Genesis 44:4 - When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why have you rewarded evil for good?
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What does "Genesis 44:4" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Joseph testing his brothers in Genesis. After selling Joseph into slavery years earlier, they have unknowingly come to Egypt to buy grain from him (now a high-ranking official). Joseph is testing their character to see if they have changed.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off...": This sets the scene. Joseph is giving instructions soon after the brothers have left the city of Egypt on their journey back home to Canaan.
"...Joseph said to his steward, 'Up, follow after the men.'": Joseph instructs his steward (his trusted servant) to pursue his brothers. This is the beginning of Joseph's orchestrated confrontation.
"When you overtake them, ask them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?'": This is the crucial part. Joseph, through his steward, is accusing his brothers of a grave offense. The question is loaded. It implies they have stolen something precious and repaid kindness with treachery.
The Underlying Meaning and Context:
The "evil for good" accusation refers to the supposed theft of Joseph's silver cup. Joseph had secretly placed his silver cup in Benjamin's sack of grain. The "good" refers to the hospitality and generosity Joseph had shown his brothers by providing them with grain during the famine.
The question is designed to:
Test their integrity: Joseph wants to see if they will lie, try to hide the cup, or react with genuine shock and innocence.
Provoke a response: Joseph is deliberately creating a crisis to observe their behavior under pressure.
Gauge their loyalty to Benjamin: Benjamin is Joseph's full brother, and Joseph wants to see if his brothers are willing to abandon him as they did with Joseph himself years ago.
In essence, this verse is a crucial part of Joseph's elaborate plan to reveal himself to his brothers and determine whether they have repented for their past actions. The accusation of repaying good with evil is the catalyst that sets the rest of the story in motion, leading to the brothers' anguish, Judah's powerful plea for Benjamin's release, and ultimately, Joseph's emotional revelation of his true identity.
Genesis 44:4 - When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men. When you overtake them, ask them, ‘Why have you rewarded evil for good?
What does "Genesis 44:4" mean?
This verse is part of the story of Joseph testing his brothers in Genesis. After selling Joseph into slavery years earlier, they have unknowingly come to Egypt to buy grain from him (now a high-ranking official). Joseph is testing their character to see if they have changed.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off...": This sets the scene. Joseph is giving instructions soon after the brothers have left the city of Egypt on their journey back home to Canaan.
"...Joseph said to his steward, 'Up, follow after the men.'": Joseph instructs his steward (his trusted servant) to pursue his brothers. This is the beginning of Joseph's orchestrated confrontation.
"When you overtake them, ask them, 'Why have you rewarded evil for good?'": This is the crucial part. Joseph, through his steward, is accusing his brothers of a grave offense. The question is loaded. It implies they have stolen something precious and repaid kindness with treachery.
The Underlying Meaning and Context:
The "evil for good" accusation refers to the supposed theft of Joseph's silver cup. Joseph had secretly placed his silver cup in Benjamin's sack of grain. The "good" refers to the hospitality and generosity Joseph had shown his brothers by providing them with grain during the famine.
The question is designed to:
Test their integrity: Joseph wants to see if they will lie, try to hide the cup, or react with genuine shock and innocence.
Provoke a response: Joseph is deliberately creating a crisis to observe their behavior under pressure.
Gauge their loyalty to Benjamin: Benjamin is Joseph's full brother, and Joseph wants to see if his brothers are willing to abandon him as they did with Joseph himself years ago.
In essence, this verse is a crucial part of Joseph's elaborate plan to reveal himself to his brothers and determine whether they have repented for their past actions. The accusation of repaying good with evil is the catalyst that sets the rest of the story in motion, leading to the brothers' anguish, Judah's powerful plea for Benjamin's release, and ultimately, Joseph's emotional revelation of his true identity.