Genesis 30:33

30:33 My integrity will testify for me ¹  later on. ²  When you come to verify that I’ve taken only the wages we agreed on, ³  if I have in my possession any goat that is not speckled or spotted or any sheep that is not dark-colored, it will be considered stolen.” ⁴ 

Genesis 44:18

44:18 Then Judah approached him and said, “My lord, please allow your servant to speak a word with you. ⁵  Please do not get angry with your servant, ⁶  for you are just like Pharaoh. ⁷ 

[30:33]  ¹ tn Heb “will answer on my behalf.”

[30:33]  ² tn Heb “on the following day,” or “tomorrow.”

[30:33]  ³ tn Heb “when you come concerning my wage before you.”

[30:33]  ⁴ tn Heb “every one which is not speckled and spotted among the lambs and dark among the goats, stolen it is with me.”

[44:18]  ⁵ tn Heb “Please my lord, let your servant speak a word into the ears of my lord.”

[44:18]  ⁶ tn Heb “and let not your anger burn against your servant.”

[44:18]  ⁷ sn You are just like Pharaoh. Judah’s speech begins with the fear and trembling of one who stands condemned. Joseph has as much power as Pharaoh, either to condemn or to pardon. Judah will make his appeal, wording his speech in such a way as to appeal to Joseph’s compassion for the father, whom he mentions no less than fourteen times in the speech.