Genesis 44:7-10

"And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in our sack's mouths, we brought unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver and gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, let him die, and we will be my lord's bondmen. And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my bondman; and ye shall be blameless."

An essential part of Joseph's trap so carefully laid for the brothers was that of providing them an excellent chance to abandon Benjamin and return to Jacob without him. The steward was in on the arrangements, and therefore, he modified their words by granting immediate freedom for all of them except the one with whom the cup should be found.

The brothers, of course, vigorously protested their innocence, for it was based upon what they were certain was the truth. We are not told whether or not they believed in Benjamin's guilt, but, apparently, they attributed the disaster as, in some strange manner, a visitation of God Himself upon them for their sins. One cannot fail to appreciate the shock and consternation which came to the brothers, as related in the next verses.