Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 44 Summary
Judah's Plea for Benjamin's Freedom
Joseph commands his steward to secretly place his silver divining cup in Benjamin's sack before the brothers depart, then sends the steward to overtake them and accuse them of theft. The cup is found in Benjamin's sack after a search proceeding from eldest to youngest, causing the brothers to tear their clothes in grief and return to the city. Before Joseph, Judah delivers an extended and impassioned plea, recounting the family's history, Jacob's deep attachment to Benjamin, and his own personal guarantee of the boy's safety. Judah offers himself as a bondservant in Benjamin's place, unwilling to return to his father without the lad and witness the grief it would cause the aged Jacob.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 44:2
“And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack's mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.”
Genesis 44:12
“And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.”
Genesis 44:16
“And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.”
Genesis 44:33
“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.”
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