Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Genesis » Chapter 44

Genesis 44:1-34 King James Version (KJV)

1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.

4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.

7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:

8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.

11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.

17 And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

25 And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.

26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.

27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:

28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:

29 And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.

33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.


Genesis 44:1-34 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And he commanded H6680 the steward of his house, H1004 saying, H559 Fill H4390 the men's H582 sacks H572 with food, H400 as much as H834 they can H3201 carry, H5375 and put H7760 every man's H376 money H3701 in his sack's H572 mouth. H6310

2 And put H7760 my cup, H1375 the silver H3701 cup, H1375 in the sack's H572 mouth H6310 of the youngest, H6996 and his corn H7668 money. H3701 And he did H6213 according to the word H1697 that Joseph H3130 had spoken. H1696

3 As soon as the morning H1242 was light, H215 the men H582 were sent away, H7971 they and their asses. H2543

4 And when they were gone out H3318 of the city, H5892 and not yet far off, H7368 Joseph H3130 said H559 unto his steward, H1004 Up, H6965 follow H7291 after H310 the men; H582 and when thou dost overtake H5381 them, say H559 unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded H7999 evil H7451 for good? H2896

5 Is not this it in which my lord H113 drinketh, H8354 and whereby indeed H5172 he divineth? H5172 ye have done evil H7489 in so doing. H6213

6 And he overtook H5381 them, and he spake H1696 unto them these same H428 words. H1697

7 And they said H559 unto him, Wherefore saith H1696 my lord H113 these words? H1697 God forbid H2486 that thy servants H5650 should do H6213 according to this thing: H1697

8 Behold, the money, H3701 which we found H4672 in our sacks' H572 mouths, H6310 we brought again H7725 unto thee out of the land H776 of Canaan: H3667 how then should we steal H1589 out of thy lord's H113 house H1004 silver H3701 or gold? H2091

9 With whomsoever of thy servants H5650 it be found, H4672 both let him die, H4191 and we also will be my lord's H113 bondmen. H5650

10 And he said, H559 Now also let it be according unto your words: H1697 H3651 he with whom it is found H4672 shall be my servant; H5650 and ye shall be blameless. H5355

11 Then they speedily H4116 took down H3381 every man H376 his sack H572 to the ground, H776 and opened H6605 every man H376 his sack. H572

12 And he searched, H2664 and began H2490 at the eldest, H1419 and left H3615 at the youngest: H6996 and the cup H1375 was found H4672 in Benjamin's H1144 sack. H572

13 Then they rent H7167 their clothes, H8071 and laded H6006 every man H376 his ass, H2543 and returned H7725 to the city. H5892

14 And Judah H3063 and his brethren H251 came H935 to Joseph's H3130 house; H1004 for he was yet there: and they fell H5307 before him H6440 on the ground. H776

15 And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto them, What deed H4639 is this that ye have done? H6213 wot ye H3045 not that such a man H376 as I can certainly H5172 divine? H5172

16 And Judah H3063 said, H559 What shall we say H559 unto my lord? H113 what shall we speak? H1696 or how shall we clear ourselves? H6663 God H430 hath found out H4672 the iniquity H5771 of thy servants: H5650 behold, we are my lord's H113 servants, H5650 both we, and he also H1571 with whom H834 H3027 the cup H1375 is found. H4672

17 And he said, H559 God forbid H2486 that I should do H6213 so: H2063 but the man H376 in whose hand H3027 the cup H1375 is found, H4672 he shall be my servant; H5650 and as for you, get you up H5927 in peace H7965 unto your father. H1

18 Then Judah H3063 came near H5066 unto him, and said, H559 Oh H994 my lord, H113 let thy servant, H5650 I pray thee, speak H1696 a word H1697 in my lord's H113 ears, H241 and let not thine anger H639 burn H2734 against thy servant: H5650 for thou art even as Pharaoh. H6547

19 My lord H113 asked H7592 his servants, H5650 saying, H559 Have H3426 ye a father, H1 or a brother? H251

20 And we said H559 unto my lord, H113 We have H3426 a father, H1 an old man, H2205 and a child H3206 of his old age, H2208 a little one; H6996 and his brother H251 is dead, H4191 and he alone is left H3498 of his mother, H517 and his father H1 loveth H157 him.

