God’s Word Translation
Genesis 44:4
4They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to the man in charge of his house, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you paid me back with evil when I was good to you?
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?
- English Standard Version (ESV)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?
- 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?
Context of Genesis 44:4
2Then put my silver cup in the youngest brother’s sack along with the money for his grain.” He did what Joseph told him. 3At dawn the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to the man in charge of his house, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you paid me back with evil when I was good to you? 5Isn’t this the cup that my master drinks from and that he uses for telling the future? What you have done is evil!’ ” 6When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.
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 2:16When the last of these soldiers had died,
- 1 Samuel 24:17He told David, “You are more righteous than I. You treated me well while I treated you badly.
- 2 Chronicles 20:11They are now paying us back by coming to force us out of your land that you gave to us.
- Psalms 35:12I am devastated because they pay me back with evil instead of good.
- Psalms 109:5They reward me with evil instead of good and with hatred instead of love.
- Proverbs 17:13Whoever pays back evil for good— evil will never leave his home.
- John 10:32Jesus replied to them, “I’ve shown you many good things that come from the Father. For which of these good things do you want to stone me to death?”
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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