Genesis 44:17

17 Then Joseph said, "I swear that I will not do this. The man in whose possession the cup was found will be my slave. The rest of you can go in peace to your father."

Genesis 44:17 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:17

And he said, God forbid that I should do so
This would be doing an unjust thing, Joseph suggests, should he take them all for bondmen, for the offence of one: [but] the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant;
not die, as they had supposed, but become his servant: and as for you, get ye up in peace unto your father;
they had leave, yea, an order to return to their father in the land of Canaan, with their corn and cattle, in peace and plenty; there being no charge against them, nor would any hurt or damage come to them: this Joseph said to try their affection to their brother Benjamin, and see whether they would leave him to distress, and then he should know better how to conduct both towards him and them.

Genesis 44:17 In-Context

15 "What is this you have done?" Joseph said to them. "Didn't you know that a man like me could uncover the truth by divination?"

16 "What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed your servants' iniquity. We are now my lord's slaves-both we and the one in whose possession the cup was found."

17 Then Joseph said, "I swear that I will not do this. The man in whose possession the cup was found will be my slave. The rest of you can go in peace to your father."

18 But Judah approached him and said, "Sir, please let your servant speak personally to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, for you are like Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'