English Standard Version
Genesis 44:4
4They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good?
Genesis 44:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
- New International Version (NIV)They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?
- New King James Version (NKJV)When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
- New Living Translation (NLT)But when they had gone only a short distance and were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his palace manager, “Chase after them and stop them. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you repaid my kindness with such evil?
Context of Genesis 44:4
2and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain." And he did as Joseph told him. 3As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid evil for good? 5Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.'" 6When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words.
Read all of Genesis 44Genesis 44:4 word by word
הֵ֠ם יָֽצְא֣וּ אֶת־הָעִיר֮ לֹ֣א הִרְחִיקוּ֒ וְיוֹסֵ֤ף אָמַר֙ לַֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־בֵּית֔וֹ ק֥וּם רְדֹ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהִשַּׂגְתָּם֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם לָ֛מָּה שִׁלַּמְתֶּ֥ם רָעָ֖ה תַּ֥חַת טוֹבָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- when they were gone outיָצָאyâtsâ' · to come out: comeH3318
- of the cityעִיר‛îyr ‛âr ‛âyar · cityH5892
- far offרָחַקrâchaq · to removeH7368
- Josephיוֹסֵףyôsêph · JosephH3130
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto his stewardבַּ֫יִתbayith · house: householdH1004
- Upקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
- followרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
- afterאַחַר'achar · afterH310
- the menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- and when thou dost overtakeנָשַׂגnâώag · to overtakeH5381
- unto them, Wherefore have ye rewardedשָׁלֵםshâlam · to completeH7999
- evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
- for goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896
Cross-references for Genesis 44:4
- Deuteronomy 2:16"So as soon as all the men of war had perished and were dead from among the people,
- 1 Samuel 24:17He said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.
- 2 Chronicles 20:11behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.
- Psalms 35:12They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.
- Psalms 109:5So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
- Proverbs 17:13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.
- John 10:32Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?"
Commentaries on Genesis 44:4
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-34Verses 1-34 - The Ten Brothers Were Tested Joseph has had the satisfaction of seeing his brother Benjamin safe and well. He has heard his brothers acknowledging their guilt concerning himself. He resolves to put their attachment to Benjamin, and the genuineness of their change of disposition, to a test that will at the same time expose Benjamin to no hazard. Genesis 44:1-5 And my cup. - Besides returning each man‘s money as before, a silver cup of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-34The 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?Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. When they were gone out of the city ... Joseph said unto his steward--They were brought to a sudden halt by the stunning intelligence that an article of rare value was missing from the governor's house. It was a silver cup; so strong suspicions were entertained against them that a special messenger was despatched to search them.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 44:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 44
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries