Genesis 44:11-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 44:1-17

Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:11

Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground ,.... To be opened and examined, and this they did in all haste, as having a clear conscience, and being confident that nothing could be found upon them, and desirous of having the affair issued as soon as possible, that the steward might have full satisfaction, and they proceed on in their journey: and opened every man his sack ; showing neither reluctance nor fear, being conscious of their innocence. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:12

And he searched ,.... To the bottom of them, not content to look into the mouth of them being opened, but rummaged them, and searched deeply into them to find the cup, which was the thing charged upon them he was solicitous to find; as for the money in the sack's mouth he took no notice of that, nor is there any mention of it: and began at the oldest ; at Reuben, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it: the steward might know their different ages in course, by the order in which they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:13

Then they rent their clothes ,.... In token of sorrow and distress, being at their wits' end, like distracted persons, not knowing what to do: this was usually done in the eastern countries when any evil befell, as did Jacob, Genesis 37:34 ; and as the Egyptians themselves did when mourning for their dead, as Diodorus Siculus F17 Bibliothec. l. 1. p. 65. relates: and laded every man his ass ; put their sacks of corn on their asses again, having tied them up: and returned to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:14

And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house ,.... Judah is particularly mentioned because he was the principal spokesman, and was chiefly concerned for the safety of Benjamin, being his surety: for he was yet there ; Joseph was yet at his own house, was not as yet gone to the granaries, to look after the affairs of the corn, and the sale and distribution of it, but was waiting for the return of his brethren, which he expected quickly: and they fell before him on the ground ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 44:15

And Joseph said unto them, what deed is this ye have done ?.... An action so wicked, base, and ungrateful, attended with such aggravated circumstances, that it can scarcely be said how bad a one it is, and may be well wondered at, that men who had received such favours could ever be guilty of; this he said, putting on a stern countenance, and seemingly in great anger and wrath: wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine ? either that he could divine himself, though not by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 44:1-34

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 44:1-34

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 44:11-13

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 44:14-17

And Judah —who is recognized as the leader in this second embassy to Egypt ( Genesis 43:8 )— and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there :—"awaiting, no doubt, the result which he anticipated" (Murphy)— and they fell before him on the ground. The expression indicates a complete prostration of the body. It was a token of their penitence, and a sign that they craved his forgiveness. And Joseph said unto them ,—in a speech not of "cruel and haughty irony" (Kalisch),... read more

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