Why did they say "now, our flesh is like our brothers' flesh"?
Rashi: Now we are esteemed and of [proper] lineage like our rich brothers.
Ibn Ezra: Even though we borrowed from [our brothers], our flesh is like theirs, for it says "Lo Sihyeh Lo k'Nosheh 1 ."
Malbim: Last year was not a famine year. We borrowed in order to pay the king's tax. Now is a famine year; we need money for bread. It is proper that we eat, like our brothers!
I.e. a lender may not consider himself superior to the borrower. (PF)
Why did they say "our children are like their children"?
Rashi: Our brother's children are esteemed and of [proper] lineage - so our children have lineage!
Malbim: Also our children should not be slaves.
What is "Koveshim"?
Rashi: We will give our sons and daughters to others for our food.
Malbim: We must sell our children to be slaves, in order to get bread.
What do we learn from "v'Yesh mi'Benoseinu Nichbashos"?
Rashi: Some of our daughters are already enslaved to others.
Ibn Ezra: They keep our daughters forcibly.
Malbim: Some of our daughters were already sold to others for Shifchos. "Nichbashos" includes that they conduct (have Bi'ah) with them like Hefker - "ha'Gam Lichbosh Es ha'Malkah."
What is the meaning of "v'Ein l'El Yadenu"?
Rashi: We are not able to redeem our daughters.
Why did they say "our fields and vineyards are to others"?
