sent messes to them] Heb. he elevated elevations from his faces unto them. The meaning is, that the meat was set before Joseph and he distributed what he thought good unto the Guests; the Hebrews call the messes elevations, because they were carried up on high for honour sake; and from his faces; that is, of the meats that were et before his face, the plurall number put for the singular. Benjamins messe] The manner of those times and Countreys was not, as with us, to serve in dishes, as in common, whereof those that sat at Table might indifferently partake, but every one had his portion distributed to him by himselfe: some take this not for the whole meale, but that towards the end of it, some parcels of banquetting-stuffe were distributed to Josephs brethren, and that in them Benjamin had five times as much as the rest. five times so much] In Hebrew it is five hands, for five parts: for gifts or parts are called hands, or handfuls, because they are given and taken with the hand. He sheweth so much more respect to Benjamin then any of the rest, because he onely was his brother both by the fathers, and mothers side; so did Elkanah by a better portion to Hannah shew that he preferred her before Peninnah, 1 Samuel 1:4-5. dranke, and were merry] Sometimes the word here used signifieth to be drunken, but here it is meant but of a free use of drinke; for chearfulnesse, not for excesse, as Son 5:1. So is the Greek word, John 2:10.