Genesis 44 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Genesis 44 meaning explained in AI Summary

Joseph tests his brothers further by hiding his silver cup in Benjamin's sack. When the cup is discovered, Benjamin is accused of theft and is to be taken as a slave. However, Judah offers to take Benjamin's place, reminding Joseph of their father's love for Benjamin.

Joseph's brothers return to Egypt to buy grain during the famine, unaware that the powerful official they face is Joseph himself. To test his brothers' character and their feelings towards Benjamin, Joseph secretly plants his silver cup in Benjamin's sack.

The Setup:

Joseph instructs his steward to secretly place his silver cup in Benjamin's sack as they prepare to leave.
After the brothers depart, Joseph sends his steward after them, accusing them of stealing the cup.
The brothers are horrified by the accusation, proclaiming their innocence and swearing they would never steal.

The Search and Discovery:

The brothers unpack their sacks, and to their shock, the cup is found in Benjamin's.
They tear their clothes in despair and return to Egypt.

Judah's Plea:

Judah, who had previously guaranteed Benjamin's safety to their father Jacob, pleads with Joseph for mercy.
He offers himself as a slave in Benjamin's place, fearing the devastating impact Benjamin's loss would have on their father.

The Emotional Impact:

This chapter highlights the emotional turmoil and transformation the brothers have undergone.
They are no longer the jealous siblings who sold Joseph into slavery.
Judah's willingness to sacrifice himself for Benjamin demonstrates their newfound sense of responsibility and love for their family.

The Cliffhanger:

The chapter ends with Joseph witnessing his brothers' remorse and Judah's heartfelt plea.
It sets the stage for the dramatic revelation of Joseph's true identity in the following chapter.

Genesis 44 bible study ai commentary

This chapter represents the climactic test of Joseph's brothers. It is a crucible designed by Joseph to reveal whether their hearts have truly changed since they sold him into slavery. The central themes are the test of character, genuine repentance, selfless intercession, and substitutionary atonement, all powerfully displayed through Judah's transformation and plea, which ultimately moves Joseph to reveal himself.

Genesis 44 context

In the Ancient Near East, and particularly in Egypt, a high official like Joseph (Zaphnath-paaneah) would have a chief steward managing his entire household, possessing significant delegated authority. The silver cup (gavîa‘) was not merely a drinking vessel; its alleged use for divination (lecanomancy, scrying with water) made it an object of power and mystery, making its theft a grave offense against a powerful ruler. The concept of surety ('ārab), where an individual legally pledges themself or their property as security for another, was a serious and binding cultural and legal practice.

Genesis 44:1-2

And he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.

In-depth-analysis

This is the third time money is returned to their sacks, continuing the test of their honesty and increasing their potential culpability.
The Cup (gavîa‘): A specific, personal, and valuable object belonging to the ruler. Its placement in Benjamin's sack is the critical element of the test.
The Youngest: Joseph specifically targets Benjamin, the other son of his mother Rachel and his father's new favorite. This forces the brothers to confront their old sin of jealousy and abandonment. Will they sacrifice another son of Rachel to save themselves?
The steward acts with perfect obedience, highlighting Joseph's absolute authority.

Bible references

Gen 42:25: Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with grain... and to restore every man’s money to his sack. (Repetition of the test)
Gen 43:21: ...when we came to the lodging place... each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack. (Their previous experience with the returned money)

Cross references

Prov 17:3 (testing hearts); Jer 17:10 (searching the heart); Zec 13:9 (refining test).

Genesis 44:3-6

As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. They had gone only a short distance from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’” When he overtook them, he spoke to them these same words.

In-depth-analysis

"Why have you repaid evil for good?": This accusation is intensely ironic. The brothers are accused of betraying Joseph's apparent goodness, but the words echo their own real and profound betrayal of Joseph years ago.
Divination (nachesh yenachesh): Joseph's claim to practice divination is part of his Egyptian disguise. It serves to intimidate the brothers and explain how he "knows" things (like their family details and now, the "theft"). His true source of knowledge is God.
This act is not meant to endorse divination, which is later forbidden in the Torah, but to use a tool of fear and authority his brothers would recognize and understand.

