Genesis 44:8 - Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?
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What does "Genesis 44:8" mean?
This verse, Genesis 44:8, is part of Judah's impassioned plea to Joseph (who they don't realize is their brother) after the silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack. Let's break down what it means:
"Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan." This refers back to the previous chapter (Genesis 43). When the brothers returned to Canaan after their first trip to Egypt to buy grain, they discovered that the money they had paid for the grain was mysteriously back in their sacks. They promptly returned it to Joseph. Judah is highlighting their honesty in this past instance. They went out of their way to return money they could have easily kept. This establishes a baseline of trustworthiness.
"How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?" This is the key question and the core of their argument. It's a rhetorical question meant to emphasize the absurdity of the accusation. They are saying, in essence: "We were honest enough to return money that we found by accident. Why on earth would we then deliberately steal something as valuable as silver or gold, especially from someone as powerful as you?" The implication is that their past actions demonstrate a commitment to honesty that makes the current accusation highly improbable. They are contrasting their proven honesty with the alleged theft.
In essence, Judah is arguing based on character and past behavior. He's saying, "We are not thieves. Our actions prove that we are honest people. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that we would steal from you."
This verse is crucial to the narrative because it:
Highlights the brothers' desperation: They are desperate to prove their innocence and avoid being enslaved.
Contrasts with their past actions (selling Joseph into slavery): There's irony here, as they did commit a terrible act against their own brother years ago. However, their present behavior is demonstrably honest.
Sets the stage for Joseph's revelation: Judah's plea, and the brothers' willingness to sacrifice themselves to protect Benjamin, eventually move Joseph to reveal his true identity.
In short, the verse is a powerful statement of innocence based on a record of honesty and a plea against a seemingly illogical accusation.
Genesis 44:8 - Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?
What does "Genesis 44:8" mean?
This verse, Genesis 44:8, is part of Judah's impassioned plea to Joseph (who they don't realize is their brother) after the silver cup is found in Benjamin's sack. Let's break down what it means:
"Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan." This refers back to the previous chapter (Genesis 43). When the brothers returned to Canaan after their first trip to Egypt to buy grain, they discovered that the money they had paid for the grain was mysteriously back in their sacks. They promptly returned it to Joseph. Judah is highlighting their honesty in this past instance. They went out of their way to return money they could have easily kept. This establishes a baseline of trustworthiness.
"How then should we steal silver or gold out of your lord’s house?" This is the key question and the core of their argument. It's a rhetorical question meant to emphasize the absurdity of the accusation. They are saying, in essence: "We were honest enough to return money that we found by accident. Why on earth would we then deliberately steal something as valuable as silver or gold, especially from someone as powerful as you?" The implication is that their past actions demonstrate a commitment to honesty that makes the current accusation highly improbable. They are contrasting their proven honesty with the alleged theft.
In essence, Judah is arguing based on character and past behavior. He's saying, "We are not thieves. Our actions prove that we are honest people. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that we would steal from you."
This verse is crucial to the narrative because it:
Highlights the brothers' desperation: They are desperate to prove their innocence and avoid being enslaved.
Contrasts with their past actions (selling Joseph into slavery): There's irony here, as they did commit a terrible act against their own brother years ago. However, their present behavior is demonstrably honest.
Sets the stage for Joseph's revelation: Judah's plea, and the brothers' willingness to sacrifice themselves to protect Benjamin, eventually move Joseph to reveal his true identity.
In short, the verse is a powerful statement of innocence based on a record of honesty and a plea against a seemingly illogical accusation.