a44:1-34
b44:2
c44:5
d42:7
e30:27
fLev 19:26
gNum 23:23
hDeut 18:10-11
iGen 37:5-9
j40:8
k41:16
l44:9-10
m44:17
n44:11-12
o44:13
p42:38
q44:14
r42:6-7
s43:26
t37:10

‏ Genesis 44:1-15

Summary for Gen 44:1-34: 44:1-34  a The brothers appeared to have changed; they had shown remorse over what they had done to Joseph, and they showed integrity in returning the money and in bringing Benjamin. Given a chance to get rid of Rachel’s other son, Benjamin, would they do it?
44:2  b Joseph was giving his brothers the chance to abandon Benjamin if they wanted to. Joseph was testing them to see if they were loyal to the family and faithful to their father.
44:5  c 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  d; cp. 30:27  e; see also Lev 19:26  f; Num 23:23  g; Deut 18:10-11  h)—he knew that only God grants revelation (see Gen 37:5-9  i; 40:8  j; 41:16  k).
Summary for Gen 44:9-10: 44:9-10  l The punishment that the brothers proposed was harsher than necessary; it was normal in antiquity to stake your life on what you said. The palace manager was agreeable but enforced a punishment that matched Joseph’s intentions (44:17  m).
Summary for Gen 44:11-12: 44:11-12  n The palace manager knew where the cup was, but he created more anxiety by beginning with the oldest.
44:13  o they tore their clothing in despair: They knew what it would do to Jacob to lose Benjamin (42:38  p).
44:14  q This time, the brothers did not bow politely (see 42:6-7  r; 43:26  s); they fell to the ground in desperation, fulfilling Joseph’s first dream for the third time (see 37:10  t).
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