Genesis 44:7

7 the which answered, Why speaketh our lord so, (saying) that thy servants have done so great a trespass?

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 The cup, which ye have stolen, is that in which my lord drinketh, and in which he is wont to divine; ye have done a full wicked thing.

6 He did as Joseph commanded, and when they were (over)taken (and when he had overtaken them), he spake by order these things;

7 the which answered, Why speaketh our lord so, (saying) that thy servants have done so great a trespass?

8 We brought again to thee from the land of Canaan the money that we found in the height of our sacks, and how is it following that we have stolen from thy lord's house gold or silver? (We brought back to thee from the land of Canaan the money that we found in the top of our sacks, so how followeth it, that we would steal gold or silver from thy lord's house?)

9 At whomever of thy servants this that thou seekest is found, die he, and we shall be servants of my lord. (With whomever of thy servants that the cup which thou seekest is found, let him die, and the rest of us shall be my lord's slaves.)