Genesis 45:24

So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) See that ye fall not out by the way.—Heb., do not get angry on the journey. Joseph feared that they might reproach one another for their treatment of him, and try to throw the blame on the one or two chiefly guilty, and that so quarrels might ensue. This is the meaning given to the passage in all the versions, and agrees with Joseph’s efforts to quiet their fears, and convince them of his good intentions. Several modern commentators, however, translate “Be not afraid of the journey,” but on insufficient grounds.

Benson Commentary

Genesis 45:24. See that ye fall not out by the way — He knew that they were but too apt to be quarrelsome; and that what had lately passed, as it revived the remembrance of what they had done formerly against their brother, might give them occasion to quarrel. Now Joseph, having forgiven them all, lays this obligation upon them, not to upbraid one another. This charge our Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, that we live in peace, that whatever occurs, or whatever former occurrences are remembered, we fall not out. For, 1st, We are brethren; we have all one Father. 2d, We are his brethren; and we shame our relation to him, who is our peace, if we fall out. 3d, We are all guilty, verily guilty, and, instead of quarrelling with one another, have a great deal of reason to fall out with ourselves. 4th, We are forgiven of God, whom we have all offended, and therefore should be ready to forgive one another. 5th, We are by the way, a way that lies through the land of Egypt, where we have many eyes upon us, that seek occasion and advantage against us; a way that leads to Canaan, where we hope to be for ever in perfect peace.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

45:16-24 Pharaoh was kind to Joseph, and to his relations for his sake. Egypt would make up the losses of their removal. Thus those for whom Christ intends his heavenly glory, ought not to regard the things of this world. The best of its enjoyments are but lumber; we cannot make sure of them while here, much less can we carry them away with us. Let us not set our eyes or hearts upon the world; there are better things for us in that blessed land, whither Christ, our Joseph, is gone to prepare a place. Joseph dismissed his brethren with a seasonable caution, See that ye fall not out by the way. He knew they were too apt to be quarrelsome; and having forgiven them all, he lays this charge upon them, not to upbraid one another. This command our Lord Jesus has given to us, that we love one another, and that whatever happens, or has happened, we fall not out. For we are brethren, we have all one Father. We are all guilty, and instead of quarrelling with one another, have reason to fall out with ourselves. We are, or hope to be, forgiven of God, whom we have all offended, and, therefore, should be ready to forgive one another. We are by the way, a way through the land of Egypt, where we have many eyes upon us, that seek advantage against us; a way that leads to the heavenly Canaan, where we hope to be for ever in perfect peace.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The brothers joyfully accept the hospitable invitation of Pharaoh, and set about the necessary arrangements for their journey. "The sons of Israel;" including Joseph, who had his own part to perform in the proposed arrangement. "At the mouth of Pharaoh;" as he had authorized him to do. "Changes of raiment;" fine raiment for change on a high or happy day. To Benjamin he gives special marks of fraternal affection, which no longer excite any jealous feeling among the brothers, as the reasonableness of them is obvious. "Fall out." The original word means to be stirred by any passion, whether fear or anger, and interpreters explain it as they conceive the circumstances and the context require. The English version corresponds with the Septuagint ὀργίζεσθε orgizesthe and with Onkelos. It refers, perhaps, to the little flashes of heat, impatience, and contention that are accustomed to disturb the harmony of companions in the East, who behave sometimes like overgrown children. Such ebullitions often lead to disastrous consequences. Joseph's exile arose from petty jealousies among brethren.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

24. so he sent his brethren away—In dismissing them on their homeward journey, he gave them this particular admonition:

See that ye fall not out by the way—a caution that would be greatly needed; for not only during the journey would they be occupied in recalling the parts they had respectively acted in the events that led to Joseph's being sold into Egypt, but their wickedness would soon have to come to the knowledge of their venerable father.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Or contend one with another, each vindicating himself, and laying the blame upon his brother.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

So he sent his brethren away, and they departed,.... From Egypt to Canaan with the wagons, asses, and rich presents:

and he said unto them, see that ye fall not out by the way; the Targum of Jonathan adds, about the affair of selling me; which he had reason to fear they would, from what they, and particularly Reuben, had said in his presence, Genesis 42:21; he was jealous this would be the subject of their discourse by the way, and that they would be blaming one another about it, and so fall into contentions and quarrels; that one would say it was owing to the reports of such an one concerning him, that they entertained hatred against him; that it was such an one that advised to kill him, and such an one that stripped him of his clothes, and such an one that put him into the pit, and such an one that was the cause of his being sold; and thus shifting of things from one to another, and aggravating each other's concern in this matter, they might stir up and provoke one another to wrath and anger, as the word used signifies, which might have a bad issue; to prevent which Joseph gives them this kind and good advice; and especially there was the more reason to attend to it, since he was reconciled unto them, and was desirous the whole should be buried in oblivion.

Geneva Study Bible

So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye {g} fall not out by the way.

(g) Seeing he had remitted the fault done to him, he did not want them to accuse one another.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

24. See that ye fall not out] The precise meaning of Joseph’s parting words has sometimes been misunderstood. The Heb. word which he uses is not common. It occurs in Psalm 4:4, “Stand in awe” (R.V. marg. be ye angry). So here LXX μὴ ὀργίζεσθε; Lat. ne irascamini. The meaning then will be, “do not get excited, quarrel not, and dispute not” with one another about the degree of your guilt in your treatment of me. Cf. Reuben’s reproaches in Genesis 42:22. The suggestion that he warns them against being indignant at the especial favours and gifts lavished upon Benjamin is not probable. A different rendering, “be not alarmed,” in the sense of “do not give way to the fear that I am nursing my revenge and am meditating an outbreak of wrath against you at a later time,” is hardly warranted, either by the use of the verb or by the context. But see Genesis 50:15-21.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - So (literally, and) he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way. The verb רָגַן signifies to be moved or disturbed with any violent emotion, but in particular with anger (Proverbs 29:9; Isaiah 28:21; cf. Sanser. rag, to move oneself, Gr. ὀργή, anger, Lat. frango, Gerregen), and is here generally understood as an admonition against quarrelling (LXX., μὴ οργιζεσθε; Vulgate, ne irascimini) (Calvin, Dathius, Rosenmüller, Keil, Mur phy, Lange, Alford, et alii), although by others (Tuch, Baumgarten, Michaelis, Gesenius, Kalisch) it is regarded as a dissuasive against fear of any future plot on the part of Joseph. Genesis 45:24

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The sons of Israel carried out the instructions of Joseph and the invitation of Pharaoh (Genesis 45:25-27). But Joseph not only sent carriages according to Pharaoh's directions, and food for the journey, he also gave them presents, changes of raiment, a suit for every one, and five suits for Benjamin, as well as 300 shekels of silver. שׂמלות חלפות: change of clothes, clothes to change; i.e., dress clothes which were worn on special occasions and frequently changed (Judges 13:12-13, Judges 13:19; 2 Kings 5:5). "And to his father he sent like these;" i.e., not changes of clothes, but presents also, viz., ten asses "carrying of the good of Egypt," and ten she-asses with corn and provisions for the journey; and sent them off with the injunction: אל־תּרגּזוּ :noitcnu, μὴ ὀργἱζεσθε (lxx), "do not get angry by the way." Placatus erat Joseph fratribus, simul eos admonet, ne quid turbarum moveant. Timendum enim erat, ne quisque se purgando crimen transferre in alios studeret atque its surgeret contentio (Calvin).