21 And thou saidst H559 unto thy servants, H5650 Bring him down H3381 unto me, that I may set H7760 mine eyes H5869 upon him.

22 And we said H559 unto my lord, H113 The lad H5288 cannot H3201 leave H5800 his father: H1 for if he should leave H5800 his father, H1 his father would die. H4191

23 And thou saidst H559 unto thy servants, H5650 Except H3808 your youngest H6996 brother H251 come down H3381 with you, ye shall see H7200 H3254 my face H6440 no more. H7200 H3254

24 And it came to pass when we came up H5927 unto thy servant H5650 my father, H1 we told H5046 him the words H1697 of my lord. H113

25 And our father H1 said, H559 Go again, H7725 and buy H7666 us a little H4592 food. H400

26 And we said, H559 We cannot H3201 go down: H3381 if our youngest H6996 brother H251 be H3426 with us, then will we go down: H3381 for we may H3201 not see H7200 the man's H376 face, H6440 except H369 our youngest H6996 brother H251 be with us.

27 And thy servant H5650 my father H1 said H559 unto us, Ye know H3045 that my wife H802 bare H3205 me two H8147 sons:

28 And the one H259 went out H3318 from me, and I said, H559 Surely H2963 he is torn in pieces; H2963 and I saw him H7200 not since: H2008

29 And if ye take H3947 this also from H5973 me, H6440 and mischief H611 befall him, H7136 ye shall bring down H3381 my gray hairs H7872 with sorrow H7451 to the grave. H7585

30 Now therefore when I come H935 to thy servant H5650 my father, H1 and the lad H5288 be not with us; seeing that his life H5315 is bound up H7194 in the lad's life; H5315

31 It shall come to pass, when he seeth H7200 that the lad H5288 is not with us, that he will die: H4191 and thy servants H5650 shall bring down H3381 the gray hairs H7872 of thy servant H5650 our father H1 with sorrow H3015 to the grave. H7585

32 For thy servant H5650 became surety H6148 for the lad H5288 unto H5973 my father, H1 saying, H559 If I bring H935 him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame H2398 to my father H1 for ever. H3117

33 Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant H5650 abide H3427 instead of the lad H5288 a bondman H5650 to my lord; H113 and let the lad H5288 go up H5927 with his brethren. H251

34 For how H349 shall I go up H5927 to my father, H1 and the lad H5288 be not with me? lest peradventure I see H7200 the evil H7451 that shall come on H4672 my father. H1


Genesis 44:1-34 American Standard (ASV)

1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his grain money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.

4 `And' when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

5 Is not this that in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.

7 And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing.

8 Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my bondman; and ye shall be blameless.

11 Then they hasted, and took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 And he searched, `and' began at the eldest, and left off at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; and he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.

15 And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? know ye not that such a man as I can indeed divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's bondmen, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found.

17 And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh, my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

20 And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loveth him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.

22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

25 And our father said, Go again, buy us a little food.

26 And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, expect our youngest brother be with us.

27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:

28 and the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I have not seen him since:

29 and if ye take this one also from me, and harm befall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.

30 Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;

31 it will come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not `with us', that he will die: and thy servants will bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

32 For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then shall I bear the blame to my father for ever.

33 Now therefore, let thy servant, I pray thee, abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.

34 For how shall I go up to my father, if the lad be not with me? lest I see the evil that shall come on my father.


Genesis 44:1-34 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And he commandeth him who `is' over his house, saying, `Fill the bags of the men `with' food, as they are able to bear, and put the money of each in the mouth of his bag;

2 and my cup, the silver cup, thou dost put in the mouth of the bag of the young one, and his corn-money;' and he doth according to the word of Joseph which he hath spoken.

3 The morning is bright, and the men have been sent away, they and their asses --

4 they have gone out of the city -- they have not gone far off -- and Joseph hath said to him who `is' over his house, `Rise, pursue after the men; and thou hast overtaken them, and thou hast said unto them, Why have ye recompensed evil for good?

