Genesis 44:16

Translations

Modern

“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? And how shall we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants. Behold, we are to my lord as servants, both we and also he with whom the cup was found.”

Latin

Cui Judas: Quid respondebimus, inquit, domino meo? vel quid loquemur, aut juste poterimus obtendere? Deus invenit iniquitatem servorum tuorum: en omnes servi sumus domini mei, et nos, et apud quem inventus est scyphus.

Original

Hebrew

English

“What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.”

Notes

Genesis 44:16

Judah again spoke for the group.
God has exposed the iniquity of your servants: God was completing the work of repentance in their hearts. Judah again proposed that they all be punished. Benjamin was seemingly guilty of this theft, but all of the others were guilty of sin against Joseph. They preferred not returning to Jacob at all versus seeing his grief at the loss of Benjamin (44:34).

Genesis 44:1–34

The brothers seemed different. They felt sorry for what they did to Joseph. They showed honor by returning the money and by bringing Benjamin. Given a chance to get rid of Rachel’s other son, Benjamin, would they do it?

Genesis 42:1–44:34

Joseph did several unusual things to his brothers when they came looking for grain. The last time Joseph had been with them, they were filled with jealousy, hatred, and anger; they attempted to destroy their brother, and they deceived their father. Joseph put them through various tests, similar to the trying situations they had put him through, to see if they had changed.

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Joseph Judah Symbolic Numbers

Events

Joseph's brothers return to Egyptc. 1706 BC

Related verses

Genesis 44:9
If any of your servants is found to have it, he must die, and the rest will become slaves of my lord.”
Daniel 9:7
To You, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but this day we are covered with shame—the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, and all Israel near and far, in all the countries to which You have driven us because of our unfaithfulness to You.
Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out.
Luke 12:2
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
Joshua 7:18
And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.
Deuteronomy 25:1
If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.
Isaiah 27:9
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.
Ezra 9:15
O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! For we remain this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it no one can stand before You.”
Joshua 7:1
The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
Ezra 9:10
And now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commandments
Job 40:4
“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
Isaiah 5:3
“And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard.

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Benjamin (Person) Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Famine Genesis, Book of Jacob Judah (Person) Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Conscience of Joseph's Brethren Conviction: Joseph's Brother, on Account of Their Cruelty to Joseph Integrity: Jacob's Sons, when Accused by Joseph of Robbery Judah: Son of Jacob: Goes Down Into Egypt for Corn (Grain)

Genesis 44:16

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Translations

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