he spake unto them by a interpreter. Heb. an interpreter was between them. The {mailitz} does not seem to have been an interpreter in our sense of the term; as we have many evidences in this book that the Egyptians, Hebrews, Canaanites, and Syrians, could understand each other in a general way; and it appears from several passages in this very chapter, (particularly ver.

Genesis 42:24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon...

,) that Joseph and his brethren understood each others' language, as his brethren and Joseph's steward also did (ch.

Genesis 43:19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

, etc; compare ch.

39;

49.) It seems to denote an officer who is called in Abyssinia, according to Mr. Bruce, {Kal Hatz?,} the voice or word of the king, who always stands at the side of a lattice window of a balcony, within which the king sits; who is never seen, but who speaks through a hole in the side of it, covered in the inside with a curtain, to this officer, by whom he speaks to the persons present.

John 16:13,14 However, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself...

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be you reconciled to God.