Genesis 44:6-13

44:6 When the man ¹  overtook them, he spoke these words to them. 44:7 They answered him, “Why does my lord say such things? ²  Far be it from your servants to do such a thing! ³  44:8 Look, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? 44:9 If one of us has it, ⁴  he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves!”

44:10 He replied, “You have suggested your own punishment! ⁵  The one who has it will become my slave, ⁶  but the rest of ⁷  you will go free.” ⁸  44:11 So each man quickly lowered ⁹  his sack to the ground and opened it. 44:12 Then the man ¹⁰  searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack! 44:13 They all tore their clothes! Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

[44:6]  ¹ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[44:7]  ² tn Heb “Why does my lord speak according to these words?”

[44:7]  ³ tn Heb “according to this thing.”

[44:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “The one with whom it is found from your servants.” Here “your servants” (a deferential way of referring to the brothers themselves) has been translated by the pronoun “us” to avoid confusion with Joseph’s servants.

[44:10]  ⁵ tn Heb “Also now, according to your words, so it is.” As the next statement indicates, this does mean that he will do exactly as they say. He does agree with them the culprit should be punished, but not as harshly as they suggest. Furthermore, the innocent parties will not be punished.

[44:10]  ⁶ tn Heb “The one with whom it is found will become my slave.”

[44:10]  ⁷ tn The words “the rest of” have been supplied in the translation for clarification and for stylistic reasons.

[44:10]  ⁸ tn The Hebrew word נָקִי (naqi) means “acquitted,” that is, free of guilt and the responsibility for it.

[44:11]  ⁹ tn Heb “and they hurried and they lowered.” Their speed in doing this shows their presumption of innocence.

[44:12]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household) has been specified in the translation for clarity.