Genesis 44:3-13

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Yosef said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, tell them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?

5 Isn't this that from which my lord drinks, and whereby he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.'"

6 He overtook them, and he spoke to them these words.

7 They said to him, "Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!

8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Kana`an. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord's house?

9 With whoever of your servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondservants."

10 He said, "Now also let it be according to your words: he with whom it is found will be my bondservant; and you will be blameless."

11 Then they hurried, and took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 He searched, beginning with the eldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in Binyamin's sack.

13 Then they tore their clothes, and loaded every man his donkey, and returned to the city.

Genesis 44:3-13 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.