Genesis 44:13
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Then they all tore their clothes, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Test. - After the dinner Joseph had his brothers' sacks filled by his steward with corn, as much as they could hold, and every one's money placed inside; and in addition to that, had his own silver goblet put into Benjamin's sack.
Open source ↗Joseph, having entertained his brethren, dismissed them; but here we have them brought back in a greater fright than any they had been in yet. Observe, I. What method he took both to humble them further and also to try their affection to his brother Benjamin, by which he would be able to judge of the sincerity of their repentance for what they had done against himself, of which he was desirous to be satisfied before he manifested his reconciliation to them. This he contrived to do by bringing Benjamin into distress (v. 1-17). II. The good success of the experiment; he found them all heartily concerned, and Judah particularly, both for the safety of Benjamin and for the comfort of their aged father (Gen 44:18, etc.).
Open source ↗44:13 they tore their clothing in despair: They knew what it would do to Jacob to lose Benjamin (42:38).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same.
And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore her robe. And putting her hand on her head, she went away crying bitterly.
On the third day a man with torn clothes and dust on his head arrived from Saul’s camp. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him homage.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes