Bible Commentaries
Genesis 44

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 44:1, Joseph’s policy to stay his brethren; Genesis 44:6, The cup is found in Benjamin’s sack; Genesis 44:14, They are brought before Joseph; Genesis 44:18, Judah’s humble supplication to Joseph.

Verse 1

the steward: Heb. him that was over his house, Genesis 24:2, Genesis 43:16, Genesis 43:19

Fill the: Genesis 42:25, Genesis 43:2, Isaiah 3:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:2 - the Genesis 45:17 - lade your John 11:6 - he abode Romans 3:7 - if the truth

Verse 2

Genesis 42:15, Genesis 42:16, Genesis 42:20, Genesis 43:32, Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 8:16, Deuteronomy 13:3, Matthew 10:16, 2 Corinthians 8:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:25 - commanded Genesis 45:17 - lade your

Verse 4

Up: Deuteronomy 2:16

Wherefore: 1 Samuel 24:17, 2 Chronicles 20:11, Psalms 35:12, Psalms 109:5, Proverbs 17:13, John 10:32

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:15 - What Exodus 32:1 - Up Judges 4:14 - Up 1 Samuel 9:26 - Up 1 Samuel 25:21 - he hath requited Psalms 7:4 - If I John 13:25 - who

Verse 5

divineth: or, maketh trial, Genesis 44:15, *marg. Genesis 30:27, Leviticus 19:26, 1 Kings 20:33, 2 Kings 21:6, In the East, there is an ancient tradition, that there was a Cup which possessed the strange property of representing in it the whole world, and all the things which were then doing. The cup is called Jami Jemsheed, "the cup of Jemsheed," a very ancient king of Persia; and they say that it was discovered, filled with the elixir of immortality, when digging to lay the foundations of Persepolis. The Persian poets are full of allusions to this cup, which they style Jem jehan nima, the cup shewing the universe; and to it they ascribe all the prosperity of their ancient monarchs. Many of the Mahometan princes and governors affect still to have information by means of a cup. Now, though it cannot be admitted that Joseph practised divination, yet, according to the superstition of those times, supernatural influence might be attributed to HIS CUP.

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:6 - my lord 2 Kings 16:15 - for me to inquire by Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence

Verse 6

Reciprocal: 2 Corinthians 7:11 - clearing

Verse 7

Genesis 34:25-31, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 37:18-32, Genesis 38:16-18, Joshua 22:22-29, 2 Samuel 20:20, 2 Kings 8:13, Proverbs 22:1, Ecclesiastes 7:1, Hebrews 13:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:8 - how then Joshua 22:29 - God forbid 1 Samuel 20:2 - God forbid 1 Kings 21:3 - The Lord 2 Corinthians 7:11 - clearing

Verse 8

the money: Genesis 42:21, Genesis 42:27, Genesis 42:35, Genesis 43:12, Genesis 43:21, Genesis 43:22

how then: Genesis 44:7, Exodus 20:15, Deuteronomy 5:19, Matthew 19:18, Romans 13:9, James 2:10, James 2:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:6 - my lord

Verse 9

both: Genesis 31:32, Job 31:38-40, Psalms 7:3-5, Acts 25:11

and we: Genesis 43:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:10 - General Genesis 44:16 - behold

Verse 10

he with whom: Genesis 44:17, Genesis 44:33, Exodus 22:3, Matthew 18:24, Matthew 18:25

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:27 - the inn

Verse 12

began: Genesis 43:33

and the cup: Genesis 44:26-32, Genesis 42:36-38, Genesis 43:14

Verse 13

Genesis 37:29-34, Numbers 14:6, 2 Samuel 1:2, 2 Samuel 1:11, 2 Samuel 13:19

Verse 14

he was yet: Genesis 43:16, Genesis 43:25

fell: Genesis 37:7-9, Genesis 50:18, Philippians 2:10, Philippians 2:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:2 - bowed Genesis 37:9 - the sun Genesis 42:6 - bowed 1 Corinthians 14:25 - falling

Verse 15

What: Genesis 44:4, Genesis 44:5, Genesis 3:13, Genesis 4:10

wot ye not: Genesis 21:26, Genesis 39:8, Exodus 32:1

divine: or, make trial, Genesis 44:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:18 - General Proverbs 16:10 - A divine sentence Acts 3:17 - wot Romans 11:2 - Wot

Verse 16

Judah: Genesis 44:32, Genesis 43:8, Genesis 43:9

What shall we say: Deuteronomy 25:1, Ezra 9:10, Ezra 9:15, Job 40:4, Proverbs 17:15, Isaiah 5:3, Daniel 9:7, Acts 2:37

God hath: Genesis 37:18-28, Genesis 42:21, Genesis 42:22, Numbers 32:23, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:18, Judges 1:7, Proverbs 28:17, Matthew 7:2, Luke 12:2

iniquity: Genesis 43:9, Isaiah 27:9, Daniel 9:7

behold: Genesis 44:9, Genesis 37:7, Genesis 37:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 46:28 - Judah 1 Kings 18:7 - my lord Elijah 1 Kings 18:21 - answered Psalms 51:15 - O Lord Mark 14:40 - neither

Verse 17

God forbid: Genesis 18:25, Genesis 42:18, 2 Samuel 23:3, Psalms 75:2, Proverbs 17:15

he shall: Genesis 44:10

in peace: Genesis 26:29, Genesis 37:32, Genesis 37:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:30 - When I Joshua 22:29 - God forbid 2 Samuel 23:17 - Be it far 1 Kings 21:3 - The Lord 1 Corinthians 6:15 - God

