And Juda said to him: What shall we answer my lord? or what shall we say, or be able justly to allege? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are all bondmen to my lord, both we, and he with whom the cup was found.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה מַה־נֹּאמַר֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י מַה־נְּדַבֵּ֖ר וּמַה־נִּצְטַדָּ֑ק הָאֱלֹהִ֗ים מָצָא֙ אֶת־עֲוֺ֣ן עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ הִנֶּ֤נּוּ עֲבָדִים֙ לַֽאדֹנִ֔י גַּם־אֲנַ֕חְנוּ גַּ֛ם אֲשֶׁר־נִמְצָ֥א הַגָּבִ֖יעַ בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Judah expressed, "What are we to say to our master? How can we justify ourselves? God has uncovered the wrongdoing of your servants." They once more recalled their actions towards Joseph. "Look, we are your servants, both we and the one in whose possession the cup was discovered." In this instance, they demonstrate a righteous attitude, willingly offering themselves, along with their brother Benjamin, into servitude.
Judah stated that God will reveal the wrongdoing of your servants, yet it is not this specific fault that will be uncovered, but rather another for which they will face proper judgment. Thus, it is not just he who has the cup discovered in his garment; we are all servants of our master.
Judas responded, “Lord, we have no words to defend ourselves, no excuses to offer! The Almighty punishes the hidden sins of His servants. We willingly submit ourselves as your servants. Allow us to serve you, along with the one from whom the cup was discovered.”
What can we say in response to this? They might argue that they were not the ones who filled and secured the bags. However, the evidence was undeniable, Joseph's demeanor was imposing, and it was impossible to refute the accusations. To avoid further irritating the ruler of Egypt with his justifications and grievances about betrayal, Judas appeals to his compassion. "God hath found the unrighteousness of thy servants." To find unrighteousness signifies uncovering, condemning, and punishing it (Hosea 12:8).
The basis for Judah’s acknowledgment lies in this understanding: "Our predicament is so dire that we lack adequate means to dispel suspicion from ourselves; consequently, regardless of the fairness or unfairness of the current accusations of theft, we admit that it is undoubtedly God’s judgement upon us for some hidden sin, and thus we are prepared to accept our fate." It is noteworthy that Judah, at this moment, reflected on the known wrongdoings of his brothers toward Joseph; however, being cautious to prevent provoking his judge further, he veils his confession with collective expressions (see Genesis 44:20, 28).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS