Genesis 44:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?”

NIV: Joseph said to them, 'What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?'

NASB: Joseph said to them, 'What is this thing that you have done? Do you not know that a man who is like me can indeed practice divination?'

CSB: "What have you done? " Joseph said to them. "Didn't you know that a man like me could uncover the truth by divination? "

NLT: What have you done?' Joseph demanded. 'Don’t you know that a man like me can predict the future?'

KJV: 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?

NKJV: And Joseph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?”

Joseph's latest plan has worked perfectly. His ten older brothers, who sold him into slavery twenty years ago (Genesis 37:24–28), are groveling at his feet (Genesis 44:14). With them is also the youngest of Jacob's sons, Benjamin. None of these eleven men recognize their estranged brother, who is now a powerful governor in Egypt (Genesis 41:44). Leaving with purchased grain, they were approached by Joseph's steward and accused of theft. Benjamin's sack was found to contain Joseph's own silver cup, much to their horror (Genesis 44:7–12). Now they have come to beg for mercy. They don't yet know the cup was placed there on Joseph's own orders (Genesis 44:1–6).

Judging by the full context of the story, this scheme is intended as a final test for Joseph's brothers. These men—other than Benjamin—had cruelly sold him into slavery simply to ease their own jealousy (Genesis 37:4). Now, they are faced again with the loss of a younger brother. His plan would show him if they had changed. Would they sacrifice Benjamin to save themselves? Would they feel bad about leaving him behind? Would they simply be thankful they were not also enslaved?

Now, as they lay in terror at his feet, Joseph speaks harshly. He again suggests he can practice "divination" (Genesis 44:4). This was the use of common objects to supernaturally tell the future or reveal information. Later in Israel's history, God would specifically forbid the practice (Deuteronomy 18:10). Of course, Joseph does no such thing, since he has direct knowledge from God (Genesis 37:5–9; 41:25–28). This seems to be Joseph continuing to "play the part" of an Egyptian vizier and further test his brothers.

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.

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.