TRV
Translation
King James Version
And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
Complete Jewish Bible
They replied, "Why does my lord speak this way? Heaven forbid that we should do such a thing!
Berean Standard Bible
“Why does my lord say these things?” they asked. “Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.
American Standard Version
And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing.
World English Bible Messianic
They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants that they should do such a thing!
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they answered him, Wherefore sayeth my lorde such wordes? God forbid that thy seruants should do such a thing.
Young's Literal Translation
and they say unto him, `Why doth my lord speak according to these words? far be it from thy servants to do according to this word;
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In the KJVVerse 1,332 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Genesis 44 verses 1–17
1 ¶ And he commanded the 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.
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.
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses.
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?
5 Is not this it in which my lord drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth? ye have done evil in so doing.
6 And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these same words.
7 And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:
8 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?
9 With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.
10 And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my servant; and ye shall be blameless.
11 Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack.
12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
13 Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.
14 And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; for he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground.
15 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?
16 And Judah 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.
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.
Joseph heaps further kindnesses upon his brethren, fills their sacks, returns their money, and sends them away full of gladness; but he also exercises them with further trials. Our God thus humbles those whom he loves and loads with benefits. Joseph ordered his steward to put a fine silver cup which he had (and which, it is likely, was used at his table when they dined with him) into Benjamin's sack's mouth, that it might seem as if he had stolen it from the table, and put it here himself, after his corn was delivered to him. If Benjamin had stolen it, it had been the basest piece of dishonesty and ingratitude that could be and if Joseph, by ordering it to be there, had designed really to take advantage against him, it had been in him most horrid cruelty and oppression; but it proved, in the issue, that there was no harm done, nor any designed, on either side. Observe,
I. How the pretended criminals were pursued and arrested, on suspicion of having stolen a silver cup. The steward charged them with ingratitude - rewarding evil for good; and with folly, in taking away a cup of daily use, and which therefore would soon be missed, and diligent search made for it; for so it may be read: Is not this it in which my lord drinketh (as having a particular fondness for it), and for which he would search thoroughly? Gen 44:5. Or, "By which, leaving it carelessly at your table, he would make trial whether you were honest men or no."
II. How they pleaded for themselves. They solemnly protested their innocence, and detestation of so base a thing (Gen 44:7), urged it as an instance of their honesty that they had brought their money back (Gen 44:8), and offered to submit to the severest punishment if they should be found guilty, Gen 44:9, Gen 44:10.
III. How the theft was fastened upon Benjamin. In his sack the cup was found to whom Joseph had been particularly kind. Benjamin, no doubt, was ready to deny, upon oath, the taking of the cup, and we may suppose him as little liable to suspicion as any of them; but it is in vain to confront such notorious evidence: the cup is found in his custody; they dare not arraign Joseph's justice, nor so much as suggest that perhaps he that had put their money in their sacks' mouths had put the cup there; but they throw themselves upon Joseph's mercy. And,
IV. Here is their humble submission, Gen 44:16. 1. They acknowledge the righteousness of God: God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants, perhaps referring to the injury they had formerly done to Joseph, for which they thought God was now reckoning with them. Note, Even in those afflictions wherein we apprehend ourselves wronged by men yet we must own that God is righteous, and finds out our iniquity. 2. They surrender themselves prisoners to Joseph: We are my lord's servants. Now Joseph's dreams were accomplished to the utmost. Their bowing so often, and doing homage, might be looked upon but as a compliment, and no more than what other strangers did; but the construction they themselves, in their pride, had put upon his dreams was, Shalt though have dominion over us? (Gen 37:8), and in this sense it is now at length fulfilled,; they own themselves his vassals. Since they did invidiously so understand it, so it shall be fulfilled in them.
