Genesis 44:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

[Is] not this [it] in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Isn't this the goblet my lord drinks from, indeed the one he uses for divination? What you have done is evil!'"

Berean Standard Bible:

Is this not the cup my master drinks from and uses for divination? What you have done is wicked!’”

American Standard Version:

Is not this that in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Is not this it in which my lord^{H113} drinketh^{H8354}, and whereby indeed^{H5172} he divineth^{H5172}? ye have done evil^{H7489} in so doing^{H6213}.

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Commentary for Genesis 44:5

**Genesis 44:5** is a part of the narrative where Joseph, who has risen to power in Egypt, is testing his brothers. The historical context is set during a famine that affected the entire region, prompting Joseph's brothers to travel to Egypt to buy grain. Unbeknownst to them, the Egyptian official they are dealing with is their brother Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery years earlier.

In this verse, Joseph is speaking to his brothers after they have returned to Egypt with their youngest brother, Benjamin, as Joseph had requested. Joseph has arranged for his own silver cup to be planted in Benjamin's sack, and then he accuses his brothers of stealing it. The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Testing and Providence**: Joseph is testing his brothers to see if they have changed since they betrayed him. He wants to know if they are now loyal to each other and to their father, Jacob. This reflects the theme of God's providence and the working out of His plans through human actions and moral choices.

2. **Deception and Accusation**: The verse captures the moment of false accusation, where Joseph's brothers are accused of theft, echoing the deception they once perpetrated against Joseph. This sets up a situation where they have the opportunity to act differently than they did in the past.

3. **Justice and Mercy**: The brothers' reaction to the accusation will determine Joseph's response. If they abandon Benjamin, it would show they have not changed, but if they defend him, it would demonstrate loyalty and moral growth. This tension between justice for the alleged theft and mercy towards his brothers is a central theme.

4. **Forgiveness and Reconciliation**: Ultimately, this event leads to the brothers' realization of their past wrongs and Joseph's subsequent revelation of his identity, paving the way for forgiveness and reconciliation within the family.

5. **Divine Sovereignty**: The mention of divination with the cup hints at the belief in divine guidance over human affairs. Throughout the narrative, God's hand is seen guiding the events to preserve the family of Israel, which will become a great nation according to God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

This verse is part of a larger story that illustrates the complex dynamics of a dysfunctional family being restored, the moral development of its characters, and the overarching theme of God's purposes being fulfilled even through human failings and difficult circumstances.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H113
   There are 337 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָדוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼâdôwn
   Pronunciation: aw-done'
   Description: or (shortened) אָדֹן; from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine); lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8354
   There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁתָה
   Transliteration: shâthâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.)
   
3. Strong's Number: H5172
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָחַשׁ
   Transliteration: nâchash
   Pronunciation: naw-khash'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate; [idiom] certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) [idiom] enchantment, learn by experience, [idiom] indeed, diligently observe.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7489
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָעַע
   Transliteration: râʻaʻ
   Pronunciation: raw-ah'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally); afflict, associate selves (by mistake for רָעָה), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for רָעָה), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.