Joseph's artifice to detain Benjamin, or the story of the silver goblet. I. JOSEPH 'S STRATAGEM ( Genesis 44:1-13 ). 1. The formation of the plot ( Genesis 44:1-5 ). 2. The execution of the plot ( Genesis 44:6-12 ). 3. The result of the plot ( Genesis 44:13-16 ). II. BENJAMIN 'S SENTENCE ( Genesis 44:17 ). 1. Exceedingly severe . He became a bondman. Remark upon the sadness of slavery, even when most mitigated. 2. Circumstantially... read more
Character built on faith. This chapter continues the same thread of Joseph's policy, and the same lessons are in it. I. PRACTICAL WISDOM THE FRUIT OF PIETY . The true man is the strong man. With a deep knowledge of the human heart, Joseph felt quite sure that the only way to move Jacob from Canaan was to detain Benjamin. II. THE SANCTITY OF THE AFFECTIONS . Real religion their only safeguard in the world's hardening and perverting influences. Joseph did apparent ... read more
As soon as the morning was light (literally, the morning became bright ) , the men (literally, and the men) were sent away, they and their asses. That Joseph did not make himself known to his brothers at the repast was not due to unnatural callousness which caused his heart to remain cold and steeled (Kalisch), or to a fear lest he should thereby destroy the character of his mission which made him the medium of retribution for his brothers (Kalisch), but to the fact that in his... read more
Probation. Divination by cups was practiced by the ancient Egyptians. But no reason to suppose that Joseph actually used this art. It would have been inconsistent with his habitual faithfulness to God, and with the ascription to him alone of the power to reveal secrets (Ge 40:7-41:16). He was now acting a part. He spoke in the character of an Egyptian ruler, to whom the nation ascribed supernatural wisdom. We need not now inquire how far he was right in this. But his object was to try his... read more
And he ( i.e. the steward) overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words. read more
A nd they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do (literally, for be thy seesaws from doing ) according to's thing: behold, the money (literally, the silver ) , which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan (this was an irrefragable proof of their honesty): how then should we steal out of my lord's house silver or gold? They were even so confident of their innocence that they ventured... read more
Then they speedily took down (literally, and they hasted and took down) every man his sack (from off his ass) to the ground, and opened every man his sack . Thus as it were delivering them up for examination. And he (the steward) searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest : and the cup was found (where the steward himself had put it) in Benjamin's sack. Then (literally, and ) they rent their clothes (on the simlah vide Genesis 9:23 ), and laded every... read more
- The Ten Brothers Were TestedJoseph has had the satisfaction of seeing his brother Benjamin safe and well. He has heard his brothers acknowledging their guilt concerning himself. He resolves to put their attachment to Benjamin, and the genuineness of their change of disposition, to a test that will at the same time expose Benjamin to no hazard.Genesis 44:1-5And my cup. - Besides returning each man’s money as before, a silver cup of Joseph’s is put in Benjamin’s bag, after which, when daylight... read more
Genesis 44:2. Put my cup, the silver cup Probably a large cup of great value, and much used by Joseph; in the sack’s mouth of the youngest Hereby, it seems, Joseph meant to try his brethren’s affection to Benjamin, whether they would assist him in his extremity, and also their regard for their father, whether they would willingly give up and leave in confinement his favourite son. Had they hated Benjamin as they had Joseph, and been influenced by the same unfeeling disposition as they... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 44:1-2
And he ( i.e. Joseph) commanded the steward of his house, —literally, him that was over his hoarse ( Genesis 43:15 )— saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth (as before, but not this time as a test). And put my cup ,— גָּבִיעַ , from an unused root, גָּבַע , conveying the sense of elevation or roundness; hence a goblet or bowl, commonly of a large size ( Jeremiah 35:5 ), as distinguished from the... read more