Genesis-Chapter-44
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three
versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication
Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF),
three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it
once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
Remember the following truth from our
beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO
THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL
YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Genesis
44 presents the ultimate crucible of the patriarchal narrative. Joseph
engineers a final, high-stakes test by planting his silver cup in Benjamin’s
sack to see if the brothers will abandon Rachel’s youngest son as they once
abandoned him. The discovery forces a crisis that strips away all deception.
Instead of saving themselves, the brothers return
together, demonstrating absolute solidarity. The chapter culminates in
YYYYYYY
Let us read Genesis
Chapter 44, verses 1 to 34: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my
commentary for this study.
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 their sack’s mouth. 2 And put my goblet,
the silver goblet, 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
were 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 he indeed divineth?
ye have done evil in so doing’! 6 And
he overtook them, and he spoke unto them these words. 7 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. 8 Behold, the money, which we found in
our sacks’ mouths, we brought back 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, 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 bondman; and ye shall be blameless’. 11 Then they hastened, and took down every man his sack to the
ground, and opened every man his sack. 12 And he
searched, beginning at the eldest, and leaving off at the youngest; and the
goblet was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 And 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, and 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? know
ye not that such a man as I will indeed divine?' 16 And
YYYYYYY
Below is my Commentary of
verses 1 to 34:
Verses 1-2: Joseph commands his
steward to fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry and to put
each man’s money back in his sack. Crucially, he orders his personal silver
divination cup to be hidden in the mouth of Benjamin’s sack.
Verses 3-5: At dawn, the brothers are
sent on their way with their donkeys. Before they travel far from the city,
Joseph dispatches his steward to pursue them, accusing them of repaying evil
for good by stealing the precious cup used for drinking and divination.
Verses 6-9: The steward overtakes
them and delivers the accusation. The brothers vigorously protest their
innocence, reminding him they returned the previous money, and confidently
declare that whoever possesses the cup shall die, and the rest will become
slaves.
Verses 10-13: The steward modifies the
terms, stating only the thief will become his slave, while the rest will go
free. The brothers quickly lower and search every sack from oldest to youngest, and the cup is discovered in Benjamin’s sack. In
utter despair, the brothers tear their clothes, reload their donkeys, and
return to the city together.
Verses 14-15: Judah and his brothers
arrive back at Joseph’s house, where Joseph is still waiting, and they throw
themselves to the ground before him. Joseph demands to know what they have done, asking if they realized a man of his stature can
practice divination.
Verses 16-17:
Verses 18-23:
Verses 24-29:
Verses 30-32:
Verses 33-34:
YYYYYYY
My Closing Message:
Genesis
44 reminds us that true repentance is proved by actions, not just words. When
placed in the exact same scenario as years before with a preferred brother at
their mercy the brothers chose loyalty over self-preservation.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down
the page!
This site was originally created, for those
who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work
on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and
always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance,
for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He!
However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of
studies!
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who
gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace
of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food
and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Enter ...