Gen 44:5 | TNotes | STEP | 44:5 This description would make the brothers understand that the ruler knew things that others could not. • Hydromancy (pouring water into oil) and oenomancy (pouring wine into other liquids) were methods of divination used in the ancient Near East that would have required such a cup. Joseph was continuing his ruse (see 42:7 ; cp. 30:27 ; see also Lev 19:26 ; Num 23:23 ; Deut 18:10-11 )—he knew that only God grants revelation (see Gen 37:5-9 ; 40:8 ; 41:16 ).

a44:5►

b42:7►

c30:27►

dLev 19:26►

eNum 23:23►

fDeut 18:10-11►

gGen 37:5-9►

h40:8►

i41:16►

‏ Genesis 44:5

44:5 ^a This description would make the brothers understand that the ruler knew things that others could not.

• Hydromancy (pouring water into oil) and oenomancy (pouring wine into other liquids) were methods of divination used in the ancient Near East that would have required such a cup. Joseph was continuing his ruse (see 42:7 ^b; cp. 30:27 ^c; see also Lev 19:26 ^d; Num 23:23 ^e; Deut 18:10-11 ^f)—he knew that only God grants revelation (see Gen 37:5-9 ^g; 40:8 ^h; 41:16 ⁱ).