Genesis 44:17

17 But he said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose hand the cup was found, he will become my slave. But as for you, go up 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 Then Joseph said to them, "What is this deed that you have done? Did you not know that a man who [is] like me surely practices divination?"

16 And Judah said, "What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? Now how can we show ourselves innocent? God has found the guilt of your servants! Behold, we [are] slaves to my lord, both we and also he in whose hand the cup was found."

17 But he said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose hand the cup was found, he will become my slave. But as for you, go up in peace to your father."

18 But Judah drew near to him and said, "Please my lord, let your servant speak a word in the ears of my lord, and {let not your anger burn} against your servant, for {you are like Pharaoh himself}.

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