Genesis 44:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words.

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

NASB: So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.

CSB: When he overtook them, he said these words to them.

NLT: When the palace manager caught up with the men, he spoke to them as he had been instructed.

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

NKJV: So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.

Joseph's 11 brothers have just begun their journey back to Canaan (Genesis 44:1–3) when they are overtaken by Joseph's steward (Genesis 44:4–5). The men still have not realized the influential governor is their own estranged brother (Genesis 42:8).

The steward accuses the men as instructed by his master, accusing them of evil and stealing a valuable silver cup. He mentions that the Egyptian governor—Joseph—uses this cup for "divination." This is the practice of seeking supernatural answers using common objects. Of course, Joseph had no need for this (Genesis 37:5–9; 41:25–28); he is reinforcing his brothers' view of him as an Egyptian vizier.

This news would have been horrifying (Genesis 44:7). Thinking their mission was over, they now find themselves right back in terrible danger. Once again, this turns out to be a test of their character.

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 6:31:31 AM