Verse

Genesis 44:7

ESV They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
NIV But they said to him, 'Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!
NASB And they said to him, 'Why does my lord say such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!
CSB They said to him, "Why does my lord say these things? Your servants could not possibly do such a thing.
NLT What are you talking about?' the brothers responded. 'We are your servants and would never do such a thing!
KJV And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:

What does Genesis 44:7 mean?

A steward working for Joseph (Genesis 41:44) has overtaken Joseph's estranged brothers (Genesis 42:7–8) just as they began their journey back to Canaan (Genesis 44:1–3). On Joseph's orders, he has accused them of returning his master's good with evil by stealing the Egyptian ruler's own personal silver cup (Genesis 44:4–6).

As one would expect, they protest loudly. They are bewildered. They have no idea that the steward himself has placed the cup in Benjamin's sack (Genesis 44:2). The brothers even question why the steward would even make such a suggestion. They insist that they would never do such a thing. In the following verses, they will rashly offer to prove their innocence at the risk of their own lives (Genesis 44:9).
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