Genesis 44:4

4 And when they had gone out of the city, were not far off, then Joseph said to his steward, Arise, and pursue after the men; and thou shalt overtake them, and say to them, Why have ye returned evil for good?

Genesis 44:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 44:4

[And] when they were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far
off
Which perhaps was Tanis, the Zoan of the Scriptures; see ( Ezekiel 30:14 ) , margin; Joseph said unto his steward, up, follow after the men;
who no doubt was ready provided with men and horses, to go out and pursue when Joseph should give the orders, he being privy to Joseph's intentions, and with whom the scheme was concerted, and the secret was. Joseph appears to have been up very early this morning, and had observed the exact time of his brethren's departure, and guessed whereabouts they might be when he sent his steward, and others after them; for it can hardly be thought he was sent alone after eleven men, and to charge them with a theft, and bring them back again: and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, wherefore have ye
rewarded evil for good?
in taking away the silver cup, when they had been so kindly and bountifully entertained. This he was to represent as base ingratitude, as it would have appeared, had it been fact. In much such manner was Esop used by the inhabitants of Delphos; they, being displeased with him, put a sacred cup or vial into his bags, which he, being ignorant of, went on his way towards Phocis; and they ran after him, and seized him, and charged him with sacrilege ^F8.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Scholia ad Vespes Aristophanis, p. 534. Ed. Genev. 1607.

Genesis 44:4 In-Context

2 And put my silver cup into the sack of the youngest, and the price of his corn. And it was done according to the word of Joseph, as he said.

3 The morning dawned, and the men were sent away, they and their asses.

4 And when they had gone out of the city, were not far off, then Joseph said to his steward, Arise, and pursue after the men; and thou shalt overtake them, and say to them, Why have ye returned evil for good?

5 Why have ye stolen my silver cup? is it not this out of which my lord drinks? and he divines augury with it; ye have accomplished evil in that which ye have done.

6 And he found them, and spoke to them according to these words.