Genesis 44:1-6

1 Und er gebot dem, der über sein Haus war, und sprach: Fülle die Säcke der Männer mit Speise, so viel sie tragen können, und lege das Geld eines jeden oben in seinen Sack.

2 Und meinen Kelch, den silbernen Kelch, sollst du oben in den Sack des Jüngsten legen mit dem Gelde für sein Getreide. Und er tat nach den Worte Josephs, das er geredet hatte.

3 Als der Morgen anbrach, da wurden die Männer entlassen, sie und ihre Esel.

4 Sie waren eben zur Stadt hinausgegangen, sie waren noch nicht weit, da sprach Joseph zu dem, der über sein Haus war: Mache dich auf, jage den Männern nach, und hast du sie erreicht, so sage zu ihnen: Warum habt ihr Böses für Gutes vergolten?

5 Ist es nicht der, aus welchem mein Herr trinkt und aus dem er zu wahrsagen pflegt? Ihr habt übel getan, was ihr getan habt!

6 Und er erreichte sie und redete diese Worte zu ihnen.

Genesis 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.