Genesis 44:17 kjv

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.

Genesis 44:17 nkjv

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."

Genesis 44:17 niv

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."

Genesis 44:17 esv

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."

Genesis 44:17 nlt

"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."

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 17 Meaning

This verse records Joseph's seemingly firm declaration following the staged discovery of his silver cup in Benjamin's sack. He states that only Benjamin, in whose possession the cup was "found," would remain his servant, while the other brothers were free to return in peace to their father. This pronouncement serves as the crucial pivot in Joseph's intricate test, forcing the brothers to choose between abandoning their youngest sibling, much as they once abandoned Joseph, or demonstrating true fraternal solidarity and transformation. It sets the stage for Judah's heartfelt intercession.

Genesis 44 17 Context

Genesis chapter 44 is the dramatic climax of Joseph's extended testing of his brothers. Following the first visit to Egypt, where Simeon was held captive and the money returned to their sacks (Gen 42), the famine forced Jacob to reluctantly send Benjamin with them on their second journey. Joseph orchestrates a lavish feast (Gen 43) but then immediately puts his final, most severe test into motion. He commands his steward to place his silver divination cup in Benjamin's sack, along with his grain money. Upon their departure, the steward pursues them, accuses them, and discovers the cup, thus creating a false premise for Benjamin's servitude. The brothers return in distress, tearing their clothes. This specific verse, Gen 44:17, is Joseph's pronouncement of his "judgment" to the distressed brothers, asserting that only the "guilty" one, Benjamin, will bear the consequences, while the rest are free. This forces Judah's poignant and desperate plea for Benjamin, revealing the profound change in the brothers' character and their unified loyalty, contrasting sharply with their previous betrayal of Joseph (Gen 37). The overarching context is divine providence working through human choices, ultimately leading to family reconciliation and the preservation of God's chosen line.

Genesis 44 17 Word analysis

• And he said, (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyōʾmer):

  • Word Level: Hebrew common verb for "to say" or "to speak." Introduces Joseph's authoritative pronouncement. Its simple, direct nature emphasizes the immediate impact of his words on his brothers.
  • Significance: Highlights Joseph's controlled delivery and measured tone as he executes his plan. He speaks with the authority of the Vizier.

• God forbid (חָלִילָה לִּי - ḥālîlâ llî):

  • Word Level: This phrase literally means "a profanation to me" or "far be it from me." It is a strong oath or expression of detestation, rejecting an action as unthinkable, abominable, or impious. It often invokes God indirectly or implicitly. It implies that such an action (punishing all of them for one person's perceived crime) would be morally reprehensible to him and would defile his judicial standards.
  • Significance: Joseph's powerful refusal to punish all the brothers for Benjamin's "crime" emphasizes his apparent sense of justice. This heightens the drama and frames his offer as a merciful concession, making the brothers' potential acceptance of it (and thus Benjamin's abandonment) a true test of their moral character. It also cleverly contrasts with the injustice he faced when sold into slavery.

• that I should do so (עֲשֹוֹת זֹאת - ʿăśōwt zōʾt):

  • Word Level: "To do this/so." Refers back to their earlier suggestion that they all become his servants if the cup were found amongst them (Gen 44:9-10). Joseph rejects their proposed collective punishment.
  • Significance: By refusing the extreme measure they suggested, Joseph appears magnanimous and righteous, thereby setting the precise terms of the test. He corners them into the position of either accepting his "just" offer or further desperate action.

• but (כִּי אִם - kî ʾim):

  • Word Level: A conjunction meaning "but only" or "except for." Introduces a contrast or an exception to the preceding statement.
  • Significance: Sharpens the focus on the chosen consequence. It sets a strict condition for the release of the other brothers, making the burden fall exclusively on Benjamin.

• the man (הָאִישׁ - hāʾîš):

  • Word Level: Hebrew for "the man." Refers specifically to Benjamin.
  • Significance: Points directly to Benjamin, isolating him as the object of punishment, thereby magnifying the ethical dilemma for his brothers.

• in whose hand (אֲשֶׁר נִמְצָא - ʾăšer nimṣāʾ):

  • Word Level: Literally "that was found." "In his hand" or "in his possession." The cup was placed in his sack, which counts as being "in his hand/possession." The verb nimṣāʾ is in the Nifal (passive) stem, emphasizing that the cup was found, rather than implying Benjamin actively took it.
  • Significance: Reinforces the "evidence" of Benjamin's "guilt," adding to the deceptive premise. It points to the concrete discovery that Joseph engineered.

• the cup (הַגָּבִ֤יעַ - hagāḇîaʿ):

  • Word Level: Hebrew for "the cup" or "goblet." This is the central prop in Joseph's charade. It's previously identified as Joseph's personal cup by which he supposedly "divines."
  • Significance: The object that precipitates the entire crisis. Its presence in Benjamin's bag creates the false accusation and the dilemma. The "divination" aspect, though a ruse, hints at an apparent spiritual dimension of the "crime."

