Genesis 44:15

KJV

And Joseph said unto them, What deed [is] this that ye have done? wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joseph {H3130} said {H559} unto them, What deed {H4639} is this that ye have done {H6213}? wot ye {H3045} not that such a man {H376} as I can certainly {H5172} divine {H5172}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Yosef said to them, "How could you do such a thing? Don't you know that a man such as myself can learn the truth by divination?"

Berean Standard Bible

“What is this deed you have done?” Joseph declared. “Do you not know that a man like me can surely divine the truth?”

American Standard Version

And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? know ye not that such a man as I can indeed divine?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Genesis 44:15, Joseph, still disguised as an Egyptian official, confronts his brothers after his silver cup is discovered in Benjamin's sack. This statement, delivered with feigned indignation and a claim to divinatory powers, is a pivotal moment in Joseph's elaborate test. It is designed to push his brothers to a point of profound self-revelation, forcing them to demonstrate their transformed character and commitment to Benjamin, thereby setting the stage for Joseph's long-awaited revelation and the family's eventual reconciliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 44:15 occurs at the climax of Joseph's intricate test of his brothers. Immediately preceding this verse, Joseph's steward, under Joseph's instruction, plants a silver divining cup in Benjamin's sack (Genesis 44:2). After the brothers depart, they are pursued, and the cup is "found," leading to their distraught return to Joseph's house (Genesis 44:13). Joseph's accusation in this verse directly follows their return, intensifying the dramatic tension. This meticulously orchestrated event forces the brothers to confront their past actions—specifically, their betrayal of Joseph (Genesis 37:28)—and reveals whether they have genuinely changed, particularly in their willingness to protect Benjamin, Jacob's youngest and now most favored son. The subsequent narrative, culminating in Judah's impassioned plea and Joseph's emotional revelation, hinges entirely on the brothers' response to this calculated pressure.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a land deeply steeped in polytheism and various forms of divination, including hydromancy (divination by water, often using a cup). Pharaohs and high officials often employed diviners, dream interpreters, and magicians. Joseph, as the vizier of Egypt, would naturally be assumed by his brothers, and by the Egyptians, to possess or utilize such powers, or at least to have access to those who did. His claim to "certainly divine" (H5172, *nâchash*) leverages this cultural understanding, lending credibility to his disguise and the severity of the "crime." While Joseph himself, a devout worshiper of Yahweh, explicitly attributed his dream interpretation abilities to God alone (as seen in his interaction with Pharaoh in [Genesis 41:16 "Joseph's Humble Acknowledgement of God's Power"]), he strategically adopts the persona of an Egyptian official who would engage in such practices to maintain his elaborate ruse and exert maximum psychological pressure on his brothers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Providence** working through human circumstances, even those involving deception, to bring about God's redemptive purposes for Israel (a theme profoundly articulated later in [Genesis 50:20 "Joseph's Statement on God's Redemptive Plan"]). The verse also underscores the theme of **Testing and Transformation**, as Joseph's actions are designed to expose the true character of his brothers and confirm their repentance, contrasting sharply with their earlier callousness (as depicted in [Genesis 37 "Joseph's Early Life and Betrayal"]). Furthermore, it plays into the theme of **Appearance vs. Reality**, where Joseph's outward persona as a powerful, seemingly pagan Egyptian official conceals his true identity as a faithful servant of God and his deep familial love. This dramatic irony is crucial for the narrative's resolution.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **deed (Hebrew, _maʻăseh'_):** From the root H6213 (*ʻâsâh*), meaning "to do or make." This word refers to an action, transaction, or work. Joseph uses it here to describe the "crime" of stealing his cup, framing it as a deliberate and reprehensible act. The term carries a moral weight, implying a transgression.
* **wot ye (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From the root H3045 (*yâdaʻ*), meaning "to know" or "to ascertain by seeing." The KJV's "wot ye not" is an archaic way of saying "do you not know?" Joseph's question implies a self-evident truth: they should have known better than to attempt such a thing against a man of his supposed abilities. It highlights his feigned surprise and indignation.
* **divine (Hebrew, _nâchash'_):** From the root H5172 (*nâchash*), meaning "to hiss," "whisper a magic spell," or "to prognosticate." This term refers to various forms of divination or sorcery, practices explicitly forbidden in Israelite law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:10 "Prohibition of Divination and Occult Practices"]). Joseph's use of this word is central to his ruse, portraying himself as an Egyptian official who possesses or utilizes such powers to detect wrongdoing. It is a strategic claim, not an admission of actual practice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joseph said unto them, What deed [is] this that ye have done?":** Joseph initiates the confrontation with a sharp, accusatory question, feigning ignorance and indignation. This rhetorical question is designed to immediately put his brothers on the defensive, forcing them to acknowledge the gravity of the alleged offense and setting the stage for their response. It highlights the dramatic irony, as Joseph himself orchestrated the "deed."
* **"wot ye not that such a man as I can certainly divine?":** This is the core of Joseph's strategic deception. The phrase "wot ye not" (do you not know?) emphasizes his supposed surprise that they would attempt to deceive someone of his stature and alleged supernatural insight. By claiming the ability to "certainly divine," Joseph leverages the prevailing Egyptian belief in divination, reinforcing his assumed identity as a powerful, discerning official who cannot be easily fooled. This claim serves to heighten the pressure on his brothers, making them believe their actions were not only wrong but also futile to conceal.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows Joseph's true identity and his orchestration of the events, while his brothers remain oblivious. Joseph's feigned indignation and claim of divinatory powers are entirely part of his elaborate ruse, creating a stark contrast between appearance and reality. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this intense confrontation and the brothers' subsequent response (particularly Judah's intercession) hint at the coming revelation and reconciliation. The use of a **Rhetorical Question** ("What deed [is] this...?") serves to immediately engage the brothers and demand an explanation, further cornering them in their predicament.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joseph's calculated use of deception and his claim to divinatory powers, though seemingly at odds with his true character as a faithful servant of God, serve a higher, divinely ordained purpose. This passage illustrates God's sovereign ability to work through complex human interactions, including those that appear morally ambiguous, to bring about His perfect will. Joseph's actions are not for personal gain or malice, but are a profound test designed to reveal the genuine transformation of his brothers' hearts and to prepare them for reconciliation and the preservation of the covenant family. This narrative underscores that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, orchestrating events to achieve redemptive outcomes that ultimately bring glory to His name and fulfill His promises.

