Genesis 44:1-7

Joseph tests his brothers

1 Joseph gave commands to his household manager: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they'll hold, and put each man's silver at the top of his sack.

2 Put my cup, the silver cup, on top of the youngest brother's sack, together with the silver for his grain." So he did just as Joseph told him to do.

3 At dawn, the men and their donkeys were sent off.

4 They had left the city but hadn't gone far when Joseph said to his household manager, "Get ready, go after the men and catch up with them! Ask them, ‘Why have you repaid hospitality with ingratitude?

5 Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and uses to discover God's plans? What you've done is despicable.'"

6 When he caught up to them, he repeated these words.

7 They replied, "Why does my master talk to us like this? Your servants would never do such a thing.

Read Chapter Compare

Genesis 44:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 44

This chapter relates the policy of Joseph in making an experiment of his brethren's regard and affection for Benjamin; he ordered his steward to put every man's money into his sack, and his silver cup in Benjamin's, and when they were got out of the city, to follow after them, and charge them with the theft, as he did; and having searched their sacks, as they desired he would, found the cup with Benjamin, which threw them into the utmost distress, and obliged them to return to Joseph, Ge 44:1-14; who charged them with their ill behaviour towards him; they acknowledge it, and propose to be his servants; but he orders them to depart to their father, retaining Benjamin in servitude, Ge 44:15-17; upon which Judah addressed him in a very polite and affectionate manner, and relates the whole story, both of what passed between Joseph and them, concerning Benjamin, the first time they were in Egypt, and between their father and them upon the same subject, when he directed them to go a second time thither to buy corn, and how he became a surety to his father for him, and therefore proposed to be his bondman now, not being able to see his father's face without Benjamin, Ge 44:18-34.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Videos for Genesis 44:1-7

What Does the Life of Joseph Teach Us about Trusting God?

Footnotes 3

[a]. LXX adds Why have you stolen my silver cup?
[b]. Syr; MT lacks cup.
[c]. Or uses for divination