5 Is not this that with which my lord drinketh? and he observeth diligently with it; ye have done evil `in' that which ye have done.'

6 And he overtaketh them, and speaketh unto them these words,

7 and they say unto him, `Why doth my lord speak according to these words? far be it from thy servants to do according to this word;

8 lo, the money which we found in the mouth of our bags we brought back unto thee from the land of Canaan, and how do we steal from the house of thy lord silver or gold?

9 with whomsoever of thy servants it is found, he hath died, and we also are to my lord for servants.'

10 And he saith, `Now, also, according to your words, so it `is'; he with whom it is found becometh my servant, and ye are acquitted;'

11 and they hasten and take down each his bag to the earth, and each openeth his bag;

12 and he searcheth -- at the eldest he hath begun, and at the youngest he hath completed -- and the cup is found in the bag of Benjamin;

13 and they rend their garments, and each ladeth his ass, and they turn back to the city.

14 And Judah -- his brethren also -- cometh in unto the house of Joseph, and he is yet there, and they fall before him to the earth;

15 and Joseph saith to them, `What `is' this deed that ye have done? have ye not known that a man like me doth diligently observe?'

16 And Judah saith, `What do we say to my lord? what do we speak? and what -- do we justify ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants; lo, we `are' servants to my lord, both we, and he in whose hand the cup hath been found;'

17 and he saith, `Far be it from me to do this; the man in whose hand the cup hath been found, he becometh my servant; and ye, go ye up in peace unto your father.'

18 And Judah cometh nigh unto him, and saith, `O, my lord, let thy servant speak, I pray thee, a word in the ears of my lord, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant -- for thou art as Pharaoh.

19 My lord hath asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father or brother?

20 and we say unto my lord, We have a father, an aged one, and a child of old age, a little one; and his brother died, and he is left alone of his mother, and his father hath loved him.

21 `And thou sayest unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, and I set mine eye upon him;

22 and we say unto my lord, The youth is not able to leave his father, when he hath left his father, then he hath died;

23 and thou sayest unto thy servants, If your young brother come not down with you, ye add not to see my face.

24 `And it cometh to pass, that we have come up unto thy servant my father, that we declare to him the words of my lord;

25 and our father saith, Turn back, buy for us a little food,

26 and we say, We are not able to go down; if our young brother is with us, then we have gone down; for we are not able to see the man's face, and our young brother not with us.

27 `And thy servant my father saith unto us, Ye -- ye have known that two did my wife bare to me,

28 and the one goeth out from me, and I say, Surely he is torn -- torn! and I have not seen him since;

29 when ye have taken also this from my presence, and mischief hath met him, then ye have brought down my grey hairs with evil to sheol.

30 `And now, at my coming in unto thy servant my father, and the youth not with us (and his soul is bound up in his soul),

31 then it hath come to pass when he seeth that the youth is not, that he hath died, and thy servants have brought down the grey hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to sheol;

32 for thy servant obtained the youth by surety from my father, saying, If I bring him not in unto thee -- then I have sinned against my father all the days.

33 `And now, let thy servant, I pray thee, abide instead of the youth a servant to my lord, and the youth goeth up with his brethren,

34 for how do I go up unto my father, and the youth not with me? lest I look on the evil which doth find my father.'


Genesis 44:1-34 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And he commanded him who was over his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry; and put every man's money in the mouth of his sack.

2 And put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain-money. And he did according to the word of Joseph which he had spoken.

3 In the morning, when it was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.

4 They were gone out of the city, [and] not [yet] far off, when Joseph said to him who was over his house, Up! follow after the men; and when thou overtakest them, thou shalt say to them, Why have ye rewarded evil for good?

5 Is not this [it] in which my lord drinks, and in which indeed he divines? Ye have done evil [in] what ye have done.

6 And he overtook them, and he spoke to them these words.

7 And they said to him, Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from thy servants to do such a thing!

8 Behold, the money that we found in our sacks' mouths we have brought again to thee from the land of Canaan; and how should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

9 With whomsoever of thy servants it is found, let him die; and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

10 And he said, Now also [let] it [be] according to your words: let him with whom it is found be my bondman, but ye shall be blameless.