* [Genesis 50:20 "Joseph's Profound Statement on God's Redemptive Plan"]
* [Romans 8:28 "All Things Work Together for Good"]
* [Hebrews 4:12-13 "God's Word Discerning Hearts"]

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 44:15, within its broader narrative, offers profound insights into God's intricate working in our lives. It reminds us that God often uses challenging, unexpected, and even seemingly paradoxical circumstances to refine our character, expose our true motives, and lead us toward repentance and deeper relationship with Him and with one another. Just as Joseph's brothers were brought to a point of self-reckoning, we too are often placed in situations that test our integrity, our loyalty, and our willingness to sacrifice for others. This passage encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when our immediate circumstances are confusing or painful, knowing that He is sovereignly orchestrating events for our good and His glory. It also highlights the transformative power of genuine repentance and the profound beauty of reconciliation, urging us to pursue these in our own relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might God be using difficult or confusing circumstances in my life to test my character or reveal areas for growth?**
* **In what ways am I being called to demonstrate genuine change or repentance in my relationships, particularly when past wrongs are involved?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His methods seem unclear or counterintuitive from my limited perspective?**

### FAQ
**Did Joseph truly practice divination?**

Answer: No, Joseph did not truly practice divination. The biblical narrative consistently portrays Joseph as a devout monotheist, a faithful servant of the one true God, Yahweh. When interpreting dreams for Pharaoh, Joseph explicitly stated, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer" ([Genesis 41:16 "Joseph's Humble Acknowledgement of God's Power"]). His claim to "certainly divine" in [Genesis 44:15 "Joseph's Claim to Divination"] was a strategic element of his elaborate disguise as an Egyptian official. Divination was a common practice in ancient Egypt, and Joseph, acting in his Egyptian capacity, leveraged this cultural understanding to add weight to his accusation and intensify the psychological pressure on his brothers, pushing them toward a critical decision and revealing their true character. His actions were part of a divinely guided test, not an endorsement or practice of pagan rituals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joseph's actions in Genesis 44:15, though involving a temporary deception, powerfully foreshadow the redemptive work of Christ. Joseph, hidden in his identity as a powerful Egyptian ruler, orchestrates a test that brings his brothers to a place of profound brokenness, confession, and ultimately, a willingness to sacrifice for Benjamin. This intense pressure reveals their transformed hearts, paving the way for Joseph's revelation of his true identity and the subsequent reconciliation and salvation of his family. Similarly, Jesus Christ, though fully God, veiled His divine glory in human flesh, appearing in humility and allowing Himself to be misunderstood, accused, and even "judged" by human systems (as seen in [John 1:10-11 "Christ Came to His Own and His Own Received Him Not"]). He orchestrated the ultimate plan of redemption through His suffering and death, which, to human eyes, appeared as defeat but was in fact the means of salvation. Like Joseph, who brought his brothers to a realization of their sin and need before revealing his true identity and offering forgiveness, Christ brings humanity to a realization of their sin and desperate need for a Savior (as articulated in [Romans 3:23 "All Have Sinned"]) before revealing His redemptive purpose and offering reconciliation through His atoning sacrifice (as described in [2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "God Reconciling the World to Himself Through Christ"]). Joseph's hiddenness and suffering ultimately led to the preservation of his family, just as Christ's suffering and apparent weakness on the cross paved the way for the eternal salvation of all who believe, bringing about a greater good through what seemed, to human eyes, to be a complex and even unjust process.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13

And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Genesis 4:10

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

Exodus 32:1

¶ And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Genesis 39:8

But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

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, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?

Genesis 44:5

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

Genesis 21:26

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but to day.