Genesis 44:7

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!

Genesis 44:7 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:7

And they said unto him, wherefore saith my lord these words?
&c.] One of them, in the name of the rest, perhaps Judah, made answer, as astonished at the charge laid against them, suggesting that there was not the least foundation for it, and were quite surprised to hear anything of this kind alleged against them: God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing;
expressing the utmost detestation of such a fact, as being what they could never be guilty of.

Genesis 44:7 In-Context

5 Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he divines? You have done wrong in so doing.'"
6 When he overtook them, 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 the mouth of our sacks, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan; how then should we steal silver or gold from your lord's house?
9 With whomever of your servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.