Genesis 44:1-14

A Silver Cup in a Sack

1 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack.

2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.

3 As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.

4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?

5 Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’ ”

6 When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.

7 But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!

8 We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?

9 If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.”

10 “Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame.”

11 Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.

12 Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

13 At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

14 Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.

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Genesis 44:1-14 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

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What Does the Life of Joseph Teach Us about Trusting God?

Cross References 30

1. S Genesis 43:16
2. S Genesis 42:25
3. ver 5,10,12,16
4. ver 8
5. Judges 19:9
6. S Genesis 43:16
7. Psalms 35:12; Psalms 38:20; Psalms 109:5; Proverbs 17:13; Jeremiah 18:20
8. S ver 2
9. S Genesis 30:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-14
10. S Genesis 42:11
11. S Genesis 18:25
12. S Genesis 42:13
13. ver 2
14. S Genesis 42:25; S Genesis 43:15; Genesis 43:21
15. Genesis 31:30
16. S Genesis 42:11
17. Genesis 31:32
18. S ver 10; S Genesis 43:18
19. S ver 2
20. ver 9,17,33
21. S Genesis 43:9
22. S Genesis 43:16
23. S Genesis 31:34
24. S Genesis 43:33
25. ver 2
26. S Genesis 37:29; Numbers 14:6; 2 Samuel 1:11
27. S Genesis 42:26
28. Genesis 43:18
29. ver 16; S Genesis 29:35; S Genesis 43:3
30. S Genesis 33:3; Genesis 37:7,10