JAcob saw] That is, heard, or understood, or as surely beleeved as if he had seen it, (though he had it but by report, vers. 2.) because the sight gives best assurance (for one eye-witnesse is of more credit then many eare-witnesses) therefore it is many times used for the notice that is taken, or comes in by hearing; as the people are said to see the thunderings, and the noise of the Trumpet, Exodus 20:18. and sometimes also for the knowledge of things by the other senses, as have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, Exodus 5:21. Savour is apprehended by the nose or palate, not by the eies. Yea, by reason also, or by faith; because many things are apprehended as assuredly by the light of reason, and evidence of faith, as if they were set before our eyes. corne] Heb. breaking. Why corne is called breaking, sundry Writers give severall reasons; some suppose it is called breaking because it breaketh hunger; some, for that it is broken, or taken off from the heape; some, because it is broken by the mill; and some, for that it is broken into divers parts, and distributed when it is sold; and so Sheber the Hebrew word here used (which some read breaking) signifieth buying and selling, Amos 8:5. Or, generally any act whereby distribution is made. Why doe ye look] Or, gaze: as men destitute of counsell, or so perplexed and amazed in mind as not knowing what to doe to be furnished with food against the famine; a grievous, and terrible affliction, when the violence is sometimes such as makes many like hungry dogs to feed upon abominable meats, and to pay a deare rate for them; as in the famine of Samaria an Asses head was sold for fourescore pieces of silver, and a little Pigeons dung for five pieces of silver, 2 Kings 6:25. (the Pigeons dung (as Josephus noteth) served in stead of salt, Joseph. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 2. pag. 227.) and sometimes it is so fierce that it makes the mother to use her teeth, instead of her lips to her owne child, to bite without pitie the infant which she was used to kisse, and instead of giving it suck, to let out the bloud of it, Deuteronomy 28. vers. 57. which hath beene done in a famine, not onely by some hard hearted mothers, but by such as were of a kind, and tender nature, as the Prophet Jeremie sheweth, The hands of the pitifull women have sodden their owne children, they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people, Lamentations 4:10. and they that have nothing besides themselves to offer up in sacrifice to this mercilesse tyrant famine, are made sometimes to be so fierce towards themselves as to eat the flesh off their owne armes, Isaiah 9:20. The consideration hereof may be a motive of thankfulnesse to God though but for scraps, or crums which fall from the Tables of the wealthy; and may be a Caveat against murmuring at ordinary wants, and against wanton abuse of Gods bounty, when he gives abundance: and Jacob and his family having their part in this common calamitie (which was also the lot of his father Isaac, and of his grandfather Abraham, Genesis 26:1.) may be remembred to warne even the best, and holiest, that they expect not a priviledge from the common crosses of this life, nor bee too much perplexed (as it seemes Jacobs sonnes were) when God giveth them occasion to exercise their faith, and patience in the like kind; for that which is famine to others shall be but a fast or more moderate diet unto them, for God their Father will so provide for them (as in this case he did) that in the dayes of famine they shall be satisfied, Psalms 37:19.