Genesi 44:1-6

1 Giuseppe dette quest’ordine al suo maestro di casa: "Riempi i sacchi di questi uomini di tanti viveri quanti ne posson portare, e metti il danaro di ciascun d’essi alla bocca del suo sacco.

2 E metti la mia coppa, la coppa d’argento, alla bocca del sacco del più giovine, assieme al danaro del suo grano". Ed egli fece come Giuseppe avea detto.

3 La mattina, non appena fu giorno, quegli uomini furon fatti partire coi loro asini.

4 E quando furono usciti dalla città e non erano ancora lontani, Giuseppe disse al suo maestro di casa: "Lèvati, va’ dietro a quegli uomini; e quando li avrai raggiunti, di’ loro: Perché avete reso mal per bene?

5 Non è quella la coppa nella quale il mio signore beve, e della quale si serve per indovinare? Avete fatto male a far questo!"

6 Egli li raggiunse, e disse loro quelle parole.

Genesi 44:1-6 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.