11 And they hasted and laid down every man his sack on the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 And he searched carefully: he began at the eldest, and ended at the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13 Then they rent their clothes, and loaded every man his ass, and they returned to the city.

14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; and he was still there; and they fell down before him to the ground.

15 And Joseph said to them, What deed is this which ye have done? Did ye not know that such a man as I can certainly divine?

16 And Judah said, What shall we say to my lord? what shall we speak, and how justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of thy servants; behold, we are my lord's bondmen, both we, and he in whose hand the cup has been found.

17 And he said, Far be it from me to do so! The man in whose hand the cup has been found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.

18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, Ah! my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?

20 And we said to my lord, We have an aged father, and a child born to him in his old age, [yet] young; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.

21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down to me, that I may set mine eye on him.

22 And we said to my lord, The youth cannot leave his father: if he should leave his father, [his father] would die.

23 And thou saidst to thy servants, Unless your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.

24 And it came to pass when we came up to thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

25 And our father said, Go again, buy us a little food.

26 But we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down; for we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.

27 And thy servant my father said to us, Ye know that my wife bore me two [sons];

28 and the one went out from me, and I said, He must certainly have been torn in pieces; and I have not seen him [again] hitherto.

29 And if ye take this one also from me, and mischief should befall him, ye will bring down my grey hairs with misery to Sheol.

30 And now, when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad is not with us, -- seeing that his life is bound up with his life,

31 it will come to pass when he sees that the lad is not [there], that he will die; and thy servants will bring down the grey hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.

32 For thy servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, If I bring him not to thee, then I shall be guilty toward my father all my days.

33 And now, let thy servant stay, I pray thee, instead of the lad a bondman to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brethren;

34 for how should I go up to my father if the lad were not with me? -- lest I see the evil that would come on my father.


Genesis 44:1-34 World English Bible (WEB)

1 He commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, with his grain money." He did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

4 When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?

5 Isn't this that from which my lord drinks, and by which he indeed divines? You have done evil in so doing.'"

6 He overtook them, and 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 our sacks' mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord's house?

9 With whoever of your servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondservants."

10 He said, "Now also let it be according to your words: he with whom it is found will be my bondservant; and you will be blameless."

11 Then they hurried, and took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.

12 He searched, beginning with the eldest, and ending at the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

13 Then they tore their clothes, and loaded every man his donkey, and returned to the city.

14 Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him.

15 Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Don't you know that such a man as I can indeed divine?"

16 Judah said, "What will we tell my lord? What will we speak? Or how will we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are my lord's bondservants, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found."

17 He said, "Far be it from me that I should do so. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he will be my bondservant; but as for you, go up in peace to your father."

18 Then Judah came near to him, and said, "Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and don't let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even as Pharaoh.

19 My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father, or a brother?'

20 We said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loves him.'

21 You said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.'

22 We said to my lord, 'The boy can't leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'

23 You said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will see my face no more.'

24 It happened when we came up to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

25 Our father said, 'Go again, buy us a little food.'

26 We said, 'We can't go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, unless our youngest brother is with us.'

27 Your servant, my father, said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons:

28 and the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn in pieces;" and I haven't seen him since.

29 If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to Sheol.'

30 Now therefore when I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the boy's life;

31 it will happen, when he sees that the boy is no more, that he will die. Your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant, our father, with sorrow to Sheol.

32 For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, 'If I don't bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.'

33 Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, a bondservant to my lord; and let the boy go up with his brothers.

34 For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn't with me? Lest I see the evil that will come on my father."


Genesis 44:1-34 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Then he gave orders to the servant who was over his house, saying, Put as much food into the men's bags as will go into them, and put every man's money in the mouth of his bag;

2 And put my cup, my silver cup, in the youngest one's bag, with his money. So he did as Joseph said.

3 And at dawn the men, with their asses, were sent away.

4 And when they had gone only a little way out of the town, Joseph said to the servant who was over his house, Go after them; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you done evil in reward for good?

5 Is not this the cup from which my lord takes wine and by which he gets knowledge of the future? Truly, you have done evil.

