Genesis 44:18

_AND HE SAID, GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD DO SO: BUT THE MAN IN WHOSE HAND THE CUP IS FOUND, HE SHALL BE MY SERVANT; AND AS FOR YOU, GET YOU UP IN PEACE UNTO YOUR FATHER._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

18._Let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word_. Judah suppliantly asks that leave may be given him to speak, because his narrative was about to be prolix. And whereas nobles are offended, and take it angrily, if any address them with too great familiarity, Judas begins by declaring that he is not ignorant of the great honor which Joseph had received in Egypt, for the purpose of showing that he was becoming bold, not through impertinence, but through necessity. Afterwards he recites in what manner he and his brethren had departed from their father. There are two principal heads of his discourse; first, that they should be the means of bringing a sorrow upon their father which would prove fatal; and secondly, that he had bound himself individually, by covenant, to bring the youth back. With respect to the grief of his father, it is a sign of no common filial piety, that he wished himself...

18-34 Had Joseph been, as Judah supposed him, an utter stranger to the family, he could not but be wrought upon by his powerful reasonings. But neither Jacob nor Benjamin need an intercessor with Joseph; for he himself loved them. Judah's faithful cleaving to Benjamin, now, in his distress, was recompensed long afterwards by the tribe of Benjamin keeping with the tribe of Judah, when the other tribes deserted it. The apostle, when discoursing of the mediation of Christ, observes, that our Lord sprang out of Judah, Hebrews 7:14; and he not only made intercession for the transgressors, but he became a Surety for them, testifying therein tender concern, both for his Father and for his brethren. Jesus, the great antitype of Joseph, humbles and proves his people, even after they have had some tastes of his loving-kindness. He brings their sins to their remembrance, that they may exercise and...

Verse Genesis 44:18. _THOU ART EVEN AS PHARAOH._] As wise, as powerful, and as much to be dreaded as he. In the Asiatic countries, the reigning monarch is always considered to be the _pattern of all_ _perfection_; and the highest honour that can be conferred on any person, is to resemble him to the monarch; as the monarch himself is likened, in the same complimentary way, to _an angel of God_. See 2 Samuel 14:17-10. Judah is the chief speaker here, because it was in consequence of his becoming surety for Benjamin that Jacob permitted him to accompany them to Egypt. See Genesis 43:9. "EVERY man who reads," says Dr. Dodd, "to the close of this chapter, must confess that Judah

- The Ten Brothers Were Tested Joseph has had the satisfaction of seeing his brother Benjamin safe and well. He has heard his brothers acknowledging their guilt concerning himself. He resolves to put their attachment to Benjamin, and the genuineness of their change of disposition, to a test that will at the same time expose Benjamin to no hazard. Genesis 44:1 AND MY CUP. - Besides returning each man’s money as before, a silver cup of Joseph’s is put in Benjamin’s bag, after which, when daylight comes, they are dismissed. They are scarcely out of the town when Joseph’s steward is ordered to overtake them, and charge them with stealing the cup. “And whereby indeed he divineth.” Divining by cups, we learn from this, was a common custom in Egypt (Herodotus ii. 83). It is here mentioned

EXPOSITION GENESIS 44:1, GENESIS 44:2 AND HE (_i.e._ Joseph) COMMANDED THE STEWARD OF HIS HOUSE,—literally, _him that was over his hoarse _(Genesis 43:15)—SAYING, FILL THE MEN'S SACKS WITH FOOD, AS MUCH AS THEY CAN CARRY, AND PUT EVERY MAN'S MONEY IN HIS SACK'S MOUTH (as before, but not this time as a test). AND PUT MY CUP,—גָּבִיעַ, from an unused root, גָּבַע, conveying the sense of elevation or roundness; hence a goblet or bowl, commonly of a large size (Jeremiah 35:5), as distinguishe

THEN JUDAH CAME NEAR UNTO HIM,.... Being the spokesman of his brethren, and the surety of Benjamin: he plucked up a spirit, put on courage, and drew nearer to the governor, and with much freedom and boldness, and in a very polite manner, addressed him: AND SAID, O MY LORD, LET THY SERVANT, I PRAY THEE, SPEAK A WORD IN MY LORD'S EARS; not admit him to private audience, or suffer him to whisper something to him, but give him the hearing of a few words he had to say to him: AND LET NOT THINE ANGER BURN AGAINST THY SERVANT; do not be displeased with his boldness, and the freedom he takes, but hear him patiently: FOR THOU [ART] EVEN AS PHARAOH; next, if not equal in power and authority with him; could exercise justice or show mercy, punish or release from punishment, at his pleasure; and having leave granted him, he began his speech, and made the following narrative....

CHAPTER 44 THE FEIGNED DISMAY AND THE BRINGING BACK _ 1. The cup concealed and the dismay (Genesis 44:1)_ 2. The return to Joseph's house (Genesis 44:14)...

GENESIS 44. BENJAMIN IS ACCUSED OF STEALING JOSEPH'S SILVER CUP, AND JUDAH PLEADS WITH JOSEPH TO PUNISH HIM INSTEAD OF BENJAMIN. The narrative is from J. Joseph arranges this final test that he may be fully assured as to the true disposition of the brothers. At the same time, it is skilfully planned to prolong their suspense, swing them to and fro between hope and despair, and harrow them in their tenderest feelings. They have come safely through a rather perilous situation, Simeon has been restored to them, the trouble about the money cleared away, Benjamin is safely on the road for home, the Viceroy finally, it seems, convinced of their honesty and friendly in his attitude. But they have not left the city far behind when the steward overtakes them, and confronts them with a new and horrible complication: they have stolen Joseph's cup, his drinking cup, but also used for divination. Ind...

_Then Judah_ The prominence of Judah has been noticeable in Genesis 43:3; Genesis 43:8 and in Genesis 44:14_; Genesis 44:16_of this chapter. Benjamin, though present, is silent; Reuben takes no part. _Oh my lord_ See Genesis 43:20. _thou art even as Pharaoh_ Judah's opening words are those of graceful deference, referring to Joseph's enquiry in Genesis 44:15....