Genesis 45:20

20 and your eye hath no pity on your vessels, for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours.'

Genesis 45:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 45:20

Also regard not your stuff
Or "your vessels" F7, utensils, household goods; he would not have them to be concerned if they could not bring all their goods with them, but were obliged to leave some behind, and which, because of the distance of the way and difficulty of the road, lying through sandy deserts, could not well be brought, since there was enough to be had in the land of Egypt; therefore, as it may be rendered, "let not your eye spare" F8, or "pity": do not be grieved at it, or say it is a pity to leave these good things behind. Some render and explain the words just the reverse, "leave nothing of your household goods" F9; bring all away with you, as if he would not have them think of returning again, but of settling and continuing in Egypt; but this does not so well agree with what follows as the former sense does: for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours:
whatever good things were in it, whether for food or use for themselves, their houses, or their flocks, all were at their service, and they were welcome to them; or the best or most fruitful part of the country was designed for them, and would be given to them, or was at their option.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Mkylk le) "vasis vestris", Fagius, Drusius, "supellectilibus vestris", Pagninus, Schmidt; "propter vestra supellectilia", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F8 (oxt la Mknye) "oculus vester non parcat", Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Drusius, Schmidt.
F9 "Nee dimittatis quicquam de supellectili vestra", V. L. so Mercerus.

Genesis 45:20 In-Context

18 and take your father, and your households, and come unto me, and I give to you the good of the land of Egypt, and eat ye the fat of the land.
19 `Yea, thou -- thou hast been commanded: this do ye, take for yourselves out of the land of Egypt, waggons for your infants, and for your wives, and ye have brought your father, and come;
20 and your eye hath no pity on your vessels, for the good of all the land of Egypt [is] yours.'
21 And the sons of Israel do so, and Joseph giveth waggons to them by the command of Pharaoh, and he giveth to them provision for the way;
22 to all of them hath he given -- to each changes of garments, and to Benjamin he hath given three hundred silverlings, and five changes of garments;
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.