6 So he overtook them and said these words to them.

7 And they said to him, Why does my lord say such words as these? far be it from your servants to do such a thing:

8 See, the money which was in the mouth of our bags we gave back to you when we came again from Canaan: how then might we take silver or gold from your lord's house?

9 If it comes to light that any of your servants has done this, let him be put to death, and we will be your lord's servants.

10 And he said, Let it be as you say: he in whose bag it is seen will become my servant; and you will not be responsible.

11 Then every man quickly got his bag down and undid it.

12 And he made a search, starting with the oldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was in Benjamin's bag.

13 Then in bitter grief they put the bags on the asses again and went back to the town.

14 So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house; and he was still there: and they went down on their faces before him.

15 And Joseph said, What is this thing which you have done? had you no thought that such a man as I would have power to see what is secret?

16 And Judah said, What are we to say to my lord? how may we put ourselves right in his eyes? God has made clear the sin of your servants: now we are in your hands, we and the man in whose bag your cup was seen.

17 Then he said, Far be it from me to do so: but the man who had my cup will be my servant; and you may go back to your father in peace.

18 Then Judah came near him, and said, Let your servant say a word in my lord's ears, and let not your wrath be burning against your servant: for you are in the place of Pharaoh to us.

19 My lord said to his servants, Have you a father or a brother?

20 And we said to my lord, We have an old father and a young child, whom he had when he was old; his brother is dead and he is the only son of his mother, and is very dear to his father.

21 And you said to your servants, Let him come down to me with you, so that I may see him.

22 And we said to my lord, His father will not let him go; for if he went away his father would come to his death.

23 But you said to your servants, If your youngest brother does not come with you, you will not see my face again.

24 And when we went back to your servant, our father, we gave him an account of my lord's words.

25 And our father said, Go again and get us a little food.

26 And we said, Only if our youngest brother goes with us will we go down; for we may not see the man's face again if our youngest brother is not with us.

27 And our father said to us, You have knowledge that my wife gave me two sons;

28 The one went away from me, and I said, Truly he has come to a violent death; and from that time I have not seen him,

29 If now you take this one from me, and some evil comes to him, you will make my grey head go down in sorrow to the underworld.

30 If then I go back to your servant, my father, without the boy, because his life and the boy's life are one,

31 When he sees that the boy is not with us, he will come to his death, and our father's grey head will go down in sorrow to the underworld.

32 For I made myself responsible for the boy to my father, saying, If I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin for ever.

33 So now let me be my lord's servant here in place of the boy, and let him go back with his brothers.

34 For how may I go back to my father without the boy, and see the evil which will come on my father?

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 44

Commentary on Genesis 44 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 44

Joseph, having entertained his brethren, dismissed them; but here we have them brought back in a greater fright than any they had been in yet. Observe,

  • I. What method he took both to humble them further and also to try their affection to his brother Benjamin, by which he would be able to judge of the sincerity of their repentance for what they had done against himself, of which he was desirous to be satisfied before he manifested his reconciliation to them. This he contrived to do by bringing Benjamin into distress (v. 1-17).
  • II. The good success of the experiment; he found them all heartily concerned, and Judah particularly, both for the safety of Benjamin and for the comfort of their aged father (v. 18, etc.).

Gen 44:1-17

Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself, after his corn was delivered to him. If Benjamin had stolen it, it had been the basest piece of dishonesty and ingratitude that could be and if Joseph, by ordering it to be there, had designed really to take advantage against him, it had been in him most horrid cruelty and oppression; but it proved, in the issue, that there was no harm done, nor any designed, on either side. Observe,

