Genesis 44
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Joseph commands his steward to put his cup secretly into Benjamin's sack, Gen 44:1, Gen 44:2. The sons of Jacob depart with the corn they had purchased, Gen 44:3. Joseph commands his steward to pursue them, and charge them with having stolen his cup, Gen 44:4-6. The brethren excuse themselves, protest their innocence, and offer to submit to be slaves should the cup be found with any of them, Gen 44:7-9. Search is made, and the cup is found in Benjamin's sack, Gen 44:10-12. They are brought back and submit themselves to Joseph, Gen 44:13-16. He determines that Benjamin alone, with whom the cup is found, shall remain in captivity, Gen 44:17. Judah, in a most affecting speech, pleads for Benjamin's enlargement, and offers himself to be a bondman in his stead, vv. 18-34.
Open source ↗POLICY TO STAY HIS BRETHREN. (Gen. 44:1-34) And Joseph commanded the steward--The design of putting the cup into the sack of Benjamin was obviously to bring that young man into a situation of difficulty or danger, in order thereby to discover how far the brotherly feelings of the rest would be roused to sympathize with his distress and stimulate their exertions in procuring his deliverance. But for what purpose was the money restored? It was done, in the first instance, from kindly feelings to his father; but another and further design seems to have been the prevention of any injurious impressions as to the character of Benjamin. The discovery of the cup in his possession, if there had been nothing else to judge by, might have fastened a painful suspicion of guilt on the youngest brother; but the sight of the money in each man's sack would lead all to the same conclusion, that Benjamin was just as innocent as themselves, although the additional circumstance of the cup being found in his sack would bring him into greater trouble and danger.
Open source ↗And he commanded the steward of his house,.... Whom the Targum of Jonathan again calls Manasseh, the eldest son of Joseph: saying, fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry; this he ordered out of his great affection for them, and that his father and his family might have sufficient supply in this time of famine: and put every man's money in his sack's mouth; not that which had been put into their sacks the first time, for the steward acknowledged his receipt of it, but what they had paid for their present corn, they were about to carry away.
Open source ↗The Test. - After the dinner Joseph had his brothers' sacks filled by his steward with corn, as much as they could hold, and every one's money placed inside; and in addition to that, had his own silver goblet put into Benjamin's sack.
Open source ↗Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself, after his corn was delivered to him. If Benjamin had stolen it, it had been the basest piece of dishonesty and ingratitude that could be and if Joseph, by ordering it to be there, had designed really to take advantage against him, it had been in him most horrid cruelty and oppression; but it proved, in the issue, that there was no harm done, nor any designed, on either side. Observe, I. How the pretended criminals were pursued and arrested, on suspicion of having stolen a silver cup. The steward charged them with ingratitude - rewarding evil for good; and with folly, in taking away a cup of daily use, and which therefore would soon be missed, and diligent search made for it; for so it may be read: Is not this it in which my lord drinketh (as having a particular fondness for it), and for which he would search thoroughly? Gen 44:5. Or, "By which, leaving it carelessly at your table, he would make trial whether you were honest men or no." II. How they pleaded for themselves. They solemnly protested their innocence, and detestation of so base a thing (Gen 44:7), urged it as an instance of their honesty that they had brought their money back (Gen 44:8), and offered to submit to the severest punishment if they should be found guilty, Gen 44:9, Gen 44:10. III. How the theft was fastened upon…
Open source ↗44:1-34 The brothers appeared to have changed; they had shown remorse over what they had done to Joseph, and they showed integrity in returning the money and in bringing Benjamin. Given a chance to get rid of Rachel’s other son, Benjamin, would they do it?
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אַמְתַּחַת (ʼamtachath, H572) — properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag אֹכֶל (ʼôkel, H400) — food אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… גְּבִיעַ (gᵉbîyaʻ, H1375) — a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of aflower כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money אַמְתַּחַת (ʼamtachath, H572) — properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… שֶׁבֶר (sheber, H7668) — grain (as if broken into kernels) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אוֹר (ʼôwr, H215) — to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red)
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) נָחַשׁ (nâchash, H5172) — properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate רָעַע (râʻaʻ, H7489) — properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֵלֶּה (ʼêl-leh, H428) — these or those דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָלִילָה (châlîylâh, H2486) — literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it! עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אַמְתַּחַת (ʼamtachath, H572) — properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him גָּנַב (gânab, H1589) — to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant נָקִי (nâqîy, H5355) — innocent
Open source ↗מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אַמְתַּחַת (ʼamtachath, H572) — properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
Open source ↗חָפַשׂ (châphas, H2664) — to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (i.e. let be sought), or mask חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… גְּבִיעַ (gᵉbîyaʻ, H1375) — a goblet; by analogy, the calyx of aflower מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אַמְתַּחַת (ʼamtachath, H572) — properly, something expansive, i.e. a bag
Open source ↗קָרַע (qâraʻ, H7167) — to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them) שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle עָמַס (ʻâmaç, H6006) — to load, i.e. impose aburden (or figuratively, infliction) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חֲמוֹר (chămôwr, H2543) — a male ass (from its dun red) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יוֹסֵף (Yôwçêph, H3130) — Joseph, the name of seven Israelites בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,
When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for they shall dine with me at noon.”
For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water,
So when Jacob’s sons had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”
So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.