Genesis 44:8 kjv

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?

Genesis 44:8 nkjv

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?

Genesis 44:8 niv

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?

Genesis 44:8 esv

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?

Genesis 44:8 nlt

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?

Genesis 44 verses

Genesis 44 8 Meaning

Genesis 44:8 is a poignant declaration by Joseph's brothers, vigorously asserting their innocence concerning the missing silver cup. They argue that if they were so scrupulous as to travel back to return the "money" (silver) they found unexpectedly in their sacks from their previous trip to Egypt, why would they now steal far more valuable "silver or gold" from a high official's house? It's a rhetorical question meant to demonstrate their deep sense of integrity and outrage at the accusation, contrasting their perceived honesty in the previous incident with the gravity of the current charge. This declaration ironically highlights their ignorance of Joseph's testing and their deeper, unconfessed guilt regarding him.

Genesis 44 8 Context

Genesis 44:8 is situated within Joseph's intricate plan to test his brothers and bring them to a point of confession and true repentance, particularly concerning their past actions against him. Having already arranged for their money to be returned to their sacks (Gen 42:25, 43:21), thus setting up a pretense of honesty on their part, Joseph now escalates the test. He instructs his steward to place his personal silver cup into Benjamin's sack (Gen 44:1-2). When the brothers are pursued and the cup "discovered" in Benjamin's bag, the steward confronts them (Gen 44:6-7). This verse is their immediate, indignant response to the accusation. Their impassioned denial serves as a dramatic setup for Judah's self-sacrificing plea in the verses that follow, ultimately revealing the profound change in their character since their first encounter with Joseph. The historical context involves an Egyptian ruler's authority and the severe consequences of theft, particularly from royal or official households.

Genesis 44 8 Word analysis

• Behold (Heb. הִנֵּה, hinnēh): An emphatic interjection, calling immediate attention to their statement. It signals surprise, exasperation, and highlights the gravity of their subsequent assertion.
• the money (Heb. הַכֶּסֶף, hakkeseph): Refers specifically to "the silver" returned to them, implying precious metal used as currency. This connects directly to the previous incident, serving as their proof of character.
• which we found (Heb. אֲשֶׁר מָצָאנוּ, asher matzanu): Emphasizes that it was discovered by them, not deliberately hidden, distinguishing their finding from an act of theft or deceit.
• in our sacks' mouths (Heb. בְּפִי אַמְתְּחֹתֵינוּ, bəp̄î 'amtaḥotênu): A precise detail referring to the opening of their grain sacks. This specific recollection lends credibility to their claim and links it directly to Joseph's earlier manipulation of events.
• we brought again (Heb. הֱשִׁיבֹנוּ, heshibōnu): Literally, "we caused to return" (Hiphil stem). This signifies a deliberate, active, and virtuous choice to return what they found, underscoring their self-proclaimed integrity and honest intentions.
• unto thee out of the land of Canaan: Specifies the journey and effort involved in their act of honesty, highlighting the distance traveled to make restitution. This emphasizes their strong moral conviction, according to their own narrative.
• how then (Heb. וְאֵיךְ, ve'eikh): A rhetorical question expressing incredulity and indignation. It conveys their utter shock and dismissal of the possibility that they would commit such an act.
• should we steal (Heb. נִגְנֹב, niggnōv): The strong Hebrew verb for "to steal." They vigorously deny any intent or act of theft, especially contrasting it with their earlier upright behavior.
• silver or gold: Expands on "the money/silver" from the previous incident, now encompassing general and even greater valuables, elevating the perceived crime.
• out of thy lord's house?: Implies a higher degree of transgression—stealing from an official or powerful person's residence, which would be seen as a greater affront than common theft and a significant breach of trust.

Words-group analysis:

• "Behold, the money... we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan": This phrase encapsulates their core argument of past integrity. By voluntarily returning money they had "found," they present themselves as beyond suspicion for a more serious crime. This argument is built on Joseph's own contrivance, which makes their perceived honesty poignant yet ironic to the knowing reader.
• "how then should we steal silver or gold out of thy lord's house?": This rhetorical question is an indignant self-defense. It conveys extreme disbelief that they would commit such an act, portraying themselves as people of principle, completely innocent of the current charge and far more honest than the accusation suggests. The question sets a high bar of personal honor that, ironically, they had previously failed concerning Joseph.

Genesis 44 8 Bonus section

The brothers' insistence on their rectitude in this verse, immediately preceding Judah's profound act of self-sacrifice (Gen 44:33), showcases a significant shift in their collective character. In Gen 37, they displayed envy, hatred, and a readiness to deceive their father through a stolen coat; here, they show a strong, albeit imperfect, commitment to a perceived moral code and solidarity, willing to stake their lives and Benjamin's on it. Joseph's trials were designed not merely to find if they would abandon Benjamin, but also to bring to remembrance their original sin against him, causing them to reflect on deeper issues of responsibility and loyalty. The contrast between their present, outward display of indignation against a false charge and their actual complicity in a graver, true past wrongdoing against Joseph is a masterclass in biblical irony, highlighting how divine judgment and mercy often work through seemingly ordinary events to reveal and redeem.

Genesis 44 8 Commentary

Genesis 44:8 stands as a profound moment of irony and revelation within Joseph's meticulously crafted test. The brothers' fervent protestation of innocence, built upon their return of the initial money, serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of Joseph's strategy. Their words aim to establish a credibility based on integrity, suggesting their actions speak louder than the steward's accusations. However, the true significance lies not in their factual innocence concerning the cup (which Joseph planted), but in their deep conviction regarding this particular form of wrongdoing, contrasting sharply with their historical failure of integrity towards Joseph himself. This external declaration of honesty lays bare their inward blindness to their far greater unrighteousness. The verse brilliantly sets the stage for the dramatic confession of Judah and the ultimate unveiling of divine providence, which patiently works to bring deep-seated sin to the surface and facilitate true repentance and reconciliation. This verse reminds believers that outward appearances or even sincere self-perceptions can hide deeper, unaddressed sins that only divine wisdom, through a process of trials, can bring to light. It illustrates that God often uses seemingly adverse circumstances to draw out the truth of our hearts, leading to genuine transformation rather than mere superficial innocence.