtonus "auscultavit eis", Pisator, Cocceius.