Genesis 44:2 kjv

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.

Genesis 44:2 nkjv

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.

Genesis 44:2 niv

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.

Genesis 44:2 esv

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.

Genesis 44:2 nlt

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.

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 2 Meaning

This verse details Joseph's explicit instruction to his steward to plant his valuable silver cup and the money (that was also returned to them, implying double criminality) into the sack belonging to his youngest brother, Benjamin. This act is the pivotal setup for Joseph's final and most intense test of his brothers' transformed character and loyalty.

Genesis 44 2 Context

This verse is at the very beginning of Genesis chapter 44. Immediately preceding it, Joseph has just instructed his steward to fill the brothers' sacks with grain and to return their money, placing it inside each sack. This act sets up a prior element of "found" money. Now, Joseph elevates his plan by specifically commanding the planting of his highly personal and valuable silver cup into Benjamin's sack, along with Benjamin's money. This elaborate scheme aims to replicate and intensify the despair of an apparent crime, similar to when Joseph himself was sold. It serves as a decisive test of his brothers' repentance and whether they would abandon Benjamin, their father's cherished youngest son, or bravely intercede for him, revealing their transformation since betraying Joseph. The stakes are profoundly personal and spiritual.

Genesis 44 2 Word analysis

• And put: wa-yāśem (וַיָּשֶׂם). A strong imperative verb indicating Joseph's direct, calculated instruction and control over the events. It highlights his deliberate orchestration of the situation.

• my cup: kôsî (כּוֹסִי). The possessive "my" emphasizes that it is Joseph's personal possession, making its "theft" particularly egregious. Later verses (Gen 44:5, 15) reveal it was considered his "divination cup," further escalating the severity of the alleged crime from mere theft to an act that could imply sorcery or disruption of governmental spiritual practice in an Egyptian context, which would have carried very heavy penalties.

• the silver cup: hak-kôs hak-kesef. This specifies the material, emphasizing its high value and status. The repetition of "cup" and specification as "silver" adds weight and distinctiveness to the object. Silver (kesef) itself connects to wealth and value, creating a link to the money also placed in the sack.

• in the mouth: be-pî (בְּפִי). Literally "in the opening" or "at the mouth" of the sack. This implies strategic placement, not hidden deeply. It ensures relatively easy discovery during the subsequent search, crucial for the dramatic confrontation Joseph intends.

• of the sack: śaq (שַׂק). The common storage bag for grain. Placing the valuable cup within a seemingly innocuous container emphasizes the apparent clandestine nature of the 'crime.'

• of the youngest: haq-qāṭōn (הַקָּטֹן). Refers specifically to Benjamin, Joseph's full brother and Jacob's current favorite. By targeting Benjamin, Joseph creates the ultimate emotional and ethical test for the older brothers, striking at their father's deepest affection and their own consciences regarding the abandonment of a younger brother.

• and his money: wəḵaspô (וְכַסְפּוֹ). "His silver/money." This refers to the payment for the grain, which had already been previously placed in their sacks (Gen 42:25, 43:21). Including it alongside the cup suggests not just theft but also perhaps an ongoing pattern of deceit, amplifying the accusation against Benjamin and making his perceived guilt seem indisputable. This twofold accusation compounds the severity.

• "put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack": This phrase group signifies Joseph's precise and deliberate setting of the trap. The specificity of "my cup" and "the silver cup" elevates the perceived value of the stolen item, making the 'crime' significant. The strategic placement "in the mouth of the sack" ensures discoverability, key to the unfolding drama.

• "of the youngest, and his money": This part highlights the chosen target and the nature of the combined incriminating evidence. Targeting "the youngest" creates the highest emotional tension and a direct test of brotherhood. The inclusion of "his money" makes Benjamin's perceived guilt look even more cunning and premeditated, adding an extra layer of false accusation.

Genesis 44 2 Bonus section

• The "silver" aspect mentioned twice (for the cup and for the money) subtly unifies the charges against Benjamin. It links value, alleged theft, and the previous confusion over the money, thereby making the staged accusation more coherent and compelling from Joseph's perspective.
• Joseph's actions here, while involving a form of deception, are part of a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative. They parallel how God often uses unexpected or difficult circumstances to test faith, expose true character, and ultimately lead to spiritual growth and the fulfillment of His purposes, rather than being mere human cunning.
• The placement of the cup at the mouth of the sack implies a less concealed, almost overt plant, ensuring discovery. This meticulous detail demonstrates Joseph's absolute control over the situation and his intent to create immediate, unavoidable confrontation rather than a prolonged search.

Genesis 44 2 Commentary

Genesis 44:2 is the pivotal instruction that sets in motion Joseph's master plan to test his brothers. By orchestrating the planting of his valuable silver cup, associated with authority and perhaps divination, along with the returned money, into Benjamin's sack, Joseph meticulously constructs an inescapable situation. This engineered crisis is designed not merely for accusation but as a spiritual crucible. It aims to reveal whether his brothers, particularly Judah, have truly transformed from their callous betrayal of Joseph decades earlier (Gen 37) to one of selfless loyalty and protective intercession for Benjamin, their father's remaining cherished son. Joseph’s method, while seemingly manipulative, is understood in Scripture as a divinely purposed instrument to achieve reconciliation and manifest God's overarching plan of preservation for Jacob's family. It forces the brothers to confront their past actions and demonstrate genuine change.