Verse 18

Oh my Lord: "No paraphrase," says Dr. A. Clarke, "can heighten the effect of Judah's address to Joseph. To add, would be to diminish its excellence; to attempt to explain, would be to obscure its beauties; to clothe the ideas in other language than that of Judah, and his translators in our Bible, would ruin its energy, and destroy its influence. It is perhaps one of the most tender, affecting pieces of natural oratory ever spoken or penned, and we need not wonder to find that, when Joseph heard it, he could not refrain himself, but wept aloud. His soul must have been insensible beyond what is common to human nature, had he not immediately yielded to a speech so delicately tender, and so powerfully impressive."

let thy: Genesis 18:30, Genesis 18:32, 2 Samuel 14:12, Job 33:31, Acts 2:29

anger: Exodus 32:22, Esther 1:12, Psalms 79:5

as Pharaoh: Genesis 41:40, Genesis 41:44, Proverbs 19:12, Daniel 3:15, Daniel 3:19-23, Daniel 5:19, John 5:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:35 - called Genesis 37:6 - Hear Genesis 49:8 - shall praise 1 Samuel 25:24 - let thine 1 Samuel 26:19 - let my lord Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Acts 7:10 - gave

Verse 19

Genesis 42:7-10, Genesis 43:7, Genesis 43:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:7 - your sheaves Genesis 37:9 - the sun

Verse 20

we said: Every word in this verse is simplicity and pathos itself. No man of the least sensibility can read it without great emotion. Indeed the whole speech is exquisitely beautiful, and perhaps the most complete pattern of genuine natural eloquence extant in any language. When we read this generous speech, we forgive Judah all the past, and cannot refuse to say, "Thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise." Genesis 49:8

a child: Genesis 35:18, Genesis 37:3, Genesis 37:19, Genesis 43:7, Genesis 43:8, Genesis 46:21

and his brother: Genesis 37:33-35, Genesis 42:36, Genesis 42:38

he alone: Genesis 44:27-29, Luke 7:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:30 - he loved Genesis 37:32 - thy son's Genesis 42:4 - Lest Genesis 42:13 - one is not Genesis 42:15 - except Numbers 1:36 - General 1 Kings 18:7 - my lord Elijah Mark 12:6 - his Luke 8:42 - one Luke 9:38 - for

Verse 21

Bring: Genesis 42:15, Genesis 42:20, Genesis 43:29

that I may: Jeremiah 24:6, Jeremiah 40:4, Amos 9:4

Verse 22

his father would die: Genesis 44:30, Genesis 42:38

Verse 23

Genesis 42:15-20, Genesis 43:3, Genesis 43:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:20 - bring 2 Samuel 3:13 - Thou shalt

Verse 24

we told him: Genesis 42:29-34

Verse 25

Genesis 43:2, Genesis 43:5

Verse 26

Genesis 43:4, Genesis 43:5, Luke 11:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:8 - lad with me Genesis 44:12 - and the cup 2 Samuel 3:13 - Thou shalt

Verse 27

Genesis 29:18-21, Genesis 29:28, Genesis 30:22-25, Genesis 35:16-18, Genesis 46:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 29:30 - he loved Genesis 35:18 - Benjamin Genesis 42:4 - Lest Genesis 42:38 - his brother Genesis 44:20 - he alone

Verse 28

the one: Genesis 37:13, Genesis 37:14

Surely: Genesis 37:33, Genesis 42:36, Genesis 42:38

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:13 - one is not Genesis 45:26 - And Jacob's

Verse 29

And if: Genesis 42:36, Genesis 42:38, Genesis 43:14, Psalms 88:3, Psalms 88:4

sorrow: Genesis 44:31, Genesis 42:38, Deuteronomy 31:17, Psalms 88:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:35 - For I Ecclesiastes 12:5 - the almond

Verse 30

When I: Genesis 44:17, Genesis 44:31, Genesis 44:34

his life: 1 Samuel 18:1, 1 Samuel 25:29, 2 Samuel 18:33

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:22 - his father would die Deuteronomy 24:6 - life 1 Samuel 23:15 - life Lamentations 4:20 - breath

Verse 31

when he: 1 Samuel 4:17, 1 Samuel 4:18, 2 Corinthians 7:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13

servants shall: Genesis 44:29, Genesis 37:26, Genesis 37:27, Genesis 37:35, 1 Samuel 22:22

grave: Genesis 44:29, Genesis 37:35

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:38 - bring Genesis 44:30 - When I 1 Kings 2:9 - his Ecclesiastes 12:5 - the almond

Verse 32

Genesis 43:8, Genesis 43:9, Genesis 43:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:37 - Slay my Genesis 44:16 - Judah Job 17:3 - put me Proverbs 6:1 - if thou be Hebrews 7:22 - a surety

Verse 33

therefore: What must Benjamin have felt when he heard his brother conclude his speech by a proposal which could never have been thought of if it had not been actually made! Perhaps the annals of the whole world do not produce an instance of so heroic and disinterested affection in any mere man.

I pray thee: Exodus 32:32, Romans 5:7-10, Romans 9:3

instead: Hebrews 7:22, 1 John 3:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:9 - will be Genesis 44:10 - he with whom 1 Samuel 25:24 - Upon 2 Samuel 24:17 - let thine 1 Kings 18:7 - my lord Elijah 1 Chronicles 21:17 - let thine Proverbs 6:1 - if thou be

Verse 34

lest: 1 Samuel 2:33, 1 Samuel 2:34, 2 Chronicles 34:28, Esther 8:6, Jeremiah 52:10, Jeremiah 52:11

come on: Heb. find, Exodus 18:8, Job 31:29, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 119:143, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:16 - Let Genesis 44:30 - When I 1 Samuel 25:24 - Upon 2 Kings 25:7 - they slew Ecclesiastes 3:7 - and a time to speak Jeremiah 39:6 - before Lamentations 3:51 - eye