by the life of Pharaoh] Some read, Pharaoh liveth, some, let Pharaoh live, or, (which is the meaning) as Pharaoh liveth; Hebr. the lives of Pharaoh; if the words be rendred, Pharaoh liveth, or, let Pharaoh live, or, (which is the same in effect) as Pharaoh liveth, the sense may be, as truly as Pharaoh liveth ye shall not goe hence, as Ezekiel 33:11. As I live (saith the Lord) [I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked] So also, 1 Samuel 1:26. &Chap. 17. vers. 55. If [the lives of Pharaoh,] the meaning is, by the life, or, lives of Pharaoh, (of which expression in the plurall number, see Annot. on Chap. 2. vers. 7.) and so we may conceive Joseph had got a taint of the Courtiers language, which was to honour, and flatter the King, by taking his name into their attestations; so in after ages, it was the manner to sweare by the life or genius of the Emperour: a sinne which God hath forbidden, as a great dishonour to himselfe, Deuteronomy 6:13. compared with Matthew 4:10. so great, as if it were uncapable of pardon, Jer. 5. vers. 7. ye shall not goe hence] That is, ye shall not all goe hence. Hebr. if ye shall goe hence; the words are suspensive, where the later part, which is implicitely a curse, is forborne; the sentence made out may be, if ye goe hence, let me be punished, or, I will be punished for you. See Annot. on Genesis 14:23.