Bible references

Deut 18:10: There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices divination or tells fortunes. (Israel's prohibition against this practice)
1 Sam 24:17: And he [Saul] said to David, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.” (The principle of repaying good for good)

Cross references

Psa 35:12 (repaying evil for good); Rom 12:17 (repay no one evil for evil); 1 Pet 3:9 (do not repay evil for evil).

Genesis 44:7-13

They said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!... the money that we found... we brought back to you... How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.” ...And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Then they tore their clothes... and returned to the city.

In-depth-analysis

The brothers' defense is logical; their past honesty in returning the money is proof of their integrity.
Rash Vow: Their offer, "Whichever... is found with it shall die, and we also will be... servants," is rash and absolute. They are so certain of their collective innocence that they wager everything. Compare this to Jacob's rash vow regarding the idols (Gen 31:32).
The Steward's Mercy: The steward shrewdly lessens their vow: "Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent" (v. 10). This isolates the "guilty" party, heightening the test.
Tore Their Clothes: This is a crucial detail. Unlike their past indifference (Gen 37:29-35), they now show profound grief and solidarity. Tearing garments was an outward sign of deep internal anguish and mourning. They don't abandon Benjamin; they all return together. Their corporate unity is a sign of their change.

Bible references

Gen 37:29: When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes. (Reuben's solitary grief vs. their collective grief here)
Job 1:20: Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. (Tearing clothes as a sign of extreme grief/distress)

Cross references

Num 14:6 (Joshua and Caleb tear clothes); 2 Sam 1:11 (David tears clothes); Acts 14:14 (Paul and Barnabas tear clothes).

Genesis 44:14-17

When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house... they fell before him on the ground. Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?” And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? ...God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants... aAnd Joseph said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

In-depth-analysis

"God has found out the iniquity": Judah does not blame Benjamin or argue the evidence. He immediately interprets this calamity as divine justice for their past, unconfessed sin against Joseph. This is a moment of collective confession and acceptance of guilt.
The Final Test: Joseph offers them an easy way out. "Only the man... shall be my servant... you, go... in peace." He is offering them the exact choice they faced years ago: leave the favored son of Rachel in bondage in Egypt and go home to their father.
Judah refuses this offer, saying "we are my lord's servants," showing he will not separate himself from his brother. His transformation is evident.

Bible references

Psa 38:4: For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. (The feeling of being overtaken by past sin)
Lam 3:39: Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? (Acceptance of divine judgment)

Cross references

Prov 28:13 (confessing sin); Num 32:23 (be sure your sin will find you out); Josh 7:19-21 (Achan's confession).

Genesis 44:18-34

Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears... “I became a pledge of surety for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”

In-depth-analysis

This speech is a masterpiece of heartfelt, selfless intercession. Judah, the very one who suggested selling Joseph into slavery (Gen 37:26-27), is now willing to become a slave himself to save Benjamin and spare his father.
Surety/Pledge ('ārab'): Judah reminds Joseph he is the legal guarantor for Benjamin's safety. This is a binding commitment, and he intends to honor it with his own life and freedom.
Substitution: Judah’s plea, "let your servant remain instead of the boy," is the theological heart of the chapter. He offers himself as a substitute. This is a powerful foreshadowing of the substitutionary atonement of Christ.
Change of Heart: Judah's primary concern is not for himself, nor even Benjamin, but for the well-being of his father. "How can I go back to my father...? I fear to see the evil that would find my father." His love and compassion for Jacob are now paramount. This selfless love signals the completion of his moral and spiritual transformation.

Bible references

Heb 7:22: ...Jesus has become the guarantee (surety) of a better covenant. (Christ as the ultimate surety for believers).
Rom 5:8: but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (The essence of substitutionary atonement).
John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (Judah's willingness to lay down his freedom/life).
Philemon 1:18-19: If he has wronged you... charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. (Paul acting as a surety for Onesimus).

Cross references

Gen 43:9 (Judah's initial pledge); Isa 53:5-6 (the Suffering Servant); Gal 3:13 (redeemed from the curse by becoming a curse for us); 1 Pet 3:18 (Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous).

Polemics: While Joseph’s methods seem deceptive, many scholars and theologians see them as a form of "severe mercy." The ordeal was necessary to expose the sin, bring forth true repentance, and heal the family on a foundational level. The trauma of the test was the only medicine strong enough for the deep wound of their past betrayal. Joseph uses the tools of a pagan culture (divination claims) but for a divine purpose: the reconciliation and redemption of his family.