V. Joseph, with an air of justice, gives sentence that Benjamin only should be kept in bondage, and the rest should be dismissed; for why should any suffer but the guilty? Perhaps Joseph intended hereby to try Benjamin's temper, whether he could bear such a hardship as this with the calmness and composure of mind that became a wise and good man: in short, whether he was indeed his own brother, in spirit as well as blood; for Joseph himself had been falsely accused, and had suffered hard things in consequence, and yet kept possession of his own soul. However, it is plain he intended hereby to try the affection of his brethren to Benjamin and to their father. If they had gone away contentedly, and left Benjamin in bonds, no doubt Joseph would soon have released and promoted him, and sent notice to Jacob, and would have left the rest of his brethren justly to suffer for their hard-heartedness; but they proved to be better to Benjamin than he feared. Note, We cannot judge what men are by what they have been formerly, nor what they will do by what they have done: age and experience may make men wiser and better. Those that had sold Joseph would not now abandon Benjamin. The worst may mend in time.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–17. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
The brothers' immediate and fervent denial of the accusation of theft, a crucial moment in Joseph's intricate test designed to probe their transformation and integrity. Confronted by Joseph's steward and accused of stealing the silver cup, the brothers express profound shock and indignation, vehemently asserting their innocence of this specific crime, which stands in stark and ironic contrast to their past, unconfessed betrayal of Joseph.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated at the dramatic climax of the Joseph narrative, specifically within the final, most intense phase of Joseph's testing of his brothers. Following their initial visits to Egypt for grain and Joseph's demand that they bring Benjamin, Joseph orchestrates a scheme involving his personal divining cup. After the brothers depart, the steward is sent to pursue them, accuse them of theft, and "discover" the cup in Benjamin's sack. The brothers' response in Genesis 44:7 is their initial, confident, and outraged reaction to this false accusation, setting the stage for Judah's profound intercession and the ultimate revelation of Joseph's identity in the subsequent verses of Genesis 44 and Genesis 45.
Historical & Cultural Context: The setting is ancient Egypt, a highly advanced civilization with a structured legal system and a strong emphasis on hospitality and loyalty. The accusation of theft, especially of a valuable item like a silver cup (potentially a divining cup, adding to its significance), was a grave offense that could result in severe punishment, including enslavement. The cultural expectation would be for the accused to vehemently deny such a charge if innocent, as the brothers do. Furthermore, the concept of a "lord" (H113, ʼâdôwn) and "servants" (H5650, ʻebed) reflects the hierarchical societal structure of the time, where a powerful official like Joseph's steward would command immediate respect and fear, making the brothers' bold denial even more striking.
Key Themes: Genesis 44:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Joseph narrative and the book of Genesis. Foremost is the theme of Testing and Transformation, as Joseph's elaborate ruse serves as a crucible to reveal the profound changes in his brothers' character, particularly their newfound protectiveness of Benjamin, contrasting sharply with their callous betrayal of Joseph in Genesis 37:18-28. The verse also highlights Divine Providence, demonstrating how God sovereignly orchestrates seemingly human events, even manipulative ones, to bring about His purposes of reconciliation and preservation of the covenant family (Genesis 50:20). Finally, the brothers' reaction underscores the Weight of Conscience; while innocent of this specific theft, their past guilt regarding Joseph likely contributes to their overwhelming despair and willingness to accept collective punishment when the cup is "found," revealing a deeper moral awakening within them.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. Rhetorical Question is evident in "Wherefore saith my lord these words?", which is not a genuine inquiry but an expression of profound shock, outrage, and disbelief. This question effectively conveys the brothers' bewilderment at such an unfounded accusation. Dramatic Irony is central to this moment; the audience knows Joseph's plan, but the brothers are completely unaware, making their vehement denial of this specific crime (the cup) poignant, given their profound guilt in the actual crime of selling Joseph into slavery. Their assertion of moral purity regarding the cup stands in stark contrast to their past callousness, highlighting their transformation. Furthermore, the use of the emphatic interjection Hyperbole or strong Exclamation in "God forbid" (H2486, châlîylâh) underscores the intensity of their denial, signifying that the very thought of such an act is morally abhorrent and utterly impossible for them.