Genesis 44:17

And he said, God 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.

And he said {H559}, God forbid {H2486} that I should do {H6213} so {H2063}: but the man {H376} in whose hand {H3027} the cup {H1375} is found {H4672}, he shall be my servant {H5650}; and as for you, get you up {H5927} in peace {H7965} unto your father {H1}.

But he replied, "Heaven forbid that I should act in such a way. The man in whose possession the goblet was found will be my slave; but as for you, go in peace to your father."

But Joseph replied, “Far be it from me to do this. The man who was found with the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may return to your father in peace.”

And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.

Commentary

Genesis 44:17 captures a pivotal moment in Joseph's ongoing test of his brothers, particularly regarding their loyalty and transformation. After the discovery of Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack—a setup orchestrated by Joseph—the brothers have just offered to become servants to the Egyptian governor (Joseph). Here, Joseph rejects their collective servitude, narrowing the consequence to Benjamin alone, thus escalating the emotional and moral dilemma for his family.

Context

This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Joseph's reconciliation with his estranged brothers. Years after they sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:28), they unknowingly come to him for grain during a famine. Joseph, now a powerful ruler in Egypt, orchestrates a series of events to test their character and to bring his youngest brother, Benjamin, to Egypt. His ultimate goal is to see if they have changed and if they would abandon Benjamin as they once abandoned him. The "discovery" of the cup is the climax of this intricate plan, designed to force a difficult choice upon them. The brothers' offer to become servants in Genesis 44:16 demonstrates their collective despair and sense of responsibility, but Joseph's reply here intensifies the situation by singling out Benjamin.

Key Themes

  • The Test of Character: Joseph's declaration serves as the ultimate test of his brothers' transformation. Will they abandon Benjamin, the favored son of Jacob's beloved Rachel, as they once abandoned Joseph? This moment forces them to confront their past actions and demonstrate true brotherly responsibility.
  • Divine Providence: Although Joseph is the orchestrator of these events, the narrative subtly points to God's overarching plan at work. Joseph's actions, though manipulative from a human perspective, are leading towards a greater purpose of preserving his family and ultimately the lineage of Israel. Joseph later articulates this understanding in Genesis 50:20, saying, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good."
  • Justice and Mercy: Joseph's statement, "God forbid that I should do so," indicates a rejection of collective punishment, focusing instead on the "guilty" party (Benjamin, though innocent of the theft). This seemingly just act, however, is a calculated move to elicit a response of mercy and self-sacrifice from the other brothers, particularly Judah, who had pledged Benjamin's safety to their father in Genesis 43:9.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God forbid that I should do so" is a strong Hebrew idiom, literally meaning "far be it from me" or "it is a profanation to me." It expresses a fervent rejection of the proposed action, emphasizing Joseph's resolve not to enslave all of them but to isolate Benjamin. The term "servant" (Hebrew: 'eved) here refers to a bondservant or slave, a common status in the ancient Near East, where an individual might be indentured due to debt or crime. Joseph's demand for Benjamin to be his 'eved was a severe consequence, tantamount to permanent separation from his family.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights into themes of testing, redemption, and familial loyalty. It reminds us that:

  • Tests Reveal Character: Difficult situations often reveal our true character and the depth of our commitment to others. Just as Joseph tested his brothers, life presents challenges that can refine us.
  • Responsibility and Self-Sacrifice: The brothers' response to Joseph's demand for Benjamin's servitude, particularly Judah's passionate intercession in Genesis 44:18-34, highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our loved ones and being willing to sacrifice for their well-being.
  • God's Unseen Hand: Even in seemingly chaotic or unfair circumstances, God can be at work, orchestrating events for a greater good and bringing about reconciliation and restoration.

Joseph's calculated move in Genesis 44:17 sets the stage for the climactic revelation of his identity and the emotional reunion that follows, demonstrating the transformative power of repentance and forgiveness within a family.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 42:18

    And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I fear God:

  • Proverbs 17:15

    ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

  • Genesis 37:32

    And they sent the coat of [many] colours, and they brought [it] to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it [be] thy son's coat or no.

  • Genesis 37:33

    And he knew it, and said, [It is] my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

  • 2 Samuel 23:3

    The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men [must be] just, ruling in the fear of God.

  • Psalms 75:2

    When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
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