Génesis 44:1-6

1 La copa de plata de José
Cuando los hermanos estuvieron listos para marcharse, José dio las siguientes instrucciones al administrador del palacio: «Llena sus costales con todo el grano que puedan llevar y pon el dinero de cada uno nuevamente en su costal.

2 Luego pon mi copa personal de plata en la abertura del costal del menor de los hermanos, junto con el dinero de su grano». Y el administrador hizo tal como José le indicó.

3 Los hermanos se levantaron al amanecer y emprendieron el viaje con sus burros cargados.

4 Cuando habían recorrido solo una corta distancia y apenas habían llegado a las afueras de la ciudad, José le dijo al administrador del palacio: «Sal tras ellos y detenlos; y cuando los alcances, pregúntales: “¿Por qué han pagado mi bondad con semejante malicia?

5 ¿Por qué han robado la copa de plata
de mi amo, la que usa para predecir el futuro? ¡Qué maldad tan grande han cometido!”».

6 Cuando el administrador del palacio alcanzó a los hombres, les habló tal como José le había indicado.

Génesis 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.