Genesis chapter 44 analysis

The Transformation of Judah: The chapter's primary focus is the character arc of Judah. He moves from being a callous opportunist (Gen 37) to a selfless, sacrificial leader. His willingness to substitute himself for Benjamin solidifies the ascendancy of his tribe, which Jacob will later confirm in his blessing (Gen 49:8-12), from which would come the line of David and ultimately, the Messiah.
True Repentance: The chapter provides a powerful biblical model of repentance. It is more than sorrow for being caught; it includes (1) acknowledging divine justice ("God has found out the iniquity"), (2) accepting responsibility without blame-shifting, and (3) a willingness to make sacrificial restitution (Judah's offer).
A Test of Love: Joseph's entire scheme is a test to see if the brothers have learned to love. By threatening the new favored son, he gauges their capacity for jealousy versus their capacity for protective, sacrificial love for their brother and father. Judah's speech is the proof that love has won.
Typology of Christ: Judah's intercession is one of the clearest Old Testament types of Christ.
- He is of the messianic line.
- He stands before the judge on behalf of the guilty.
- He is a surety ('ārab), a guarantor.
- He offers himself as a substitute to save his condemned brother and restore him to the father.

Genesis 44 summary

Joseph orchestrates a final, severe test by planting his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. When it is discovered, the brothers display true remorse, and unlike their past actions, return united in their grief. Confronted by Joseph, Judah steps forward as a surety and delivers a passionate plea, confessing their collective guilt and offering himself as a substitute slave in Benjamin's place to spare his father from fatal grief. This act of sacrificial love proves the brothers' repentance is genuine, breaking Joseph's emotional restraint and setting the stage for his self-revelation.

Genesis 43 AI Genesis 45 AI

Genesis 44 AI Image Audio and Video

Genesis chapter 44 kjv

¹ And he commanded the steward of his house, 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.
² And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
³ As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
⁴ And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
⁵ Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
⁶ And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
⁷ And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
⁸ Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?
⁹ With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
¹⁰ And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
¹¹ Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
¹² And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
¹³ Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
¹⁴ And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
¹⁵ And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?
¹⁶ And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
¹⁷ And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
¹⁸ Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
²⁰ And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
²¹ And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
²² And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.
²³ And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
²⁴ And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
²⁵ And our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
²⁶ And we said, We cannot go down: if our youngest brother be with us, then will we go down: for we may not see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us.
²⁷ And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
²⁸ And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
²⁹ And if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
³⁰ Now therefore when I come to thy servant my father, and the lad be not with us; seeing that his life is bound up in the lad's life;
³¹ It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
³² For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever.
³³ Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
³⁴ For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.

Genesis chapter 44 nkjv

¹ And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack.
² Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money." So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.
³ As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.
⁴ When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good?
⁵ Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.' "
⁶ So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.
⁷ And they said to him, "Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing.
⁸ Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house?
⁹ With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves."
¹⁰ And he said, "Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless."
¹¹ Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack.
¹² So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
¹³ Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.
¹⁴ So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.
¹⁵ And Joseph said to them, "What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?"
¹⁶ Then Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found."
¹⁷ But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father."
¹⁸ Then Judah came near to him and said: "O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.
¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father or a brother?'
²⁰ And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'
²¹ Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.'
²² And we said to my lord, 'The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'
²³ But you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.'
²⁴ "So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord.
²⁵ And our father said, 'Go back and buy us a little food.'
²⁶ But we said, 'We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'
²⁷ Then your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons;
²⁸ and the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn to pieces"; and I have not seen him since.
²⁹ But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'
³⁰ "Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad's life,
³¹ it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.
³² For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.'
³³ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.
³⁴ For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?"

Genesis chapter 44 niv

¹ Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack.
² Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said.
³ As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.
⁴ They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil?
⁵ Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.'?"
⁶ When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.
⁷ But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!
⁸ We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?
⁹ If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."
¹⁰ "Very well, then," he said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame."
¹¹ Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.
¹² Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
¹³ At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.
¹⁴ Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.
¹⁵ Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?"
¹⁶ "What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves?we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup."
¹⁷ But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace."
¹⁸ Then Judah went up to him and said: "Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.
¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
²⁰ And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'
²¹ "Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.'
²² And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.'
²³ But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'
²⁴ When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.
²⁵ "Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.'
²⁶ But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'
²⁷ "Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.
²⁸ One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces." And I have not seen him since.
²⁹ If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.'
³⁰ "So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life,
³¹ sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow.
³² Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'
³³ "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
³⁴ How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come on my father."