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The brothers' vehement denial in Genesis 44:7 serves as a pivotal moment, showcasing not only their immediate reaction to a false accusation but also implicitly revealing the profound moral transformation that has occurred within them since their betrayal of Joseph. While they are innocent of this specific theft, the weight of their past sin against Joseph likely contributes to their ultimate despair when the cup is found, demonstrating the lingering burden of unconfessed guilt and the internal process of repentance. Joseph's elaborate test, though manipulative, is ultimately an instrument of divine providence, allowing God to bring about reconciliation and preserve the covenant family, illustrating how God can use human actions, both good and imperfect, to fulfill His sovereign purposes. This narrative powerfully underscores the themes of testing, transformation, and God's faithfulness in bringing about redemption even through complex and painful circumstances.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 44:7 offers profound insights for contemporary life. The brothers' confident denial of the specific charge, rooted in their genuine innocence regarding the cup, reminds us of the power and peace that come from a clear conscience when facing false accusations. Yet, their broader journey underscores that unaddressed past wrongs can still cast a shadow, even when one is innocent of a current charge, highlighting the importance of true repentance and reconciliation for holistic well-being. This intricate narrative also encourages us to trust in divine sovereignty, recognizing that even in the midst of human-orchestrated trials and deceptive circumstances, God is often at work, subtly guiding events toward His ultimate redemptive purposes. The brothers' transformation from callousness to profound compassion and self-sacrifice for Benjamin serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of experience, repentance, and God's grace, offering enduring hope that individuals and relationships can indeed be profoundly changed and healed.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the brothers so vehement in their denial of the theft?
Answer: The brothers were genuinely innocent of stealing the silver cup. Their vehement denial stemmed from their clear conscience regarding this specific accusation. They had no knowledge of Joseph's elaborate scheme and truly believed they were being falsely accused, leading to their profound shock, outrage, and strong assertion of blamelessness. This contrasts sharply with the actual guilt they carried from their past betrayal of Joseph, making their current indignation all the more ironic.
What does the Hebrew phrase "God forbid" (חָלִילָה) signify in this context?
Answer: The Hebrew word חָלִילָה (chalilah) is a powerful exclamation meaning "Far be it!" or "By no means!" It conveys a profound sense of moral revulsion and utter impossibility. In Genesis 44:7, it emphasizes the brothers' belief that committing such an act of theft would be unthinkable, morally reprehensible, and completely out of character for them, underscoring their perceived integrity in this instance.
How does this incident serve as a crucial test for Joseph's brothers?
Answer: This incident is the culmination of Joseph's tests, designed to assess their integrity, their capacity for self-sacrifice, and, most importantly, their newfound care and loyalty for Benjamin. Unlike their willingness to abandon Joseph years prior (Genesis 37:28), their despair and readiness to return to Egypt, and Judah's subsequent offer to take Benjamin's place (Genesis 44:33), demonstrate a profound transformation in their character and familial loyalty. This test reveals that they are no longer the callous individuals who sold their brother.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Joseph, culminating in this moment of testing and the brothers' profound transformation, powerfully foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. Joseph, though unjustly betrayed and seemingly abandoned by his own, becomes the means of his family's salvation from famine and ultimately their reconciliation, much like Christ, who, though innocent, suffered at the hands of humanity to bring about spiritual salvation and reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:19). Joseph's actions, even his manipulative test, are part of a divine plan to preserve a people through whom the Messiah would ultimately come. The brothers' eventual repentance (most notably Judah's later offer to take Benjamin's place, a profound act of substitutionary love) and their humbling before Joseph mirror humanity's need to acknowledge sin and humbly submit to Christ for forgiveness and new life (Philippians 2:8-11). Through Joseph, God demonstrates His sovereign ability to turn evil intentions into good (Genesis 50:20), ultimately pointing to the greater work of Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's plan for the salvation of all who believe, offering Himself as the ultimate substitute for our sins (John 3:16).