Genesis 44:12

12 And he searched, beginning from the eldest, until he came to the youngest; and he found the cup in Benjamin's sack.

Genesis 44:12 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:12

And he searched
To the bottom of them, not content to look into the mouth of them being opened, but rummaged them, and searched deeply into them to find the cup, which was the thing charged upon them he was solicitous to find; as for the money in the sack's mouth he took no notice of that, nor is there any mention of it: [and] began at the oldest;
at Reuben, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it: the steward might know their different ages in course, by the order in which they were placed at Joseph's table when they dined with him: and left off at the youngest;
at Benjamin, he ended his scrutiny with him; this method he took partly to hold them in fear as long as he could, and partly to prevent any suspicion of design, which might have been entertained had he went directly to Benjamin's sack: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack;
where the steward himself had put it, and as it is usually said, they that hide can find.

Genesis 44:12 In-Context

10 And he said, Now then it shall be as ye say; with whomsoever the cup shall be found, he shall be my servant, and ye shall be clear.
11 And they hasted, and took down every man his sack on the ground, and they opened every man his sack.
12 And he searched, beginning from the eldest, until he came to the youngest; and he found the cup in Benjamin's sack.
13 And they rent their garments, and laid each man his sack on his ass, and returned to the city.
14 And Judas and his brethren came in to Joseph, while he was yet there, and fell on the ground before him.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.