Genesis 44:7 kjv
And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Genesis 44:7 nkjv
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.
Genesis 44:7 niv
But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!
Genesis 44:7 esv
They said to him, "Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
Genesis 44:7 nlt
"What are you talking about?" the brothers responded. "We are your servants and would never do such a thing!
Genesis 44 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 18:25 | Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked... | Emphatic denial "chalilah" to God |
| Deut 12:30 | ...that you inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods?' | Warning against adopting pagan ways |
| 1 Sam 2:30 | Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘Far be it from Me! | God's absolute repudiation |
| 1 Sam 20:2 | He said to him, “Far be it! You shall not die!..." | Jonathan's emphatic assurance to David |
| 1 Sam 20:9 | David said, "Far be it from you! If I knew that evil were determined by my father to come upon you..." | David's oath to Jonathan |
| Josh 24:16 | The people answered and said, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD... | Israel's collective pledge |
| Job 27:5 | Far be it from me that I should say you are right; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. | Job's resolute declaration of innocence |
| Psa 7:3-5 | O LORD my God, if I have done this...then let my enemy pursue my soul and overtake it... | Prayer invoking innocence/oath |
| Prov 28:13 | He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. | Contrast to unacknowledged guilt |
| Num 32:23 | "But if you fail to do this, behold, you will have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out." | Consequence of unconfessed sin |
| Gen 42:21 | Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother... | Brothers' past acknowledgement of sin |
| Gen 43:9 | Judah said to Israel his father, "I myself will be surety for him... | Judah's pledge for Benjamin |
| Gen 44:32-34 | For your servant became a surety for the lad to my father... | Judah's plea and self-sacrifice |
| Psa 51:3 | For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. | Confession of sin |
| Matt 26:33-35 | Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." | Peter's confident but flawed denial |
| Luke 18:11 | "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men...'" | Self-righteous claim of innocence |
| Gen 50:20 | But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good... | God's sovereign plan despite evil |
| Rom 6:1-2 | What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! | Paul's emphatic "chalilah" equivalent |
| Rom 7:7 | What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! | Another of Paul's strong denials |
| Prov 11:3 | The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. | Integrity vs. perversity |
| 2 Cor 6:8 | ...by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report... | Enduring false accusations |
| 1 Pet 3:16 | ...so that when they speak evil of you as evildoers, they may be ashamed... | False accusations leading to vindication |
Genesis 44 verses
Genesis 44 7 Meaning
Genesis 44:7 captures the intense disbelief and emphatic denial of Joseph's brothers when accused by Joseph's steward of stealing the silver cup. Their words reflect absolute shock and a profound sense of insult at the suggestion that they, as perceived men of integrity, would commit such a base act, particularly after returning the money previously found in their sacks.
Genesis 44 7 Context
Genesis 44:7 is a pivotal moment in Joseph's ongoing test of his brothers. After a sumptuous meal, Joseph orchestrates the planting of his silver cup in Benjamin's sack, then sends his steward to pursue and accuse them of theft. The brothers, unaware of the trap, are genuinely astonished and deeply offended by the accusation. This event follows their earlier return of the money found in their sacks from the first journey, a testament to their changed character regarding honesty. They vehemently deny the charge, unaware that this trial will push them to the brink, forcing them to confront the gravity of their past sin against Joseph (selling him into slavery) through the very real threat to Benjamin. The entire narrative functions as Joseph's strategic assessment of his brothers' transformation, particularly Judah's willingness to honor his pledge to Jacob and protect Benjamin, even at great personal cost.
Genesis 44 7 Word analysis
- And they said: Refers to Joseph's brothers, collectively responding with unified voices, indicating a shared indignation and perhaps a growing cohesion unlike their past fractured unity.
- to him: Directed at Joseph's steward, who acts as Joseph's representative and voice of accusation.
- 'Why does my lord speak such words as these?': An immediate reaction of shock and bewilderment. They challenge the very notion of such an accusation from a respected "lord," expressing their strong disbelief in its foundation. This phrase emphasizes the gravity of the accusation and their personal offense.
- Far be it from your servants: The Hebrew phrase is חָלִילָה לְעַבְדֶּיךָ (chalilah l'avdeykhah). "Chalilah" is an emphatic exclamation of strong disapproval, repugnance, or absolute negation, often translated as "God forbid," "by no means," or "never!" It implies a defilement or profanity at the very thought of the action. It's an oath-like expression indicating utter impossibility. The addition of "to your servants" further highlights their self-identification as humble and trustworthy, making the accusation morally repugnant to their character. This is a very strong protest, asserting their innocence with an almost sacred appeal.
- that they should do such a thing!': Specifies the action they are vehemently denying—the theft of the cup. This part completes their strong denial, indicating not only their personal innocence but also their ethical rejection of such an act. It underscores their conviction that such an act is fundamentally alien to who they are.
Words-group analysis:
- 'Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!': This complete phrase demonstrates a rapid transition from bewildered questioning of the accuser's judgment to an emphatic, almost religiously grounded, denial of the alleged act. It's a statement born of injured pride and a deep conviction of innocence concerning the present charge, highlighting the stark contrast between their perception and the hidden truth of Joseph's orchestrations. It also serves as dramatic irony, as they had done something terrible in the past (selling Joseph), but genuinely believed themselves innocent of this specific accusation.
Genesis 44 7 Bonus section
The emphatic Hebrew phrase chalilah (Far be it) is frequently used in the Old Testament to express a strong negative repulsion to a suggestion or idea, often invoking a sense of moral impossibility or even divine prohibition (e.g., Abraham's plea in Gen 18:25 concerning God destroying the righteous with the wicked). The brothers' use of this term here highlights their profound sense of injustice and implies their absolute confidence in their moral uprightness concerning this specific matter, underscoring the severity with which they view the accusation of theft. It's not merely a "no," but a deeply felt "absolutely not, how could you even suggest such a thing?" which, given their personal history of past transgressions, serves to illustrate their genuine character growth in terms of perceived external integrity.
Genesis 44 7 Commentary
Genesis 44:7 captures the dramatic tension in Joseph's narrative, showcasing his brothers' sincere indignation and emphatic denial of a theft they genuinely did not commit. Their use of "Far be it" (Hebrew: chalilah) reflects a strong moral repugnance and a declaration of their character as honest individuals, an ironic transformation given their past deceit against Joseph. This vehement protest is crucial for Joseph's test, revealing their evolved conscience and sense of integrity. The accusation serves as a mirror, holding them accountable not for the specific "cup," but for their deeper, unaddressed guilt from their earlier abandonment of Joseph, forcing them into a situation where their collective identity and loyalty to Benjamin (and thus to Jacob) are supremely tested. The verse emphasizes their belief in their present rectitude, setting the stage for the revelation of the "guilt" of one among them—Benjamin, whose "discovery" then precipitates Judah's ultimate act of selfless sacrifice, proving the brothers' profound change.