(25) To fill their sacks.--Heb., their vessels. The word includes all their means of transport, and probably they had come with materials sufficient for the removal of a large quantity of corn. They had sacks as well. So in Genesis 42:19, Joseph had commanded them to "carry corn for the famine of their houses." And as their households were numerous, what would nine sacks of corn avail for their maintenance?

To restore every man's money into his sack.--It is evident that each one had made his own separate purchase for his own household. The restoration of the money frightened Joseph's brethren, as they saw in it a pretext for their detention on their next visit. But Joseph could not have meant thus to alarm them, as their fear would act as an obstacle to their coming again accompanied by Benjamin. It is more likely that he intended it as an encouragement, and sign of secret good will.

Verse 25. - Then (literally, and) Joseph commanded to fill - literally, commanded, and they (i.e. Joseph's men) filled - their sacks (rather, vessels or receptacles, כְּלִי) with corn, and to restore every man's money (literally, the. dr pieces of silver, each) into his sack, - שַׂק, saccus, σάκος, σάκκος, sack (vide Genesis 37:34). Joseph "feels it impossible to bargain, with his father and his brethren for bread" (Baumgarten) - and to give them prevision for the way: and thus did he (literally, it was done) unto them.

42:25-28 The brethren came for corn, and corn they had: not only so, but every man had his money given back. Thus Christ, like Joseph, gives out supplies without money and without price. The poorest are invited to buy. But guilty consciences are apt to take good providences in a bad sense; to put wrong meanings even upon things that make for them.Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn,.... Which was as much as they came for:

and to restore every man's money into his sack; the money paid by each for his quantity of corn delivered to him, not into the person's hands, but to be put into his sack privately, and unknown to him:

and to give them provision for the way; sufficient both for themselves and for their cattle, that they might carry the whole of what corn they bought to their families:

and thus did he unto them; that is, not Joseph, but his steward or deputy, or however the servant that he gave the above order to.