Genesis 44:13 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: Then they tore their clothes in grief, and when each man had loaded his donkey, they returned to the city.

CSB: Then they tore their clothes, and each one loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

NLT: When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city.

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

NKJV: Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous older brothers (Genesis 37:24–28). Twenty years later, he has become the governor of all Egypt (Genesis 41:44). When his brothers arrived in Egypt to buy food, they did not recognize him (Genesis 42:7–8). This began a series of tests, which has now led to this moment.

Returning from a second trip, bringing the youngest brother, Benjamin (Genesis 43:1–2; 14), the men have been accused of stealing a valuable silver cup. They don't realize the cup has been planted in Benjamin's sack by Joseph's own steward (Genesis 44:1–6). The men protest their innocence (Genesis 44:7–8). They recklessly vow that if the cup is found, the thief will be killed, and the others will become slaves (Genesis 44:9). The steward only demands that the culprit become a slave, and the men offer their sacks for inspection (Genesis 44:10–11).

To the brothers' horror, the cup is found in Benjamin's sack. As they see it, their father's worst nightmare has been realized. Jacob was terrified to send Benjamin after already losing Joseph (Genesis 42:4; 43:3–4; 14). It appears his beloved son has just been sentenced to a lifetime of slavery in Egypt. The others tear their clothes as a sign of their grief and loss. Judah must have felt especially heartbroken. He had pledged himself for Benjamin's safe return to Jacob, promising to carry the guilt forever if he failed to bring the boy back (Genesis 43:8–9).

The steward had said that only the man who was found with the silver cup would be made a servant of his master. The rest would be free to go. Joseph's brothers, however, do not leave. Not only do they grieve for their brother, but they also refuse to abandon him in Egypt. From Joseph's perspective, this will help demonstrate they have truly changed in the years since they heartlessly sold him into Egyptian slavery. As they return, Joseph will be able to further test their resolve. Will they put their own desires, even at the cost of a brother, and to the grief of their father, over doing what's right?

Genesis 44:1–13 describes Joseph's final test of his estranged brothers, this time using a silver cup. After a merry feast, Joseph's brothers—who still know nothing of his identity—are sent out with grain and money. Joseph orders his house steward to hide his unique personal cup in Benjamin's sack. Shortly after they leave, he sends the steward to overtake the brothers on their way out of town. Once the cup is found, all the brothers return to Joseph's house in great grief and frustration.

Eleven of Jacob's sons enjoyed a meal as honored guests of an Egyptian governor. They are sent off the next morning with full sacks of grain. All seems well until the governor's house steward overtakes them on the road and accuses them of stealing the ruler's personal and valuable silver cup. The brothers don't know this governor is Joseph, their long-lost brother. Nor do they know he ordered the steward to place the cup in Benjamin's sack. This is part of Joseph's final test of his brothers and their moral growth. Seeking to rescue Benjamin from slavery, Judah makes a powerful speech to Joseph, offering to take Benjamin's place as a slave to save the boy and avoid grieving their father, Jacob.

Joseph maintained his hidden identity when his estranged brothers first arrived in Egypt (Genesis 42). When they returned a second time, he continued to test them and treated them to a fine meal (Genesis 43). Genesis 44 describes Joseph's final scheme to test the character of his brothers. Will they once again abandon a sibling into slavery? After a successful scheme by Joseph, Benjamin seems doomed to become a slave in Egypt. Judah boldly begs Joseph to keep him, instead. He offers himself in Benjamin's place. This finally overwhelms Joseph, who will break down and reveal himself in the next chapter.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.