  • I. How the pretended criminals were pursued and arrested, on suspicion of having stolen a silver cup. The steward charged them with ingratitude-rewarding evil for good; and with folly, in taking away a cup of daily use, and which therefore would soon be missed, and diligent search made for it; for so it may be read: Is not this it in which my lord drinketh (as having a particular fondness for it), and for which he would search thoroughly? v. 5. Or, "By which, leaving it carelessly at your table, he would make trial whether you were honest men or no.'
  • II. How they pleaded for themselves. They solemnly protested their innocence, and detestation of so base a thing (v. 7), urged it as an instance of their honesty that they had brought their money back (v. 8), and offered to submit to the severest punishment if they should be found guilty, v. 9, 10.
  • III. How the theft was fastened upon Benjamin. In his sack the cup was found to whom Joseph had been particularly kind. Benjamin, no doubt, was ready to deny, upon oath, the taking of the cup, and we may suppose him as little liable to suspicion as any of them; but it is in vain to confront such notorious evidence: the cup is found in his custody; they dare not arraign Joseph's justice, nor so much as suggest that perhaps he that had put their money in their sacks' mouths had put the cup there; but they throw themselves upon Joseph's mercy. And,
  • IV. Here is their humble submission, v. 16.
    • 1. They acknowledge the righteousness of God: God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants, perhaps referring to the injury they had formerly done to Joseph, for which they thought God was now reckoning with them. Note, Even in those afflictions wherein we apprehend ourselves wronged by men yet we must own that God is righteous, and finds out our iniquity.
    • 2. They surrender themselves prisoners to Joseph: We are my lord's servants. Now Joseph's dreams were accomplished to the utmost. Their bowing so often, and doing homage, might be looked upon but as a compliment, and no more than what other strangers did; but the construction they themselves, in their pride, had put upon his dreams was, Shalt though have dominion over us? (ch. 37:8), and in this sense it is now at length fulfilled,; they own themselves his vassals. Since they did invidiously so understand it, so it shall be fulfilled in them.
  • V. Joseph, with an air of justice, gives sentence that Benjamin only should be kept in bondage, and the rest should be dismissed; for why should any suffer but the guilty? Perhaps Joseph intended hereby to try Benjamin's temper, whether he could bear such a hardship as this with the calmness and composure of mind that became a wise and good man: in short, whether he was indeed his own brother, in spirit as well as blood; for Joseph himself had been falsely accused, and had suffered hard things in consequence, and yet kept possession of his own soul. However, it is plain he intended hereby to try the affection of his brethren to Benjamin and to their father. If they had gone away contentedly, and left Benjamin in bonds, no doubt Joseph would soon have released and promoted him, and sent notice to Jacob, and would have left the rest of his brethren justly to suffer for their hard-heartedness; but they proved to be better to Benjamin than he feared. Note, We cannot judge what men are by what they have been formerly, nor what they will do by what they have done: age and experience may make men wiser and better. Those that had sold Joseph would not now abandon Benjamin. The worst may mend in time.

Gen 44:18-34

We have here a most ingenious and pathetic speech which Judah made to Joseph on Benjamin's behalf, to obtain his discharge from the sentence passed upon him. Perhaps Judah was a better friend to Benjamin than the rest were, and more solicitous to bring him off; or he thought himself under greater obligations to attempt it than the rest, because he had passed his word to his father for his safe return; or the rest chose him for their spokesman, because he was a man of better sense, and better spirit, and had a greater command of language than any of them. His address, as it is here recorded, is so very natural and so expressive of his present feelings that we cannot but suppose Moses, who wrote it so long after, to have written it under the special direction of him that made man's mouth.