Genesis chapter 44 esv

¹ Then he commanded the steward of his house, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack,
² and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain." And he did as Joseph told him.
³ As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys.
⁴ They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good?
⁵ Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.'"
⁶ When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words.
⁷ They said to him, "Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
⁸ Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house?
⁹ Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord's servants."
¹⁰ He said, "Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent."
¹¹ Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack.
¹² And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
¹³ Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.
¹⁴ When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground.
¹⁵ Joseph said to them, "What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?"
¹⁶ And Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord's servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found."
¹⁷ But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father."
¹⁸ Then Judah went up to him and said, "Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.
¹⁹ My lord asked his servants, saying, 'Have you a father, or a brother?'
²⁰ And we said to my lord, 'We have a father, an old man, and a young brother, the child of his old age. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'
²¹ Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.'
²² We said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'
²³ Then you said to your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.'
²⁴ "When we went back to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.
²⁵ And when our father said, 'Go again, buy us a little food,'
²⁶ we said, 'We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'
²⁷ Then your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.
²⁸ One left me, and I said, "Surely he has been torn to pieces," and I have never seen him since.
²⁹ If you take this one also from me, and harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.'
³⁰ "Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy's life,
³¹ as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol.
³² For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, 'If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.'
³³ Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers.
³⁴ For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father."

Genesis chapter 44 nlt

¹ When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to his palace manager: "Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man's money back into his sack.
² Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother's sack, along with the money for his grain." So the manager did as Joseph instructed him.
³ The brothers were up at dawn and were sent on their journey with their loaded donkeys.
⁴ But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, "Chase after them and stop them. When you catch up with them, ask them, 'Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil?
⁵ Why have you stolen my master's silver cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!'"
⁶ When the palace manager caught up with the men, he spoke to them as he had been instructed.
⁷ "What are you talking about?" the brothers responded. "We are your servants and would never do such a thing!
⁸ Didn't we return the money we found in our sacks? We brought it back all the way from the land of Canaan. Why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?
⁹ If you find his cup with any one of us, let that man die. And all the rest of us, my lord, will be your slaves."
¹⁰ "That's fair," the man replied. "But only the one who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go free."
¹¹ They all quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them.
¹² The palace manager searched the brothers' sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack!
¹³ When the brothers saw this, they tore their clothing in despair. Then they loaded their donkeys again and returned to the city.
¹⁴ Joseph was still in his palace when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him.
¹⁵ "What have you done?" Joseph demanded. "Don't you know that a man like me can predict the future?"
¹⁶ Judah answered, "Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we explain this? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves ? all of us, not just our brother who had your cup in his sack."
¹⁷ "No," Joseph said. "I would never do such a thing! Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go back to your father in peace."
¹⁸ Then Judah stepped forward and said, "Please, my lord, let your servant say just one word to you. Please, do not be angry with me, even though you are as powerful as Pharaoh himself.
¹⁹ "My lord, previously you asked us, your servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
²⁰ And we responded, 'Yes, my lord, we have a father who is an old man, and his youngest son is a child of his old age. His full brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him very much.'
²¹ "And you said to us, 'Bring him here so I can see him with my own eyes.'
²² But we said to you, 'My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.'
²³ But you told us, 'Unless your youngest brother comes with you, you will never see my face again.'
²⁴ "So we returned to your servant, our father, and told him what you had said.
²⁵ Later, when he said, 'Go back again and buy us more food,'
²⁶ we replied, 'We can't go unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We'll never get to see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'
²⁷ "Then my father said to us, 'As you know, my wife had two sons,
²⁸ and one of them went away and never returned. Doubtless he was torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since.
²⁹ Now if you take his brother away from me, and any harm comes to him, you will send this grieving, white-haired man to his grave. '
³⁰ "And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father's life is bound up in the boy's life.
³¹ If he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We, your servants, will indeed be responsible for sending that grieving, white-haired man to his grave.
³² My lord, I guaranteed to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, 'If I don't bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.'
³³ "So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.
³⁴ For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn't bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!"