• is found, he shall be my servant (בְיָדוֹ ה֖וּא יִֽהְיֶה לִּי עָֽבֶד - beyāḏō hūʾ yihyeh lī ʿāḇeḏ):

  • Word Level: "He shall be to me a servant." The word ʿeved (servant/slave) denotes a bondman or permanent household servant. In ancient Near Eastern context, such servitude could be for debt, crime, or captured enemies, and was distinct from paid labor.
  • Significance: This is the core "sentence." Joseph's terms demand permanent servitude for Benjamin, a severe punishment that would separate him irrevocably from his family and father. This severe condition directly tests the brothers' love and their commitment to Benjamin and their father, forcing them to confront the potential repetition of their past sin against Joseph.

• and as for you, get you up (וְאַתֶּם עֲלוּ - wĕʾattem ʿălû):

  • Word Level: "And as for you, go up." The plural imperative "go up" indicates a return journey, geographically from lower Egypt to higher Canaan.
  • Significance: A direct command offering the other brothers a path to freedom. This explicitly pits Benjamin's fate against their own, pressuring them to leave him.

• in peace (לְשָׁלוֹם - lešālōm):

  • Word Level: Hebrew šālôm encompasses wholeness, completeness, prosperity, well-being, harmony, and absence of strife, not merely lack of conflict. It's a deep state of flourishing.
  • Significance: The offer of peace highlights the stark contrast with Benjamin's grim fate. It makes Joseph's "mercy" appear even more attractive, compelling the brothers to choose between their own "peace" and Benjamin's fate. It foreshadows the true peace and reconciliation that Joseph ultimately intends.

• unto your father (אֶל אֲבִיכֶם - ʾel ʾăḇîkem):

  • Word Level: "To your father." Refers to Jacob.
  • Significance: Jacob's well-being and life are inextricably linked to Benjamin's safety (Gen 44:30-31). This direct reference intensifies the test for the brothers, as they are faced with the potential grief of Jacob if they return without his beloved youngest son.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "God forbid that I should do so: but...": This opening powerfully establishes Joseph's "righteousness" in rejecting their collective self-sacrifice, setting the stage for his seemingly fair but deeply manipulative proposal. It frames his judgment as one of selective justice rather than sweeping punishment, putting immense psychological pressure on the brothers.
  • "...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.": This complete sentence is the ultimate setup for the dramatic climax. It offers the enticing path of freedom ("peace," "unto your father") alongside the horrifying consequence for Benjamin ("shall be my servant"). This forces the brothers to weigh immediate self-preservation against the protection of their kin, directly testing whether they have truly reformed from their earlier treachery regarding Joseph. The juxtaposition is masterfully crafted to elicit their response of intercession.

Genesis 44 17 Bonus section

The narrative of Genesis 44:17, though part of a human deception orchestrated by Joseph, profoundly illustrates divine principles. Firstly, it underscores God's sovereignty working through secondary causes. Joseph's actions, while manipulative, are ultimately aligned with God's overarching purpose to preserve Israel and bring Jacob's family to Egypt to escape famine (Gen 50:20). Secondly, it is a powerful demonstration of transformation and grace. The testing reveals not only the changed character of the brothers—particularly Judah—but also prepares them to receive the revelation of Joseph's identity, leading to repentance and reconciliation within the family. This intricate drama can be seen as a microcosm of God's redemptive plan, where trials expose truth, character is forged, and grace paves the way for restoration, demonstrating how even perceived punishment (Benjamin's servitude) can serve as a catalyst for a deeper spiritual understanding and communal bond.

Genesis 44 17 Commentary

Genesis 44:17 is a pivotal statement within Joseph's elaborate scheme to test his brothers and engineer the family's move to Egypt. Joseph, now in a position of power, consciously recreates a scenario similar to his own betrayal: an innocent brother is seemingly condemned, requiring a difficult moral choice from the rest. His declaration of "God forbid" (ḥālîlâ llî) adds a powerful touch of dramatic irony, as the justice he espouses stands in stark contrast to the profound injustice he suffered at their hands. By refusing to punish all, and instead focusing solely on Benjamin, Joseph magnifies the moral dilemma for the brothers.

The statement's core is the command: "he shall be my servant." This would effectively sever Benjamin from Jacob, mimicking Jacob's previous loss of Joseph. The "peace" offered to the other brothers is a cruel temptation, presenting them with a seemingly easy escape from dire consequences. This precise targeting of Benjamin pushes Judah, the very brother who proposed selling Joseph, to step forward and offer himself as a substitute (Gen 44:33). This is the crucial moment that validates Joseph's testing: the brothers' transformation is revealed through their corporate loyalty and Judah's self-sacrificial love, contrasting sharply with their previous envy and callousness. This scene prefigures the depth of redemptive love, where one bears the burden for another, echoing principles of sacrifice and intercession seen later in biblical narratives and ultimately in Christ.