Genesis 44 - Printer Friendly

What does Genesis 44 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

The last chapter seemed to be a happy ending. Eleven of Jacob's sons are on their way back to Canaan with everything they came for. They have the grain they need to avoid starvation. They have Simeon, released from prison after being held as security. And they have Jacob's beloved Benjamin, safe and well. They even have their money, once again returned, seemingly with their knowledge, adding yet another blessing. They have not yet realized that the powerful Egyptian governor with whom they've dealt is their estranged brother, Joseph (Genesis 42:7–8), who is testing them (Genesis 44:1–2).

Joseph's test continues by having his own personal, valuable silver cup hidden in the grain sack carried by Benjamin. Under Joseph's orders, the steward catches up with the brothers on the road back to Canaan. He questions them harshly, accusing them of stealing the cup. Naturally, the brothers protest loudly. They have no idea the cup is with them. Seeking to prove their innocence, they make a foolish offer: if any of them are found with the cup, that man will be killed, and the rest will become slaves to the ruler (Genesis 44:3–10).

The steward pounces on the offer, while changing it. He insists, as Joseph has instructed him, that the man found with the cup will become a slave and the rest will be free to go. The brothers all quickly open their sacks to be searched in order from oldest to youngest. The steward, who put the cup in Benjamin's sack, makes a show of searching all the others before finding it there. This results in a display of intense grief and frustration—but the brothers do not leave. They return to the city along with Benjamin and the steward (Genesis 44:11–13).

The Egyptian ruler—still unrecognized as Joseph—insists that the men can go free if Benjamin remains behind as a slave. This is a direct parallel to the situation Joseph faced when his brothers—these same men, other than Benjamin—sold him as a slave some twenty years ago (Genesis 37:24–28). In that moment, the ten oldest sons of Jacob cruelly and jealously left an innocent person in slavery, grieving their father, to serve their own interests. Now, with Benjamin, they face a similar choice. Will they leave an innocent one and once again trouble their father (Genesis 44:14–17).

Fortunately for them all, Judah speaks on behalf of the family. He confesses his guilt, though he knows Benjamin and the rest are innocent of stealing the cup. He knows, however, that he has guilt to bear for what he did to Joseph many years prior (Genesis 42:21–23). He passionately describes how their elderly father will die of grief if he loses his beloved youngest son. Judah tells how he pledged himself as safety for the boy. He could not bear to look into the eyes of his father and deliver the news that Benjamin had been left behind (Genesis 44:18–32).

This plea climaxes with a dramatic offer. Hoping Joseph's heart has been softened, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place as a slave. In this way, he will be able to save both the boy and Jacob. The same brother who masterminded a younger brother's sale into slavery (Genesis 37:26–27) is now begging to be kept as a slave to save a younger brother (Genesis 44:33–34).

Joseph has now seen his estranged brothers (Genesis 42:1–8), heard them admit guilt (Genesis 42:21–23), and been reunited with his younger brother (Genesis 43:29–30). Now, in response to a test, he hears Judah offer his own life in sacrifice. This finally breaks Joseph's controlled disguise. He will break down, clear the room of all Egyptians, and reveal his identity with great emotion (Genesis 45:1–3).

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.

Genesis 44:14–34 explains how Joseph's brothers reacted to another test of character. The youngest, Benjamin, was discovered to have Joseph's own silver cup in his bags. This was secretly put there on Joseph's orders—and the brothers still do not know his identity. Joseph's intent seems to be a test of his brothers' growth: are they still as cruel and selfish as when they sold Joseph, himself, into Egyptian slavery? Benjamin's sentence is to become Joseph's slave while the rest are free to go. Instead, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place in order save his youngest brother and their old father, who will surely die of grief if Benjamin is lost.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/8/2024 6:49:00 PM