Genesis — Chapter 44
King James Version (KJV)
Reading Mode: 📖 Read the complete KJV chapter below. After verse 34, continue to 📚 Study This Chapter for explanations and memory checks.
Genesis 44:1 And he commanded RTthe 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.
Genesis 44:2 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.
Genesis 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
Genesis 44:4 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, RWherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
Genesis 44:5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he RTdivineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
Genesis 44:6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
Genesis 44:7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Genesis 44:8 Behold, Rthe 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 44:9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, Rboth let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.
Genesis 44:10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: Rhe with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
Genesis 44:11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
Genesis 44:12 And he searched, and Rbegan at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
Genesis 44:13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
Genesis 44:14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; for Rhe was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
Genesis 44:15 And Joseph said unto them, RWhat deed is this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly Tdivine?
Genesis 44:16 And RJudah 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.
Genesis 44:17 And he said, RGod 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 44:18 Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, Rlet 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.
Genesis 44:19 RMy lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
Genesis 44:20 And Rwe 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.
Genesis 44:21 And thou saidst unto thy servants, RBring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
Genesis 44:22 And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, Rhis father would die.
Genesis 44:23 And thou saidst unto thy servants, Except your youngest brother come down with you, ye shall see my face no more.
Genesis 44:24 And it came to pass when we came up unto thy servant my father, Rwe told him the words of my lord.
Genesis 44:25 RAnd our father said, Go again, and buy us a little food.
Genesis 44:26 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.
Genesis 44:27 And thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife bare me two sons:
Genesis 44:28 And Rthe one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
Genesis 44:29 RAnd if ye take this also from me, and mischief befall him, ye shall bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Genesis 44:30 Now therefore Rwhen 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;
Genesis 44:31 It shall come to pass, Rwhen 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.
Genesis 44:32 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.
Genesis 44:33 Now therefore, RI pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.
Genesis 44:34 For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? Rlest peradventure I see the evil that shall Tcome on my father.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 44:1–13 — The Silver Cup
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Joseph orders his silver cup placed in the youngest brother’s sack. The steward overtakes the brothers, the cup is found with Benjamin, and they tear their clothes and return.
Key Truth: The planted cup brings the brothers back to face a further test.
Check What You Remember
1. What kind of cup did Joseph order placed in the youngest brother’s sack? (Genesis 44:2)
Find it in Genesis 44:2 (KJV).
2. In whose sack was the cup found? (Genesis 44:12)
Find it in Genesis 44:12 (KJV).
3. What did the brothers do to their clothes? (Genesis 44:13)
Find it in Genesis 44:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 44:14–17 — The Brothers Face Joseph
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Judah speaks for the brothers and acknowledges their iniquity before God. Joseph says that only the man with the cup must remain as his servant.
Key Truth: The proposed outcome would allow the others to leave Benjamin behind.
Check What You Remember
1. Who spoke when the brothers returned to Joseph? (Genesis 44:16)
Find it in Genesis 44:16 (KJV).
2. Who did Judah say had found out their iniquity? (Genesis 44:16)
Find it in Genesis 44:16 (KJV).
3. Who did Joseph say must remain as his servant? (Genesis 44:17)
Find it in Genesis 44:17 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 44:18–34 — Judah Pleads for Benjamin
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Judah describes their father’s love for Benjamin and the sorrow his absence would cause. Having become surety for the lad, Judah offers to remain a bondman in his place.
Key Truth: Judah shows his willingness to bear the cost rather than abandon Benjamin.
Check What You Remember
1. Who came near to plead with Joseph? (Genesis 44:18)
Find it in Genesis 44:18 (KJV).
2. For whom had Judah become surety? (Genesis 44:32)
Find it in Genesis 44:32 (KJV).
3. Who offered to remain a bondman instead of the lad? (Genesis 44:33)
Find it in Genesis 44:33 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the steward’s stated penalty differ from the brothers’ proposal?
2. Why is the sequence of the search significant within the account?
3. How does Joseph’s proposal test what the brothers will do about Benjamin?
4. How does Judah explain the danger Benjamin’s absence would pose to their father?
5. How does Judah’s final offer fulfill his stated responsibility for Benjamin?
Notes
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