Verse

Genesis 44:12

ESV And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin 's sack.
NIV Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
NASB And he searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
CSB The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
NLT The palace manager searched the brothers’ sacks, from the oldest to the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack!
KJV And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
NKJV So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

What does Genesis 44:12 mean?

Joseph's estranged brothers (Genesis 37:24–28; 42:7–8) have agreed to be searched by Joseph's steward. Their intent is to prove that none of them have taken his master's silver cup (Genesis 44:7–9). They have foolishly agreed that if it is found on any of them, that man will become the Egyptian ruler's slave. They are unaware that the cup has been placed in Benjamin's sack, by the steward himself, on Joseph's orders (Genesis 44:1–6).

Now the sacks are searched in order of the men's ages, starting with the oldest. The steward is focused on looking for the silver cup which he himself placed. He makes a show of searching each sack, knowing what he will find when he gets to the last one. All of this would have been part of Joseph's instructions; all of this is part of Joseph's final test of his family.

As expected by no one—other than the steward—the "stolen" cup is found in Benjamin's possession. This was the youngest brother, and the one whom Jacob was terrified to risk by sending him into Egypt (Genesis 43:14). Thanks to the rash vow made earlier, he now looks to be lost. The brothers react with an expected combination of surprise and grief (Genesis 44:13).
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