  • I. A great deal of unaffected art, and unstudied unforced rhetoric, there is in this speech.
    • 1. He addresses himself to Joseph with a great deal of respect and deference, calls him his lord, himself and his brethren his servants, begs his patient hearing, and ascribes sovereign authority to him: "Thou art even as Pharaoh, one whose favour we desire and whose wrath we dread as we do Pharaoh's.' Religion does not destroy good manners, and it is prudence to speak respectfully to those at whose mercy we lie: titles of honour to those that are entitled to them are not flattering titles.
    • 2. He represented Benjamin as one well worthy of his compassionate consideration (v. 20); he was a little one, compared with the rest of them; the youngest, not acquainted with the world, nor ever inured to hardship, having always been brought up tenderly with his father. It made the case the more pitiable that he alone was left of his mother, and his brother was dead, namely, Joseph. Little did Judah think what a tender point he touched upon now. Judah knew that Joseph was sold, and therefore had reason enough to think that he was alive; at least he could not be sure that he was dead: but they had made their father believe he was dead; and now they had told that lie so long that they had forgotten the truth, and begun to believe the lie themselves.
    • 3. He urged it very closely that Joseph had himself constrained them to bring Benjamin with them, had expressed a desire to see him (v. 21), and had forbidden them his presence unless they brought Benjamin with them (v. 23, 26), all which intimated that he designed him some kindness; and must he be brought with so much difficulty to the preferment of a perpetual slavery? Was he not brought to Egypt, in obedience, purely in obedience, to the command of Joseph? and would he not show him some mercy? Some observe that Jacob's sons, in reasoning with their father, had said, We will not go down unless Benjamin go with us (ch. 43:5); but that when Judah comes to relate the story he expresses it more decently: "We cannot go down with any expectation to speed well.' Indecent words spoken in haste to our superiors should be recalled and amended.
    • 4. The great argument he insisted upon was the insupportable grief it would be to his aged father if Benjamin should be left behind in servitude: His father loveth him, v. 20. This they had pleaded against Joseph's insisting on his coming down (v. 22): "If he should leave his father, his father would die; much more if now he be left behind, never more to return to him.' This the old man, of whom they spoke, had pleaded against his going down: If mischief befal him, you shall bring down my gray hairs, that crown of glory, with sorrow to the grave, v. 29. This therefore Judah presses with a great deal of earnestness: "His life is bound up in the lad's life (v. 30); when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will faint away, and die immediately (v. 31), or will abandon himself to such a degree of sorrow as will, in a few days, make an end of him.' And, lastly, Judah pleads that, for his part, he could not bear to see this: Let me not see the evil that shall come on my father, v. 34. Note, It is the duty of children to be very tender of their parents' comfort, and to be afraid of every thing that may be an occasion of grief to them. Thus the love that descended first must again ascend, and something must be done towards a recompense for their care.
    • 5. Judah, in honour to the justice of Joseph's sentence, and to show his sincerity in this plea, offers himself to become a bondsman instead of Benjamin, v. 33. Thus the law would be satisfied; Joseph would be no loser (for we may suppose Judah a more able-bodied man than Benjamin, and fitter for service); and Jacob would better bear the loss of him than of Benjamin. Now, so far was he from grieving at his father's particular fondness for Benjamin, that he was himself willing to be a bondman to indulge it.
    Now, had Joseph been, as Judah supposed him, an utter stranger to the family, yet even common humanity could not but be wrought upon by such powerful reasonings as these; for nothing could be said more moving, more tender; it was enough to melt a heart of stone. But to Joseph, who was nearer akin to Benjamin than Judah himself was, and who, at this time, felt a greater affection both for him and his aged father than Judah did, nothing could be more pleasingly nor more happily said. Neither Jacob nor Benjamin needed an intercessor with Joseph; for he himself loved them.
  • II. Upon the whole matter let us take notice,
    • 1. How prudently Judah suppressed all mention of the crime that was charged upon Benjamin. Had he said any thing by way of acknowledgment of it, he would have reflected on Benjamin's honesty, and seemed too forward to suspect that; had he said any thing by way of denial of it, he would have reflected on Joseph's justice, and the sentence he had passed: therefore he wholly waives that head, and appeals to Joseph's pity. Compare with this that of Job, in humbling himself before God (Job 9:15), Though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would not argue, but petition; I would make supplication to my Judge.
    • 2. What good reason dying Jacob had to say, Judah, thou art he whom they brethren shall praise (ch. 49:8), for he excelled them all in boldness, wisdom, eloquence, and especially tenderness for their father and family.
    • 3. Judah's faithful adherence to Benjamin, now in his distress, was recompensed long after by the constant adherence of the tribe of Benjamin to the tribe of Judah, when all the other ten tribes deserted it.
    • 4. How fitly does the apostle, when he is discoursing of the mediation of Christ, observe, that our Lord sprang out of Judah (Heb. 7:14); for, like his father Judah, he not only made intercession for the transgressors, but he became a surety for them, as it follows there (v. 22), testifying therein a very tender concern both for his father and for his brethren.